68 Idle Days in Patagonia. 



pioneer of civilization in f.bo wilderness, and to show 

 even in old age and wlicn his sight had failed him, 

 of what stuff he was made. Killing slieep was liis 

 crime ; he had liunted the swift-footed cheviots 

 and black-faces on the bills and moors ; be bad 

 tasted tlieir blood and bad made tbe discovery that 

 it was sweet, and tbe ancient Avild dog instinct was 

 hot in bis heart. The new joy possessed bis whole 

 being, and in a moment swept away every restraint. 

 Tbe savage life was tbe oidy real life after all, and 

 what cared Major about the greatest happiness for 

 tbe greatest number, and new fangled notions 

 about the division of laltonr, in which so mean a 

 part was assigned him ! Was be to spend a paltry 

 puppy existence reti'ieving birds, first flushed by a 

 stupid pointei' or setter, and shot by a man with a 

 gun — tbe bird, after all, to be eaten bj^ none of 

 them ; and be, in retui'U for his share in tlie work, 

 to be fed on mild messes and biscuits, and beef, 

 killed somewhere out of sight In' a liutcher? Away 

 with such a complex state of things ! He would 

 not be stifled by such an artificial system ; he would 

 kill bis own mutton on tlie moors, and eat it raw 

 and warm in tbe good old fashion, and enjoj' life, 

 as, doubtless, every dog of spirit bad enjoyed it a 

 thousand j^ears ago ! 



This was not to be permitted on a well-conducted 

 estate ; and as it was thought that chains and 

 slavery would be less entbirable than death to a 

 dog of Major's spirit, to death be was forthwith 

 cnndemned. 



