MEMORIES OF GLENAUGH. 79 



gaunt peasant, who disappeared so quickly the 

 moment I paid him that it struck me his ver- 

 sion of how Sam came into his hands was open 

 to doubt. However, I did not dwell much on 

 this, and as I took my acquisition downstairs 

 to give him supper I felt highly gratified with 

 my bargain. A coal-black pointer is not com- 

 mon, and Sam was as black as a conscientious 

 nigger melodist. He was of great size, and 

 about three years old. I brought him out 

 early next morning along with a small retriev- 

 ing spaniel. There was a slight moisture in 

 the turnips and stubble, and Sam (who quar- 

 tered and beat about his ground in excellent 

 style) to my surprise began gradually, as it 

 were, to grow pale all over. I called him to 

 heel, and passed my hand down his coat, when 

 lo ! I found that the poor animal had been as 

 carefully black-leaded as an ornamental grate, 

 and that the stuff was coming off with the wet. 

 I made him swim in a dyke, and when he 

 rolled and shook himself after it he discovered 

 his real quality or suit, white and brown, and I 

 was glad to observe that he did not alter his 

 complexion again in the course of the day. 



