A COLLIE IN THE DESERT 141 



He was inclined to be friendly but declined to be 

 petted. He walked close behind her until a 

 man appeared in the trail ahead. Then Jack 

 took the lead. When they were met by the 

 woman's husband Jack paused for a moment as 

 though to assure himself that she was well pro- 

 tected then trotted back down the trail. 



The following day Mrs. Helm sought out 

 Jack. He was excited and pleased with her 

 attention and easily persuaded to go home with 

 her. He received every attention and kindness 

 but his life here did not fit his instincts. He never 

 quite got used to being fed, and each time showed 

 surprise. He had inherited the desire to serve 

 but here he was served and treated almost like a 

 toy dog. He did not have the opportunity to do 

 anything, and he was capable of some big thing. 



Jack was with Mrs. Helm only a short time 

 when she moved to another town, taking him 

 with her. But a few weeks later she was called 

 East and left hurriedly. She remembered to 

 plan for his welfare but the woman who was to 

 care for him until her return suddenly died and 

 again Jack was homeless and adrift. 



He was seen with the coyotes miles from town, 

 and in a territory more than one hundred miles 

 from a region where I saw him three or four 

 years later. He apparently took up his life 

 with the coyotes. Little is known of his life 



