Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-12-10
A MASTIFF STORY.
The Lives of Two Travellers Saved by an
Intelligent Dog.

The Lives of Two Travellers Saved bv an
Intelligent Dog.
Writing in the FancierS' Gazette, Rev.
Fl. +. E. Van Doorne tells the follow
ing story: You must remember that
fearful and almost unprecedented snow
storm of 1881. Business matters had
called me over to Belgium. It had
showed there for many days l was
staying at friends house in the coun-
try between Bruger and Client On
January 16 we arranged to start on
sledging expedition to some friends at
distance We arrived at Deynze on
the morning of the 18th, and were to
proceed homeward in the afternoon.
AS the frost was SO intense and the
wind SO high, with a thick unceas-
ing fall OF drifting snow, my friends
kindest of partners had CONSIDERABLY
and thoughtfully dispatched a covered
wagonette to meet us. We took our
seat in the trap and moved on. 1t was
then about four o'clock p. m. At
small village called Vynckt about four
miles from home, and quite in sight Of
our village steeple, friends ran up and
begged US not to attempt crossing the
stream and lowlands down the hollow,
which separated us from our home. But
we persevered in our obstinate resolve,
ceeded on our way. 1t did not take
long before we found out our mistake.
A mile or so further the road began to
hollow between two banks and we stood
blocked. The horse had no firm hold I'M
der him, and the carriage had for sever
al yards simply been dragged snow-plow-
like through the snow. We quietly
jumped out, sent our man for help and
rescue, dug horse and traps out of their
embedded position, and landed them
safely at neigh boring farm, and, leav-
ing baggage behind with the coachman
to look after it all, my friend, and Vera
set out to reach home on foot. We were
perfectly acquainted with the ground;
it was my friends shooting preserve,
and though most perilous to stranger,
we had no hesitat ton in undertaking
the task We left the road altogether
and took to the crest of the fields. 1t,
however, soon become patent that know
Ing country in spring, summer and au-
ter like this. when exceptionally covered
in by some eighteen inches of snow.
The fields looked as level as sheet; it
was utterly impossible to discover any
trace of holes, drains or bitches any
where. We knew that the land was
crossed and recrossed by deep bitches
about five or six feet wide, but we could
discover no sign of them. We must
come to them-a wonder we had not
passed any yet, The frost had only set
in since and with the snow, so that the
ice could not be more than a quarter Of
an inch thick, and if we trod on it it
must give way and swallow US. One
chance was left open to us, viz, retrace
our steps. Now that we came to realize
our position we stood to deliberate
Vera was a couple of yards ahead, MAX
ing her way as best she could. Studying
the ground we thought we might try an
old bridge which could not be far off. but
just as we set out, changing our direction,
Vera stood still in front of us; little
sharp bark of uneasiness alarmed US;
she would not advance, and yet we saw
no obstacle. / struck my friend that
we had better push our sticks down to
feel. 1t was fortunate we did. Had
we moved one single step more forward
we must have met certain death. We
stood on the very brink of the descent,
the border of the largest drain in the
whole place. How we had got here we
could not say for to have realized it we
must have crossed at least half dozen
minor bitches We altered our course
and Vera preceded, and providentially,
for on two other occasions her instinct
made her leap without any apparent
reason, and thus pointed to where the
hidden peril awaited us.