BREEDS 229 



to tackle : with a long snake-like head, a pair of 

 alligator jaws, furnished with a set of teeth like 

 razors. When I bought him, I brought him south 

 to live in Edinburgh, and he soon accommodated 

 himself to his city surroundings. But the raiding 

 propensities of his ancestors were- strong in him, 

 and when he followed at heel in walks along the 

 streets, he always had an eye on the stalls in poor 

 quarters. His height brought him on a level with 

 the board ; he never could resist a tempting 

 delicacy, and would make a snatch at a bullock's 

 heart or a scrag of mutton. Then the hue and cry 

 would be raised, and there would be the scandal 

 and cost of a settlement. I mention that weakness 

 as illustrating his strength. Once a great, strong- 

 built mastiff on guard caught him in the act of 

 robbery, and very properly flew at him. Oscar 

 dropped the mutton, had the mastiff by the back of 

 the neck, rolled him over in the sawdust, and shook 

 him like a kitten. The watchdog's master, who was 

 rushing forward with a cleaver, came to a full stop 

 when he saw Oscar crouch for a spring ; luckily I 

 was at hand and had my f.ngers in his collar, 

 and at a word the roused lion was gentle as 

 a lamb. Otherwise he gave no trouble in a town, 

 except that, for a modest man, his good looks 

 attracted attention which was embarrassing. He 

 trotted closely at heel, occasionally rubbing his 

 muzzle against my hand to remind me he was 

 there. And when I rode, he followed the horse 

 at a gentle stretching gallop. He was a dark 



