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

A LOST SOUL.
"How now. HOratlOi you tsembIe and look pale;
M Il nS' tS ls sC ySa pore ia a
II was chance remark, and one that Is often
made concerning an intelligent animal, bat lis ell
feet upon my friend, Sidney barrow; was singul
His shoulders twitched nervously, ana MS manu-
went up to his throat as though something choheu
have large English mastif that call Wodan
A moment before he mad left his accustomed Placc
on the rug in one corner OF the room, anu nu ouae
to my side to receive the careSs WmcD, at Hler'as
through the day, he seems TO ma necessary "
his happiness. AS l smoothed his wrnked fore
head and patted his soft, large ears, i Observes
with what trustful affection his great eyes oeamed
It was then that remarked to Sidney barrow,
who sat near at hand, earelessly watching "s
through the smoke of his pipe:
Does it not seem to you sometimes that Wodan
has a very human look Z" -,
And my friend made answer with the peculiar
motions which have described;
Wodan left my side and walked slowly bacK 70
his rug barrow watched his movements with hali-
closed eyes, his hand still clutching his throat;
When the dog had lain down my Hieho 'uihee
his gaze upon me.
Don't-Don't ever say that about Wodan again
1t will make me hate him."
lie was plainly much stirred, ana tDc SERIOUSNESS
of his appeal was not to be doubted.
Presently, before was ready to make any reply,
he separated the heavy beard that covered MS chin
See here" he said, Il never showed you this'
"What made it-a burn =
"No. Let me tell you the story"
There was a period of my life, some years ago,
that spent on my uncles ranch near San Juan
Capstrano. At that time the raising OF sneep
was one of the chief industries. OF Southern Gail
fornia. and much of the land IN in our n,,, VI,
cinity was devoted TO pasturage. About halI q
mile from my uncles house, in lonely canon,
stood the hut Of herder-bult of adobe, repulsive
without. cherries within, grim and squalid, yet
in every way so well suited to its solitary inhab-
tant that one might think he had constructed II
about himself, as the nautilus does his shell lie
was tall, hard-visaged Basque with great, shag.
gyT black beard, haggard features, and eyes that
you could not look into without a shudder. DO
you understand what | mcanp lie was one OF
those wild beasts of men, whose faces seen but
once live always In your memory, and when sleep
will not come, they show themSelves-bodless
masks, as they are-through your tightly closed
eyelids.
The trail of the canon passed within few yards
Of the hut, and my dutes-L assisted my uncle, in
the management Of the ranch-frequently LED
me in that direction. When not away on the hill
side with his flock of sheep, the hcrder usually
stood or sauatted motionless In front of his howell
few feet away from him crouched his dog. The pair,
man andbeast, stared at me from the moment came
in sight until passed among the live-oa<s beyond
making no movement, save slow turning OF the
head, and Offering response To my salutatl0n.
At last came TO pass them in silence, but never
without vague sense OF dread.
i
that the Basque was considered queer, or. as they
expressed it. "lococd" They said he was in the
habit of talking to his dog as though 1t were q
man; and that even his fellow-countrynen feared
Crazy he may have been; druniard he GER
tainly was. AT frequent intervals he appeared IN
the town with large black demiIohn, which
he carried away filled with liquor of the Sort that
One afternoon as / came down the canon, !
heard the yelpng of o dog. and approaching the
hut of the Basque, j beheld sight that hlled
me with anger and distress. ,
The fellow had hung up the dog by the
hind legs against the side of the house, and was
beating him with large knotted stick.
did not stop to think much Of consequences
did az you or any man who has ever known
dog would have done. jumped from the saddle,
and. drawing my knife as / ran, cut the animal
down Then | turned and faced the Basque.
was MOTOR he did not take up the gage Of
battle, but stared at me fiercely out of boodshot
shook off the RATA with which its legs were
ensnarled, and crouching low, watched us
Come said in Spanish. why should you
kill your dog? You have drunk too much aguar-
diente. Tomorrow you will be glad that saved
his life."
He emitted a strange sound through his teeth
and lips. 1t was very like the snarl Of wolf
"f you do not care for the dog, will you sell
mo, he replied with an oath, Il will not
sell him l mean to kill him."
very we'll" said; If you wish to take the
animals life, shoot him; but you shall not beat
him to death"
imprecations alternately against the dog and
myself. When he came 10 the door he called
to the dog
"Demoniol Come here
The animal eyed him but did not move Ihen
the herder disappeared from view in the dark
interior Of the howell
| remounted and continued on my way down
the trail had gone about IsS yarns IN
the chapparral behind and / wheeled hastily
around to discover the dog. He had followed
evidently for the purpose OF making my ac-
quaintance and to thank me for the rescue
l called to him and patted the side of my saddle,
meaning that he should where might touch
him. He started to obey. but as he approached
nearer my horse gave violent snort, anu began TO
shy away from him. The act surprised me not a
little, for the animal stolid old bronco that,
rarely started at anything, least OF all at dog.
The dog stopped his advance and watched us, while
struggled TO bring the horse to him and TO
calm his very evident terror. But my efforts were
unavailing. though I used whip and spur and
threw all my strength on the bride. The horse
would not allow the dog to touch him. For some
strange cause he even trGmoed in his presence. Al
last | gave up the undertaking and examined the
Bosques companion from httie distance
He was considerably larger than the average
collie | imagine that he must have had some New
foundand or perhaps ~. Bernard blood-the
sheepdogs of California are rarely OF pure breed.
Ills hair was short, curly, and black as night He
souatted on his launches and looked steadily at me
during all the time that was occupied in making
this survey: and when at last j spoke TO him, he
lifted his ears a little tut made no other move
ment. . 81, u,
Demonio ?p
Al first thought that the name had been given
him because he was dark in color as the popular
belief paints an evil spirit. But moment later.
when my eyes rested upon his his SAVIOR perhaps
further reason. / scarcely know how TO describe
the effect that his steady gaze produced upon me.
II was at first merely an impression that this dog
was different from any of his species that had
known before-then a conviction that something
was wrong-and. lastly an uncomfortable terror.
These sensations followed one another in quick
succession-amost in a fash and without stopping
10 ask myself any questions, gave my horse free
rein. and we went planging headlong down the