326 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



first checked at tlie line was where the man put 

 down the deer, and then went to tell the men 

 on the line that they should share in the venison 

 if they said nothing about it. The dog at once 

 found out the alteration, but at first could not 

 make it out ; he therefore ran the same footsteps 

 for some distance, but at last detected by his nose 

 that the deer was no longer carried by the men. 



Having made up his mind thus far, he returned 

 at full speed to the exact spot, and there found 

 that the men had resumed their burden, and 

 he raced them without further hindrance to 

 the end. 



In this instance, what was the scent that the 

 dog ran? It was neither from the foot nor the 

 breath, nor the blood of the deer ; for, to prevent 

 any blood from being spilt, the thieves had tied 

 up the throat of the deer Avhich had been cut 

 with a handkerchief Yet, for all this, the dog- 

 by his nose ascertained that when the men put 

 down their burden they were no longer worthy 

 of pursuit, and, remembering at once and through 

 reflection, the spot where the change took place, 

 lie ceased from chasing the depredators when they 

 went to the platelayers no longer j^ossessed of the 



