80 The Carnivora. 
chance” of being made the target of a black’s spear from 
behind a tree, and the keenest eye will in vain endeavour to 
catch sight of the native as he glides from tree to tree or 
crawls through the grass. But the preternatural sharpness of 
the dog’s senses of hearing and smell will often supply the 
warning which puts the shepherd on his guard, gives him time 
to level his gun in the direction of the approaching danger, 
and show the enemy that retreat is the safest course for the 
present. When travelling with sheep,and camping them out 
‘in the bush on dark nights, the dingoes prowling round 
would certainly succeed in their frequent attempts to rush 
the flock, were it not for the vigilant ear of the shepherd’s 
dog, quick to detect those stealthy movements and make 
a dash at the marauder, who never waits to try conclusions 
with his civilised relation, unless he gets fairly “bailed up” 
by «a couple of sheepdogs. 
For the first week after my arrival at the hut, where 
the poor old man had paid the penalty of his incautiousness 
with his life, I exercised the most minute precautions 
against surprise; sleeping hardly an hour at a time, sending 
the dog round the sheep yard half a dozen times during the 
night, and never letting the gun out of my hand. Many 
were the indications that I was watched unceasingly, both 
at night and when out with the sheep, for that opportunity 
which the patient savage always seeks of striking a certain 
blow without risking a charge of swan shot from that 
terrible weapon carried on the white man’s arm. 
It is in circumstances such as these that one learns 
how valuable are the much more acute perceptions of the 
dog in drawing attention to indications of the presence 
of the human enemy which he can distinguish from the 
scent or sound of animals. It is interesting to mark his 
anxious demeanour throughout the day, and observe his 
abiding consciousness of responsibility until the sheep are 
safely housed in the pens just before sundown, and _ his 
master sets to work to boil the “billy ” of tea, and prepare 
