Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-02-24
THE SHEPHERD-DOG.


THE SHEPHERD-DOG.
Notwithstanding his wild and melancholy
looks he is patient, persevering, and most
faithfully attached TO his master. 1t is Gu
rious TO see how carefully in this country he
he will gather and drive a flock of sheen.
with more skill than any man or boy could
do it. But in the Highlands of Scotland.
where the winters are long and severe, and
the snow-dritts are very deep among the
mountains, these dogs are still more useful /;
and wonderful stories are told Of their sense
and usefulness. The following is known to
be a true one.
The valleys, or glens as they are called,
amongst the Grampian mountains, are chief
y inhabited by shepherds. There are no
fences or boundaries in these wild parts. but
every shepherd has his own range, which
reaches so far that he never sees the whole of
his flock together, except when they are COL
lected for shearing. Every day he has to 90
to the distant parts Of his range, and with his
faithful dog to turn back any Struggling sheep
that might wander beyond his own bound.
INTO his neighbor's land. In one of these
rambles a shepherd took his little boy. about
three years old, as is the custom with the
Highlanders, to season them to the cold Of
the climate. After going about the pas-
lures Tor some time, the shepherd with his dog
climbed a very steep hill, that he might gain
a wider view of his scattered flock. But
fearing TO tire the child, lle left him in a shell.
tered spot, charging him not to stir ill he
came back. But hardly had he reached the
top OF the hill, when the sky was suddenly
darkened by one ofthe very thick mists which
often come down suddenly on these mount
ans, and shut out every object from the eve.
The father, feeling anxious for his child.
fastened down but owing to the darkness
and his own fright, he lost his way. He
wandered long among the dangerous boys
and waterfalls which abound in these desert
places; stlll he went on and on till be came
to the edge OF the mist, and then he saw by
the light OF the moon, that he had reached
his own valley, and was within a short dis
lance OF his cottage. Ii was impossible to re-
new the search for The poor child that night
as soon as morning began to dawn. he
set out with a party of his neighbors. All
that day he crossed the mountains TO and fro.
into every dark hollow and cleft .
to no purpose. The dog however. had
returned home, and after receiving his usual
OF cake, had run off, and was still
absent. Day alter day, the heart broken
father renewed his search, and the neiehbor-
ing shepherds left the care OF their flocks
seek for the lost child in every mart NJ.
Lhelr Inherent ranges but still in vain.-
L mere was not the least mark of a small foot
step on the damp grass. The father strain
ed his ear to listen but there was no feeble
cry mixed with the loud roar of the water
ialls and the b~ieating of the iocks. Yet still
when he came hack TO the cottage At niobt
found that the dog had been for his allow
nee OF food and then gone off again. Be
ng struck'with this, he stayed at home ill
he dog set off again with his cake, and fol-
owed him.. The faithful creature led him
o a Wild waterfall at some distance from The
pot where the child had been left. II was
| dreadful place. The high cliffs on each
ide almost met together at the top, but be-
ow It was a fearful dark hollow. The dog
instantly began TO make his way down one
these steep cliffs, and at last, went into a
ave nearly close TO the roaring waterfall.
he shepherd followed with difficulty. You
nay guess what he felt when he saw his bow
mere safe, eating the cake which the doc
lad brought, while the faithful animal stood
y watching him with looks ofplcasure.
from the chIld's own account. and the
lace IN which he was found, it appeared that I,
g had wandered TO the edge of the cliff :
nd then either fallen or scrambled down tiIll {
e reached the cave-when there, the fear !
fthe waterfalls prevented his leaving tt
ne dog, by means of his scent, had track I
a HIM to the spot, and then had hindered /
from starving by giving up TO him his j
ally allowance. He seemed never to have /
the child night or day, except when he a
home for his food, and then he was +
zen running at full speed to and from the n
!,
q NnD one III