CH. IV. SKYE TERRIERS. 47 



face from under a chair or sofa, for dogs are great 

 physiognomists. Then, on seeing that I am gene- 

 rally too pleased at his return to be angry at his 

 absence, he comes out of his place of refuge wrig- 

 gling his long rough body about in all sorts of 

 coaxing but uncouth attitudes, and at last, putting 

 his honest rough face in my hand or on my knee, 

 he finds that peace is declared, and he waits 

 patiently till I take hat in hand again ; for once 

 having explored the streets, he seems to take no 

 further interest in the place. 



There is no end or limit to the quaint conceits 

 of some terriers of this kind, when they live in con- 

 stant intercourse with their masters. Fred's great 

 attachment to my children, too, makes him a uni- 

 versal favourite in the house, and he walks about 

 with them amongst their pet animals, apparently 

 taking as much interest in them as the children do 

 themselves. I must say, however, that he requires 

 a formal introduction to any new living acquisition 

 of this kind ; but once introduced to them, they 

 are safe from his strong white teeth for ever. 



These terriers are excellent swimmers, and are 

 apparently as much at their ease in the water as 

 on land. Fred is as web-footed as an otter. Some 

 dogs dislike accompanying one to the river side only 

 to look on. Indeed, one retriever which I had be- 



