THE COUNTRY HOME [chapter 



tively converse with his master. One dog was 

 trained to run between the horses' hind legs, to 

 prevent interference. In this way everything about 

 the farm was cooperative in its intelligence. 



Can we ever reach the ideal life of peace on 

 earth, when the lion and the lamb will lie down to- 

 gether ? I believe this depends, not upon the ani- 

 mals so much, as upon the one who claims to be 

 their master. Pictures that point in that direc- 

 tion seem to me so beautiful that I am inclined to 

 quote from the New York Sun its story of a gypsy, 

 living at Northwood, N. Y. : " Breek, that being his 

 name, found no difficulty in surrounding himself 

 with bluejays, mink, and rabbits, who came freely 

 to his door to be fed and to listen to his voice." 

 It used to be said of Thoreau that foxes would go 

 to him with confidence. They certainly would flee 

 from hunters, and betake themselves to this North- 

 wood hermit. " It is believed that Breek's eyes 

 have something to do with his power over animals. 

 They are dark, full of luster, and direct in their gaze. 

 A dog, angry at a child for having stepped on its 

 tail, on the porch of a store, started to snap at it. 

 Breek said something quickly, and the dog, at a 

 single glance, slunk away promptly." 



[336] 



