138 WAITING IN THE WILDERNESS 



drive it. He appeared to think that something 

 ought to be done but he did not know what and 

 no one came to tell him. 



I sat and watched him for a long time. Ex- 

 cept for a mere glance which told me that he 

 knew of my presence, he paid no attention. The 

 goats moved much nearer me and when Jack 

 eagerly rose to follow them I spoke to him. He 

 came close and lay down and looked far away to 

 the horizon. Presently he came closer; at last 

 he stood by my side and allowed me to pet him. 

 There was a show of satisfaction but further 

 than this no response. 



This collie was no one's dog. He had never 

 had a home and no longer seemed to miss one, 

 but he was lost without work to do. Through- 

 out his strange life he appeared to be ever in 

 search of a flock of sheep and a master to direct 

 him. Often he was seen to approach a lone cow 

 or stray pig as though with a definite object in 

 mind. But he never did more than to lie near, 

 watching them. Thrust into an unfortunate en- 

 vironment, without a master, without any work 

 or responsibility or any training, he simply grew 

 up. He never had the chance to be the most 

 that he was capable of, but perhaps he was better 

 off than the other dogs of the town, for he was 

 more wide-awake and more courageous. An ordi- 

 nary cur dog will not seriously miss a master, 



