The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-21
LADY DIxIE's PUCHo.
The Dog Which Became the Companion of
Lady Florence Dixie.
From "Across Patagonia"

| FROM ACROSS Patagonia.
ISandy Point is the place of embarkation, the
port, so to speak, of the Straits OF Magellan.l
l had only one regret on leaving Sandy
| Point. The day we arrived at Cabo Negro
one of our dogs, called "Pucho," who was
rather favorite of mine, and whom I wished
to take with me to England, was suddenly
missing Pucho, peculiar dog, had Joined
Us under peculiar circumstances at our
| camp at Laguna Larga. We were quietly
| sitting around the campfire after dinner,
| when suddenly the dogs jumped up and
began to bark furiously at some unseen
enemy. We got up and peered out into
the dusk, but could see nothing though
it was evident something there was,
| for the growls of our dogs increased in earn
| estness and fury every instant "a puma"
suggested somebody, but our horses were
grazing quietly, so it could not be puma.
AN Indian, or some trader, perhapsn' was
| another equally unfounded surmise. WIZ
could it be? Here, as if to settle the mystery
at once, the dogs rushed out of one accord,
and for few moments we could hear terri
bic snarling and growing going on in the dis
| lance. 1t came nearer, and then the cause
of the commotion was explained. Surround
ed by our dogs, who were giving it by no
means q friendly welcome, a strange dog
walked slowly toward the campfire. 1t bore
its tail between its legs, seeming half hum
bly,, half deiantly to crave admission
into our circle. Its humble demeanor, how
ever, only bore reference to us, for the defiant
manner in which it occasionally barred its
white teeth and turned on our dogs whenever
they came too near, showed that it cared lit
tie for them. We called out in friendly tones,
and this settled its bearing for once and for
all 1t turned round, made one savage dash
toward its tormentors and then calmly
made its way toward the fire, looked out for
the most comfortable spot, stretched itself
leisurey, ana lay down with its head resting
on its crossed paws, seeming as much at home
as If it had known us all its life. | ventured
to stroke it, but my advances were met in a
most unfriendly and, considering its position
Of alien ontcast, audaciously impairment
manner, for it snapped viciously at me.
From the first Pueblo made it point dis
tinctly of refusing to be patronized. He
joined US, he gave us to understand, not on
sutferance, not as a supplicant for our favors
not as a guest even, but as an equal and
this status he claimed as regards us only for
as to our dogs, be ignored them completely
though willing, as subsequently, appeared
to make use of their good services. He look
ed sleek and fat, circumstance which led
us to think highly of his powers of speed as
it is by no means easy for a dog to run down
guanaco singly, and most dogs who lose
their masters, as he had evidently done,
soon died of starvation. We therefore con-
we hoped he would be able to help our
own dogs in the chase. But we had
grievously reckoned without our host. The
next day, on the march, a guanaco was
sighted close to us. Now was the time.
'Choo! Choo! Puchool" we shouted, ex-
pecting TO see him speed out like arrow
after the guanaco. But nothing could have
been further from his thoughts. He looked
first at us and then at the guanaco for a mo-
ment, not without interest, perhaps, but
certainly without showing the slightest ind-
cation to hostile demonstration. Then with
flar OF nc IA oh, via; ,,I,
words could; well, that's a guanaco, no
doubt, but what them" he quietly trotted
on. We were very angry at seeing our hopes
deceived, besides being surprised at his ex-
traordinary demeanor; but Gregorius, an
Indian hunter and guide, giving
doubt, said that perhaps it had only been
trained to run ostriches, as the Indians fire.
quently train their dogs to do This
seemed plausible enough, and our confd-
ence in Pucho was momentarily restored.
Presently an ostrich started up. Now
then: "Choo Choo Pucho!" was the ex-
cited cry again. All the other dogs flew out
like the wind after the bird and Pueblo fol-
lowed them, but only at a trot and appar-
emily, merely to judge how the other dogs
| behaved, for he soon stopped and contented
| himself with watching the chase until it dis
appeared from view and then he came back
to his usual place at my horses heels Every
pody was enraged with him. Francisco sug-
gested that, being "bouche inutile," Pueblo
should be Knocked on the head with the
bolas, but l could not hear of this, and
Pucho's life was spared.
And so he remained with us, and I had
ample opportunities TO study his peculiar
character. As on the first day, so he con-
tinued Although generally here or there
abouts when distribution of the spoils took
place, he never once helped the dogs in the
chase. That this did not arise from in
ability or want of speed, but rather from a
sense of his own superior dignity, was shown
by the fact that he once was seen to pursue
and capture fox feat none of our other
dogs were capable Of Among other pecu-
liarities he had a mysterious way of dis
appearing if the days march was too long.
Where is Pucho?' was frequent cry, and
'Thank God, he's gone at last"
But so soon as the guanaco rib for dinner
was done to turn, the soup ready
and the fire blazing comfortably,
so sure would Pucho suddenly appear on the
scene look out for the most cosy spot near
the fire and cheerfully waiG his supper, as if
nothing had happened.
When, therefore, be was missing at Cabo
Negro, took little notice, thinking he would
be sure to turn up. But dinner-time came
and no Pucho; nor did he appear again
even when he went to Sandy Point. This
was the thought that was troubling me as we
walked down to the pier, for l had taken
! liking to the dog, or, 1 had better say, held
him in reverenta awe; for think he would
object himself to the term like" as savoring
| of patronage. Half absently, therefore before
going down the ladder into the boat turned
round to take last look for Pucho. Surely
that is dog coming down the street.
thought, as looked up; and RICH; enough,
it was dog, and what is more Pueblo him
self! There was no installing the calm mien;
the lesurely trot. He picked his way along
the battered pier half wagging his tail as he
saw me-a great condescension, and then,
without moments hesitation, led the way
down the ladder into the boat. l took him,
or rather he came to England with me- and
as l write he is sitting in the cosiest corner
| by my fire, privilege he allows my pet ter
rer to share with him, an act very foreign