48 MELTON AND HOMESPUN 



can't borrow dogs we'll steal 'em [he spoke quite seriously], 

 and if we can't get together a pack by dint of borrowing 

 or stealing, hanged if we won't buy up the Dogs' Home. 

 I saw the catchers net some varmint-looking curs in the 

 Market Square yesterday, and you may bet there will 

 be no end of dogs awaiting admittance to the lethal- 

 chamber — poor devils," rattled on my mercurial com- 

 panion, whom I verily believe would have spent the last 

 shilling he possessed to acquire the projected pack of 

 mongrels. 



The same evening Mervin and myself rode into town, 

 and having dined at the Rand Club, my friend proceeded 

 to try and borrow a dog from every man with whom he 

 had a " nodding " acquaintance. " Well, I've got a 

 pointer," or, " You may have my setters," were the kind 

 of replies made to Mervin's cool requests. But in most 

 cases the owners of the dogs would, after consenting to 

 lend their setter, pointer, or retriever, as the case might 

 be, ask, " What do you want the dog for, korhaan or 

 quail ? " 



" No ; otters," was the calm reply. 



" Otters, be d d, you can't have my dog for that 



kind of game," and away would go the canine owner in a 

 huff. We — or rather Jack — managed to " bag " two and a 

 half couple from different members of the Club — namely, a 

 bull terrier (blind of an eye), one Irish and two fox-terriers, 

 an ancient spaniel (he went on three legs by choice) and 

 a powerful skewbald animal of many and doubtful breeds, 

 who was promptly " christened " Window Shutter. 

 Upon leaving the Club we paid a visit to the stables of 

 the principal horse-dealer in the place, who promised 

 to bring as many dogs as he could commandeer to the 



