The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1893-02-17

frighten the dogs, so as to impress
them at once with the appearance of
an enemy. A well-trained collie in
German regiment on the approach of
anyone he does not know, will hide in
the nearest ditch and viii wait until he
passes, the dog will then continue his
Journey only to repeat the process
should he be again interrupted
1t was maxim with Frederick the
Great that it was pardonable to be de-
feated but never to be surprised. When
troops are wearied by long marches,
and sentries besides being fatigued
have in addition TO struggle against
hunger and severe cold. in such cases
the aid of well-trained military dogs
would be appreciated by any prudent
commander. 1t has been ascertained
that on calm night dogs can with GER
tainty detect the approach of strangers
up to five hundred yards, and in stormy
weather they will scent an enemy
within two hundred yards and can
distinguish friend from foe.
Regarding the breed of dogs best
adapted for military purposes, it is con-
ceded that the farmers sheep dog has
the finest qualities. The retriever
makes good war dog, and spaniels
have much to recommend them. In
Germany they are considered second
to the sheep dog. Bloodhounds have
no superior when IL comes to tracking.
Austria the Dalmatian has been
aimed; Russia prefers the Caucasian
og; Turkey selects the Asiatic sheep
og, and Italy. like England, is expert
enting with various breeds
On the wall of the reading-room of
ow street police office, London, hangs
L., a.. ..,-ly., ! .l.a a On
day in August, 1857, an old, starved,
homeless animal took up his quarters
on the steps of seldom-used door con-
nected with the Office. AS neither dog
nor man had a right to loiter in that
doorway, the superintendent gave or
ers that he should be made to move
n. AS often as he was driven off,
owever, he reappeared The men of
he division became at last very much
.ttached to the dog and adopted him in
he corps, bestowing upon him the
lame of Charlie. At a quarter before
six every morning the first day relief
was paraded in the yard of the station,
previous to setting out on duty at six.
At that hour, and at every parade, day
or night, Charlie was always present,
marching up and down in front OF the
line with all the Importance of
drill sergeant Parade over, Char
lie would head the relief in its
march round the beats and then
went on tour of inspection,
walking for awhile with this or
that specially favored policeman
Charlie was also known as the white
Sergeant" and on state occasions,
when the attendance of the greater
part of the division was required,
sergeant's armlet was buckled around
his neck, and he appeared to be very
proud of the decoration. At the Vic
toria Cross presentation in Hyde Park
thirty-five hundred of the police were
on the ground Charlie had been de-
tanned at the station, having been ac-
cidentally shut in a room. As soon as
he was set free he made for the park,
working his way through the immense
crowd. and took his place at the head
of his own division. Previous to leav-
ing the station his armlet had been
buckled on, and as he sat, stiff and
erect as an old soldier. in front of the
long line of constables, the queen, as
she passed along the park, noticed the
dog and smiled. After performing his
duties faithfully sergeant for nearly
eight wears, Charlie died in front of the
mess room fire
The patient submission of dogs to
surgical treatment is well known. Mr..
George Fleming, veterinary surgeon of
the Second Life guards, operated on a
fine pointer, having a large, hard,
fibrous tumor of the breast, with deep
and far reaching roots. During the OPP
Grafton the animal displayed an amount
of patience that would have been cred
liable to a human being. Even during
the most painful part of the proceed
ing, that of inserting the sutures, the
dog never fiinched. The same resigna-
ton was displayed when the time for
dressing the wound came round, and
he would place himself in position for
the surgeon
The frontier of France abounds in
smugglers and the resources of the
contraband traders are called into ac
tivity. They have trained packs of
dogs to carry prohibited goods across
the line. The dogs are kept without
food many hours; they are then beaten
and laden with goods, and are started
on their travels as soon as it is dark.
When they reach the abodes of
their masters they are well treat
ed, and receive good meal
According to the accounts of the
French custom house, on an average
fifty Thousand of the dog smugglers are
destroyed annually, on which account
fifty thousand francs, as premiums,
We're paid to the customs officials.
The intelligence, bravery and endur-
ance of dogs have been attested in all
ages and countries, and their fitness
and value for military purposes has
passed beyond the experimental point.
In the event of an European war they
will be found operating in large num-
bers with the various arms of the serv-
ice, and they have received training as
auxiliary sentinels; as scouts or the
march, OH reconnaissance, and patrol
duties; as dispatch carriers, on the
march, in camp. and in action; as
auxiliary ammunition carriers, on the
march and in action; as searchers for
the wounded and killed after an en-
gagoment and for lookouts on men of
war of all descriptions.
In support of the value of dogs cover
ing the duties in connection with mill
tary operations, a great many reasons
might be advanced that have not been
touched upon; but the average military
man who has given the subject any
thought or study will scarcely deny
/ the fact that trained dogs for the art
| of war can be made as useful as the
skilled hunting pack to the sportsmen.
H. ID. Smith
Root-Bound Stones
The Falkland islands produce no
trees, but they do produce wood in a