The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-23
THE SHEPHERDS DOG.

A shepherd who inhabited one of those valleys
or glens which lntersect The Crampian Mountains
in one Of his excursions to look after his flock,
happened to carry along with him one of his
children; an infant of three years old. This is
not an unusual practice among the Highlanders,
who accustom their childrenfrom earliest infan-
cy to endure the rgors of the climate. Aftertra
versing his pastures for some time, attended by
his dog, the shepherd found himself under the ne
cessity of ascending summit at some distance,
to have more extensive view of his range.-As
the ascent was too fatgung for the child he left
him on a small plain at the bottom, with strict
lnJunctlons not TO stir from il till his return
Scarcely, however had he gained the summit,
when the horizon was darkened by one of those
impenetrable mists which frequently descend so
rapidly amidst these mountains as, In the space
of few minutes, almost to turn day to night.
The anxious father instantly fastened back to
find his child; but owing to the unusual darkness,
and his own trepidation, unfortunately missed
his way in the descent After fruitless search
of many hours, he discovered he had reached the
bottom ofthe valley, and was near his own cot
tage. To renew the search that night was
equally fruitess and dangerous; he was therefore
compelled to go home, although he had lost both
his child and dog,who had attended-him faithfully
for many years. Next morning, by break OF day,
the shepherd, accompanied by band Of his neigh
bours, set out in search of his child; but, after
day spent in frutless fatigue he was at last com
PEELED by the approach ofnight to descend from
the mountain. On returning home TO his cottage,
he found that the dog which he had lost the day
before had been home, and on receiving piece
of cake, had instantly gone off again For seye-
raj successive days the shepherd renewed his
search for his child; and STILL on returning home
disappointed in the evening, he found that the
dog had been home and on receiving his usual
allowance of cake, had instantly disappeared
Struck with this singular circumstance, he re-
NAMED at home one day, and when the dog, as
usual, departed with his piece Of cake, he resov-
ed to follow him, and find out the cause OF this
strange procedure The dog led the way to..a
cataract at some distance from the spot where
the shepherd had left his child. The banks Of
the almost joined at the top yet, separated
by an abyss of immense depth, presented that APP
pearance which so often astonishes and appals
the travellers that frequent the Grampian noun
tains. Down one of those rugged, and almost
perpendicular descents, the dog began without
hesitation to make his way and at last disappeared
by entering into cave; the mouth OF which was
almost level with the torrent. The shepherd,
with difficulty followed, but on entering the cave,
what were his emotions when he beheld his infant
eating with much satisfaction the cake which the
dog had just brought him; while the faithful
animal stood by, cycling his young charge with
the utmost compaisance! From the situation
in which the child was found, it appeared that
he had wandered to the brink OF the preclplce,
and then either fallen or scrambled down till he
reached the cave. The dog, by means OF his
scent, had traced him to the spot: and alter
wards prevented him from starving, by giving
upto him his own daily allowance