DOGS FOR THE GUN. 173 



one else, but all the energy of his rugged nature was used in 

 my behalf with an unwearied devotion which no exactions 

 could tire. As a shrewd gamekeeper observed, he was indeed 

 " a faithfu', faithfu' beast ! " 



His rough surly face comes before me now, looking up be- 

 seechingly for orders when wild-fowl were on the shore, and 

 ready to fulfil them to his last breath. On more than one 

 occasion, after a tremendous swim for crippled ducks, he fell 

 down on reaching land with his prey in his mouth, which only 

 death would have forced him to part with to any one but his 

 master. 



Twice I was obliged to pay a surgeon's bill, besides com- 

 pensation, for his savage attacks on beggars, and no collie 

 dared face him within reach of our home. Yet this dog on 

 the hearth-rug, amongst my little children, was as gentle as a 

 lamb, allowing them to pinch his ears and tread on his toes 

 without even indulging in a stifled growl. His disposition was 

 the more remarkable when contrasted with a small cocker, 

 which, though a great coward to grown-up people, resented any 

 such liberties from children by a ready snap. The retriever 

 was always considered the best guard possible for the little band ; 

 while the cocker, instead of defending them from enemies, might 

 very likely have bitten them himself on slight provocation. 



My other retriever was very different from his predecessor, 

 both in temper and appearance. He was not unlike a St 

 John's Newfoundland dog, though cast in a coarser mould and 

 with a rougher coat. His nature was kindly, yet he was 

 capable of great resolution in his sporting work. Although 

 inferior to the other as a water-dog, and not his equal on land 

 at smaller game, for deer and roe he was unrivalled. With 

 the most perfect promptness he obeyed every order, but had 

 no reflection to anticipate his master's instructions like his 

 smaller competitor. Indeed I never met with a dog pos- 

 sessed of this quality in such perfection as old Gruff. The 

 cause might be that the good-natured amiable dog studied to 



