FIGHTS AND FEUDS 



Sheppy has defended his dominions successfully, but 

 in all previous battles he has had to deal with one 

 dog at a time. But it seems that the present in- 

 vaders have learned in many coon-fights that team 

 play is best and their tactics have been surprising 

 and somewhat discomfiting. Sheppy scorns to at- 

 tack the terrier, which wouldn't make a decent 

 mouthful for him, but when he grapples with the 

 hound the terrier catches him by a hind leg or by the 

 tail, and as I guess a little dog's bite hurts just as 

 much as a big one's, Sheppy can't give his undivided 

 attention to the hound. I am told that in the first 

 scrap he kept whirling around distributing his bites 

 impartially and managed to chase both the other 

 dogs off the farm, but in later attacks they worried 

 him some. When I came home he whimpered around 

 me and showed me his scratched nose and tried his 

 best to tell me about his troubles. He had done his 

 best to protect the farm during my absence at the 

 village, and it was quite evident from his manner 

 that he thought he deserved some praise and petting. 

 I sympathised with him entirely, but I half regret 

 that the ditchers have moved on with their dogs. 

 I shall not have a chance to see Sheppy in action 

 with two dogs. But I never have any luck. 



193 



