Mrs. Pringle’s Terrier. 207 
human being could have done in the circumstances; and 
to him I am indebted for all the knowledge I possess 
of the habits of wounded ducks when endeavouring to 
evade pursuit. 
Though we have, by selection, obtained such contrasts in 
size as that between the Newfoundland and toy terrier, and 
though, in many cases, we have rendered the appearance of 
the dog quite ridiculous, we have not thereby injuriously 
influenced his mental and moral character. Among my 
canine acquaintances was one belonging to my friend Mrs. 
C. S. Pringle—a black and tan toy terrier, with goggle eyes, 
and a skull suggestive of water on the brain—who stood 
second to none in intelligence and in devotion to his mistress. 
This gallant little fellow, the moment he was outside the 
door, constituted himself the champion of his mistress. As 
soon as a dog appeared in the far distance, “Drei” started 
off on the war-path, determined to demolish the biggest 
foe. It was a treat to see him circling round the enemy 
on the tips of his toes, challenging the adversary to the 
battle in as mighty a voice as ever issued from the breast 
of a guinea pig; but always too magnanimous to take advan- 
tage of his conscious pluck and determination by striking 
the first blow. This noble forbearance was the admiration 
of all who, knew him, for I am certain he never regarded 
size as of any importance in battle. He seemed to say to 
the other dog, “I don’t intend to disgrace myself by be- 
ginning a vulgar row; but, if you really mean fighting, you 
can have plenty of that here, let me tell you.” As a 
natural consequence of this morally and physically unassail- 
able position, the other dog always retired abashed, and 
“ Drei” returned to his mistress’s side, rejoicing in his blood- 
less victory. ; j 
One day Mrs. Pringle came home in much tribulation, 
bearing the little warrior on her arm, wounded and dejected, 
and said that, as he was passing a fence, a fox terrier dashed 
suddenly through a hole, and gave him a severe shaking, 
