Leaping a Brook, 89 



CHAPTER V. 



SOME OF HIS SUBJECTS: DOGS, RABBITS, 'MICE, 

 AND SUCH SMALL DEER.' 



When a dog, young and yet unskilled, follows his 

 master across the meadows, it often happens that he 

 meets with difficulties which sorely try the capacity 

 of the inexperienced brain. The two come to a 

 broad deep brook. The man glances at the opposite 

 bank, and compares in his mind the distance to the 

 other side with other distances he has previously 

 leaped. The result is not quite satisfactory ; some- 

 how a latent doubt develops itself into a question of 

 his ability to spring over. He cranes his neck, looks 

 at the jump sideways to get an angular measurement, 

 retires a few paces to run, shakes his head, deliberates, 

 instinctively glances round as if for assistance or 

 advice, and presently again advances to the edge. 

 No ; it will not do. He recalls to mind the division 

 of space into yards, feet, and inches, and endeavours 

 to apply it without a rule to the smooth surface of 



