THE DOG. 75 



Depredator on sheep Nocturnal excursions. 



that the destruction he made was immense; as 

 the fat of one sheep a-day would hardly satisfy 

 his hunger. The farmers, alarmed by his depre- 

 dations, pursued him with hounds, greyhounds, 

 &c. but, when the dogs came up to him, he lay 

 down on his back, as if supplicating for mercy, 

 and in that position they would not attempt to 

 hurt him. He therefore used to lie quietly till 

 the men approached; when he made off, without 

 being followed by the hounds, till they were again, 

 excited to the pursuit, which always terminated 

 unsuccessfully. He wa^ one day pursued to a 

 distance of upwards of thirty miles; but returned!' 

 to the place whence? started, and killed sheep 

 the same evening. His constant residence dur- 

 ing the day, was upon a rock on the Hengh-hill, 

 near Howick, where he had a view of four roads 

 that approached it; and in March, 1?85, after 

 many fruitless attempts, he was at last shot 

 there. 



In the year 1796, a farmer, at a village near 

 Southwick, in the county of Hants, had a small 

 brown spaniel, which being used regularly to 

 hunt with his master in the neighbouring manors, 

 became so enamoured with the sport, that he 

 frequently went from home in the night to 

 course, if he could entice any of his companions 

 to follow; and always returned with game in his 

 mouth. This so disconcerted the master, for 

 fear of offending the neighbouring gentry, that 

 he ordered him ever after to be locked up early 



