146 MEN OF PAST DAYS. 



and Snake ' — to Plymouth, a distance of about fifty 

 miles. To prevent the dog's being lost or taken, 

 we fastened him up in a stable after feeding him for 

 the night. The next morning the ostler incautiously 

 opened the door. The dog, taking advantage of this, 

 escaped, and, not seeing any of us about, retraced his 

 steps to Kenford, where he arrived footsore the same 

 evening, about six o'clock. To have accomplished 

 this he must have passed through many towns, 

 villages, and hamlets, without mistaking his way, or 

 allowing himself to be turned aside for a moment 

 from his course by the interference of other dogs or 

 any kind of obstacle. 



At the moment of writing I am reminded that, at 

 the Porchester station, between Cosham and Fareham, 

 on the South-Western Railway, there is a clog to be 

 seen that is quite a character in its way. It is a sort 

 of Clumber spaniel, lemon and white. It gives notice 

 of each stopping train, generally before, but always 

 on the moment of its appearing in sight. On its 

 approach he rises up from the mat where he is 

 generally lying, and trots up and down the platform, 

 wa^aino; his tail and barking continuously. I saw 

 him myself in July last, when, long before I could 

 see the train approaching, he commenced barking all 

 along the platform, and ran down the steps to the 

 yard below, and outside, still giving tongue, as 

 though to warn passengers of the near arrival of the 

 train. The most curious point is, as the station- 



