40 The Shepherd's Bog. 



Perfectly convinced of some inexplicable disquie- 

 tude from the situation in which his master lay, he set 

 off at a pace, which soon brought him to the house, 

 where he scratched with great violence at the door for 

 immediate admittance. — This obtained, the parents 

 were in the utmost alarm and consternation at his ap- 

 pearance, but more particularly when they had ex- 

 amined the handkerchief and its contents. — Instantly 

 concluding beyond a doubt, that some accident had 

 befallen their son, they did not delay a moment going 

 in search of him ; and the dog, apparently conscious 

 the principal part of his duty was yet to be performed, 

 anxiously led the way and conducted the agitated pa- 

 rents to the spot where their son lay overwhelmed with 

 pain, increased by the awful uncertainty of his situa- 

 tion. — Happily this was effected just at the close of 

 day, when being immediately removed, and the neces- 

 sary assistance procured, he soon recovered, and was 

 never more pleasingly engaged than when reciting the 

 sagacity and gratitude of his faithful follower, ^vho then 

 became his constant companion." 



The instances of intelligence in the shepherd's dog- 

 are recorded in all books treating of the manners and 

 habits of the dog tribe. One more may be mentioned 

 from a recent publication. It is given for the pur- 

 pose of stimulating the American farmer to possess 

 himself of one of the breed as soon as possible. — 

 Speaking of the " Currach of Kildare," the author says, 

 " The commonage is stocked by a prescriptive pro- 



