2G CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



In the evening, when about to put this threat into execution, she found tlie little dog established in 

 ore eornei' of the room, and the large one standing before it. Endeavouring to fulfil her intention by 

 drawing off the large dog, he plainly gave her to understand that he was not at all disposed to 

 relinquish his post. She then tried to get at the little dog behind him ; but the threatening gesture 

 and fiercer growl of the large one sufficiently indicated that the attempt would not be a little perilous. 

 The result was that she was obliged to abandon her design. 



There was a Newfoundland dog on board the liellonn, who kept the deck during the battle of 

 Copenhagen, running backward and forward with so brave an anger, that he became a greater 

 favourite with the men than ever. When the ship was paid off, after the peace of Amiens, the sailors 

 had a parting dinner on shore. Victor, as he was called, was placed in the chair, and fed with roast 

 beef and plum pudding; and the bill was made out in Victor's name. 



Dogs of this species can swim very fast, dive with easi 1 , and bring things up from the bottom of 

 the water. Other dogs can swim, but not so willingly, or so well. The Newfoundland owes this 

 superiority to the structure of the foot, which is semi-webbed between the toes ; thus presenting an 

 extended surface to press away the water from behind, and then collapsing when it is drawn forward, 

 previous to making the stroke. This property, joined to great courage and a generous disposition, 

 enable this dog to render important services in preserving endangered life, of which there are many 

 instances. 



A Newfoundland dog, for example, kept at the ferry-house at Worcester, became famous from 

 having saved, at different periods, three persons from drowning. So fond was he of the water, that lie 

 seemed to consider any disinclination to it as a reflection, at least, on the species. If a dog was left 

 on the bank by its master, and, in the idea that it would have to follow the boat across the river, stood 

 yelping at the bottom of the steps, unwilling to take the water, this veteran would go down to him, 

 and, with a satirical growl, take him by the back of the neck, and throw him into the Severn. 



To take another instance : A native of Germany, fond of travelling, was pursuing his course 

 through Holland, accompanied by a large Newfoundland dog. Walking, one evening, on a high bank, 

 which formed one side of a dike or canal so common in that country his foot slipped, and he was 

 precipitated into the water, and, being unable to swim, soon became senseless. On recovering Ins 

 recollection, he found himself in a cottage on the opposite side of the dike to that from which he had 

 fallen, surrounded by peasants, who had been using the means so generally practised in that country 

 to restore suspended animation. 



The account they gave was, that one of them, returning from his labour, saw, at a considerable 

 distance, a large dog in the water, swimming and dragging, and sometimes pushing, something which 

 he seemed to have great difficulty in supporting, but which he at length succeeded in getting into a 

 small creek on the opposite side to that on which the men were. When the dog had pulled what he 

 had hitherto supported as far out of the water as he was able, the peasant discovered it was the body 

 of a man. The dog, having shaken himself, began zealously to lick the hands and face of his master, 

 while the peasants hastened across and obtained the aid that had proved successful. 



Two very considerable bruises, with the marks of teeth, appeared on the shoulder of the do.u's 

 master, and on the nape of the neck ; whence, it was supposed, the dog first seized him by the shoulders, 

 and swam with him in this manner for some time, but that he then shifted his grasp to the neck, by 

 which he had been able to support the head out of the water. It was in the latter position that the 

 peasant observed the dog make his way along the dike, and which he appeared to have done for nearly 

 a quarter of a mile. It is, therefore, probable that this gentleman owed his life as much to the dog's 

 sagacity as his fidelity. 



That a dog of 'this kind will generously interfere in behalf of strangers in peril is evident, from 

 the following fact : A gentleman, named Phillips, was on a visit to Portsmouth, for the sake of sea- 

 bathing ; and, on one occasion, having ventured out too far, was in imminent danger of drowning. 

 His two daughters, perceiving his danger, were very anxious to send to his assistance, but the boatmen, 

 taking advantage of their alarm, demanded an enormous sum. During this conference, the unfortunate 

 gentleman was in great extremity, and had scarcely strength to keep himself up, when a Newfoundland 

 dog suddenly appeared, dashed gallantly into the water, swam out boldly to his assistance, and succeeded 

 in bringing him safely to shore. This dog belonged to a butcher's man ; and Mr. Phillips, full of 



