MY DOGS AND OTHERS 251 



I had been asked to destroy to a man who owed 

 me a sovereign (lent to him for a fortnight). He 

 sold the dog for six pounds, but never paid me 

 my pound. 



During my last game-keeping season I took a 

 terrier to help make up for lack of beaters at a small 

 shoot. She had a wonderful nose, and would pull 

 up setter-like when going at full speed if she winded 

 game. At lunch -time I saw one of the guns fondling 

 her ; he asked me casually if I wanted to sell her, 

 and I said no. ' I'd give you a piece of paper for 

 her,' he added. The end of it was that I agreed to 

 let him have her so soon as I could spare her, for 

 she was acting the part of spaniel on formal occa- 

 sions. I bought her for a crown, on the strength 

 of her looks, from an indoor man-servant who had 

 been ordered to get rid of her, because she was 

 unclean in the house and useless at rats. The first 

 time I took her out she killed three good-sized 

 young stoats, and ever afterwards was game for 

 anything, and indoors, beyond reproach. There is 

 no better dog for killing game over than a terrier, 

 if only one can get it under control, which is not 

 easy. 



Years ago I was the lucky owner of two little 

 smooth-haired fox-terriers, which were a great deal 

 more obedient than modern children as sensible as 

 human beings, and useful beyond compare. Ah, 

 what little pictures they were, and how true ! You 



