220 MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 



that is said to them, and to act as if in obedience to reason 

 and induction. 



They are, in their purest shape, jet black or dingy red ; 

 any intermixture of white, beyond a slight frill on the 

 breast, is indicative of Labrador blood. This breed obtains 

 in great excellence on the eastern shore of Maryland, 

 through Patapsco Neck, on the Gunpowder, and up the 

 Chesapeake Bay, where they are considered of unrivalled 

 excellence among the duck-shooters. 



These dogs are the descendants of a dog and bitch, the 

 former red, the latter black, which were obtained by Mr. 

 Law, of Baltimore, from an English vessel bound from 

 Newfoundland to Poole in England. They were stated 

 to be a pair of pups procured for the owner of the vessel, 

 of the most approved Newfoundland breed, but of differ- 

 ent families, and were obtained by the sailors from the 

 English captain as a matter of favor. Their progeny 

 retains the original color, particularly the red hue of the 

 dog, and all the characteristic excellences of the breed. 



" Their patience and endurance," says Dr. Lewis in 

 his edition of Youatt, " are very great when pursuing 

 wounded ducks through the floating ice, and when fatigued 

 from extraordinary exertions, are known to rest themselves 

 upon broken portions of ice, till sufficiently recovered again 

 to commence the chase. We have seen some of the de- 

 scendants of these sagacious animals on the Chesapeake, 

 engaged not only in bringing the ducks from the water 

 when shot, but also toling them into shore within range 

 of the murderous batteries concealed behind the blind." 



The points by which they may be known are, the long, 



