Sketches in the East and West 297 



Susan led him out for the first hundred yards; 

 and he had a tendency to false point. He was 

 perfectly independent in ranging and, if he did 

 not check himself for a half-point at nothing, 

 would go faster and faster for a long cast. 



" I believe I can make a first-class all-age dog 

 of Jeff," said the handler, "but I don't believe 

 there's time to get him over these ways this fall. 

 He's going to need forcing away from rabbits and 

 stinkbirds, and a good lot of quail and chicken 

 killed over him to make him want to get there 

 from the start. It looks to me as if his mind 

 needed making up about what he's out for. He 

 can go fast, and he acts as if he had the stuff in 

 him. I look for him to get better all the time. 

 Susan will have more friends if she never goes 

 to the trials. Most people would love her for a 

 shooting dog. A boy could handle her in a 

 week. She just naturally likes to please. Some 

 of these fellows who can't manage a wide-going 

 dog would be tickled with her. You could work 

 her on any game you pleased. You're the home- 

 body. Miss Susan." 



Dan was brought out again as a trial horse for 

 the Laverack. The latter had a jaunty, cocky 

 style, head well up and stern switching merrily. 

 There was nothing to keep him from being a 

 fast dog except his disposition. With good 

 conformation and free action, he went a pace at 



