1 82 AN ENGLISH GAMEKEEPER. 



I had another dog called " Sailor," who was 

 a rum *un, but as good as he was rough. I 

 remember the time well, though it is a good 

 many years ago, I was in the meadow adjoining 

 the house, feeding some young birds, when one 

 of the footmen came and called me, saying 

 that the Squire wanted to see me at once, Off 

 we went together and met the Squire on the 

 lawn. "Ah, Wilkins/" said he, "I've just 

 come in by train ana brought a retriever back 

 with me ; he's one of the most savage dogs I 

 ever had anything to do with, I've got him in a 

 crate now, and he won't let anybody come 

 near him, he flies and snaps at their hands with 

 such a vengeance that we could hardly get 

 him out of the guard's van, and we were at 

 last obliged to roll him out on to the platform, 

 At first they got a clothes prop and put it 

 through the crate, but he seized it in his teeth 

 and held it like a vice. I want you to go 

 down and see what you can do, I thought I 

 was about master of dogs, but I can't master 

 this one. Be careful what you do, Wilkins, 

 and mind you don't get hurt." 



