40 The Fox Terrier. 



quality. He is as near perfection as we poor mortals are 

 ever allowed to feast our eyes upon. His temper is so 

 beautiful, and his pluck undeniable, for I choked him off 

 a dog fox. You will naturally ask how I came to know 

 about his pluck? I will tell you. Since they came here 

 I have kept both Tartar and Jock chained up in two 

 separate horse boxes, because they are warmer than the 

 kennels. Yesterday morning I gave Jock a run before 

 I went to meet the hounds, and after my return from 

 hunting I did the same kind office for Tartar. He went 

 with me very kindly, as he had very frequently done 

 before ; indeed, they both recognised my voice, and were 

 mad to come to me whenever they heard it ; when 

 suddenly, without the least provocation, he started away, 

 and ran back full tilt to the stable, the door of which was 

 open, and in one moment fastened upon Jock. I caught 

 hold of him instantly, put his foot into my mouth, and bit 

 it with all my force, choking him with my left hand at the 

 same time ; and no harm — or very little — would have 

 happened had not Jock resented the insult, and had him 

 across the nose. This enabled Tartar, when I had freed 

 him from Jock's fore leg, to seize his hind leg. But I 

 soon released him, and took Jock in my arms. Tartar 

 fastened on my servant, and bit him severely. The 

 whole thing has annoyed me dreadfully, that I am sure 

 you will readily believe jealousy is the cause of this 

 mischief." 



Alas ! for blue blood and terriers ; our remaining support 

 of the past generation likewise possesses but a doubtful 

 parentage. There has always been a hesitancy about 

 this, and so Old Trap's pedigree has been the source of 

 perpetual correspondence, poor old dog ! Here is what 



