New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-13

talked 10 linn, Dut lie "n'''
though he we're anxious TO De gone. I'D. O.,
/ Suggested to the man that we should rue ~ ~
the canon. and mounting. we 1oliowcu ,n ~" in ad
xan . Of ne looking back occasionally to make
sure that we were coming. When the canon %ss
reached his pace and f and in behind U.s.
" lie breads q beating, SAID !; r,. .,a p.
| From the trail we called to the hut. ana , re
cciving no answer. we rode 10 'n' aooi """
There Law the BASQUE In the middle Of the foor.
his arms outstrctohed and his head thrown back
dead. ,,, = d;sagreeable
| object 10 look upon, but something ha9 happened
| 10 this one that rendered it impossDe lor me
| 10 rive IL more than quick glance hastIy
turned my horses head away, and rode over no, TO,
ward the spot where the dog was cro9cnlng' anf
man. more resolute than l. dsmounted anu Wa:
| into the hut. When he came out again ne saio
| 81 covered il over with one Of those sheepsEins,
so it wouldn't scare any else. His bottle was
lying near him, and ! guess he must nave druhn ,.
himself to death. That was probably done ~
| coyotes, or maybe mountain hon'
authorities of the mans death. and also to severai
Of his oountrymen. In talking with one 0! tn nc
latter, asked what disposition would De maoe
| of the dead mans sheep and Of his dog
1.-The sheep" answered tine man, were not
| his; he had sold them. As to the dog, NOBODY
| wants the brute, imagine"
"Why notP"
| askance at Demon. who had followed me,
| Very WELL" said, then will take him
No objection was made, and Demon passed
| into my possession. -,
NV uncle had several hundred sheep. which
were tended by an old native Californian and his
son. | took Demon to them and offered ms
services in the care OF the flock 10 my saIprine ~,
| they refused. I urged the matter and flnaliy
| demanded the ground Of their opposition. Ao
| last the old man said
| "IIe looks like a sheep-killer."
| This accounted for the refusal oil the Basque
| shepherds 10 take the dog; they, too, suspected
him. Knowing how prone such men were 10 So
perstitious prejudices would not allow inc AMI
| NAL to he condemned without cause.
do you know that he kills sheep!" 1 asked
He shook his head Then asked il any one
| had even seen the dog prowling around az nieh.
| or behaving in suspicious manner AGAIN no
shook his head.
| 1T is all nonsense" l said, finding myself
fairly forced into the position OF the dogs de-
Now, 1 tell you," said the old shepherd II
know that dos. dog III tAink him bad dog Will
He went into his hut and brought out two
half-grown puppies-livcly, wrggling little EEL
lows-and put them down ON the ground before
you see," he said; puppies always try to
play with strange dogs-,never afraid OF them
TSe infants aG1 you wHdded up to Demon who sp
preached them, waggiug his tail, good-humorediy
The instant they got a good view Of his face
| they whired about and went on kl-ylng at
| great rate of speed.
The performance struck me amusing, and
laughed but the old shepherd looked very grave
| "A bad dog" he reiterated, slowly; very bad
well" 1 said, Il will take him myself. since
you will not But if 1 ever learn there ! in
stinctivey looked down into the dogs face, as as
| has killed sheep, shall have him shot"
The dogs eyes looked up into mine with a keen
intelligent gaze and could not resist the belief
| that he had understood.
1t is not improbable that my prejudice against
| the animal was even stronger than that OF the
proud of m nS freedom from form 81
| superstition, how could | bring myself to con-
tenance such irrational fanoies2 On the con-
trary my duty seemed to lie in the opposite course
| to defy this prejudice and to protect and defend
the object OF which it was levelled. Besides,
| had come to feel powerful cur cslty with regard
offensive. was so generally hated and feared.
What was it that inspired all other ANIMALS WIN
such distrust of him. Not my horse alone, put
every quadrnped on the place manifested very
evident unwingness to have him about; The other
| dogs would not associate with him. Yet ne was
| never quarrelsome nor ill-tempered.
One thing he did which, though not a serious
| fault, was often annoying lie had habit Of
watching closely every motion Of the person
imagined that | could feel his eyes. when | did
not see them-hs gaze was so constant and intense;
This habit. ! thought TO myself, was acquired
might be expected at any moment to inhiot some
| undeserved blow upon him. Despite this explana-
ton there were times when we We're in alone no.
| me, that felt the chill OF an unreasonng dread,
| Demon had been in my possession several weeks.
when al at once began 70 hear complaints about
victim was found dead-now Of one flock and
| now Of another yet all within limited range
They were all mgated In the SAL same way ana in
sheep-killing. As I had expected, suspicion i'm
mediately fell upon Denim; and one morning
when | came out Of the house, 1 fond couple
| of herders waiting to see me.
They had no evidence against the dog, vet they
| demanded that he should be put to death Tho
Injustice of it reused my Indignation, and calling
Il want you to look at him You say that a
shepp was killed last night. Where is there any
| sign OF blood about his iawsP"
One of them examined Demons mouth, but
| found no mark of the slaughter. The other said !:
That dog does not prove anything; regular
he ear aSes 70 n wash sp IpSs
This sounded improbable to me- hut did not
| argue the matter
"very well. said. o-night Demon shall be
shut up in the corral and if sheep is killed, we
| we will know that he is not the guilty dog"
They shook th.ir heads. He will find some
| way to get out of the corral" said one of them
'aThen he shall sleep in my room with me-" /
said; land the door and blinds shall be closed
| Does that suit your
This arrangement seemed to satisfy them, and
That night took Demon TO my room and gave
him mat in the corner for bed His only pos
| siblc means Of escape was by the door or by the
| WINDOW. L lOckcu the uOOI anu ureW Jne Dllnu
of the window shut and hooked it in place.
| Then 1 went to bed, and almost Immediately fell
| asleep
| In the morning when / woke Demon lay upon
his mat apparently in sound slumber.
| . began to dress. When l was nearly done
my uncle raped on the door
| Have you Demon in there ?" he called out.
| Yes" ] answered, opening the door;
| He exhibited much surprise. Another sheep
was killed last night" said he
| We'll" / replied. that merely proves what
I've said that Demon Is innocent
| "Yce OF course said my uncle. looking
| doubtfuly at the dog He went over to the win
| dow and inspected the fastening
| "Impossibe!" he said
"For him 10 open it?n asked, of course
| NJ uncle threw the blind back and pointed