24 Saddle and Sirloin. 



he had only just finished his two years in Perth 

 Penitentiary for taking a mouthful of flesh out of a 

 policeman's leg. I had some pity on him, and I 

 wouldn't value Billy at 10/., so he couldn't be sent 

 to Jedburgh. He had the full benefit of ten days. 

 The baillie would have given him more for Billy's 

 sake, if he could. As for the man, he was gratitude 

 to the mast-head. ' Til never steal another dog from 

 yon! I thought he would come and call ; but I am 

 glad to say he didn't. ' I've got a good dog at Dal- 

 keith ; you can have it if you like. If you, ever want 

 one, write me! That is what he said : it showed his 

 heart was in the right place. It was a tremendous 

 undertaking stealing a public character like Billy — a 

 dog that everybody here knows and respects — a privi- 

 leged dog — goes round the town every forenoon, and 

 visits on his own hook — not a butcher's shop he dosen't 

 know, and he's very fond of confectionery too. He 

 may well be fat." 



The Doctor " took a notion" shortly after our visit, 

 and sallied forth with Ringwood, Royal, Collier, 

 Stormer, and Melody to look for an otter at Shields- 

 wood, where Jack Deans the keeper had several fox 

 litters. The otter had been a great night-traveller, 

 and between Ashkirk and Shieldswood loch the scent 

 was as hot as fire. Mrs. Grant commanded the terrier 

 contingent, of Teddy, Tom, Piper, Vixen, and My 

 Mary ; while Slash the Labrador, Billy, and the five 

 otter hounds were the Doctor's aides-de-camp as 

 usual. Jack was in a dreadful fright when the Din- 

 monts went to ground, lest it should be a vixen 

 fox, but it was the " right stuff," a regular thirty- 

 pounder, and out it came through the pack and into 

 the loch. There was plenty of music, and when it had 

 swum a ring it earthed again, and was drawn out by 

 the terriers. It was nearly off the second time, but 

 the Doctor dashed into the loch, seized it by the hind 

 legs, and fell trying to swing it up the bank. As the 



