The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-15
CHIVALRY AMONG BRUTES.
1T is FOUND THERE AS WELL AS IN
THE HUMAN ANIMAL.


From the st. Louis Globe-Democrat.
One of the most delightful things about
our own species is its colossal, but quite
unconscious conceit. Until within the past
few generations it would scarcely have ev-
en- occurred 10 us to doubt that we were
the central figure of the universe and that
our fate was the chief concern of the gods.
With an equally naive sef-Sa tisfaction we
have quietly arrogated to ourselves the
sole possession of moral sense. We can
not deny to our animal cousins the posses
sions of many. indeed nearly all of the
primitive characterization, courage,
loyalty and faithfulness to the death; but
we do deny them the moral credit for
them on the ground that they are the Ie-
suit of mere instinct"
The position is one which, for the sake
of our own peace of mind, it were best
not to pry into too curiously, as we should
l fear, find ourselves face TO face with the
discomforting fact that not only are many
Of the best and noblest things Of which. we
are capable done purely on instinct, but
but also some of our worst and cruelest
actions form a sense of duty, or for con
science sake" So that, before an impair
tial bar, we might well find difficulty in
proving that the practical conduct of
to reach as high an average as our own.
The attitude of animals toward the
young of their own species is think, al
most uniform, most of us having probably
seen instances of it. l was once the proud
possessor of a fine English setter, a dog
of handsome presence and enc who took
a most Hibernian delight in the fog o.
fightin'," and extremely jealous, 10 the de
gree of quarrelsomeness, of every rival
that came about the place He would face
any dog, and, indeed, had thrashed AMI
been recognized as the master of most OF
the neighborhood, but if young puppy
or a kitten were suddenly presented TO
him he would turn tail and flee
in apparently abject terror. Upon
several occasions l tried the ex-
pertinent of holding him with one
hand by the collar and presenting the
sprawling and whining object with the
other, and it was really comical to see how
he would shrink and shut his eyes, turn
his face aside and whimper, just as II l
had been thrusting a burning brand into
his face.( If he came into the house and
found puppy (of which there We're usual
ly one or two in stock in those days.
Sprawling upon the hearth rug, he would
turn and bolt as if he had seen snake,
and refuse 10 return until he thought he
coast was clear. And several of my
hounds appeared to possess this curious
puppy dread" in less degrees.
Ii might also be mentioned in TIL con-
nection that, as a rule, no dog of size
or courage will cond5 scend TO attack
smaller or obviously weaker dog, unless
the remarks and actions of the latter be-
come insulting beyond endurance. The ut
tie dog seems to realize this thoroughly,
so that it may almost be taken aB
general rule that the smaller the dogt the
more uuarrelsome and abusive he iS
My little fox terrier would fly at half
the dogs, he met, apparently know ng that
the big ones would either pay little at
tention to him or let him off easily, with
out making pursuit and feeling a we'll
founded confidence that he could give a
good account of most of the small or me-
Diminished ones in rough and ready
street fight, which, as a rule never lasts
more than one or two rounds, and in
which the advantage is on the side of the
aggressor
avoid almost every attack that was made
upon him, if 1t were possible to do so
without displaying positive cowardice
Even when he judged it necessary to do
something, instead of try ng to take hold
he would content himself with a single
wolf-like slash of his great CANNES, often
without even slackenlng his stride, as he
raced after my buggy, and this was US
u9lly enough.
splend Great Dane, of almost lion
| color and size, would usually absolutely
refuse to fight with small or even me-
sized dogs, or, if he did. would
cortent himself with knocking them over
and holding them down with his huge
paws. This by the way, was excellent
policy, also, for his assailant was thus
not only defeated, but made
to look ridiculous as well, a
thing far more keenly dreaded and
wildly remembered by most dogs. But
even chivalry has its drawbacks. 1t is
not advisable, as a rule, to so out walk
Ming with dogs which vary widely in size,
! fer if you DC, the little dog will start the
| quarrels and the big one promptly join
| in, to assist his friend and you will have
| no end of complications on your hands
! from The combination.
| This sense of obligation to interfere ac-
! lively on behalf of the younger or weak
! CT members of their species Is widely
! spread tht oughout the animal kingdom
! In attempting to capture young pigs
! which have escaped from their pen, and
are running at large among the herd Of
! perhaps fifty or sixty grown hogs, it is
| necessary to be most circumspect in your
| method of picking up a youngster, for if
| once his shril squeal of distress is raised
| you will have the entire herd down on
| you at once, bristles up tusks gnashing
and fierce, barking war-cry ringing. 1t
| would be most unwise to await the onset,
| for a half-wild pig, when his blood is up
| and that danger-cry is ringing in his
| ears, is one Of the most reckless and
! ferocious fighters that can be met with.
| The only thing to be done is to dash for
| the nearest fence with your shrieking bur-
| den. or drop him before you reach it if
| the herd is gaining on you.
Cattle have the same curious suscepti-
| hility to the cry of a frightened calf, es-
| pecially in their half-wild condition, upon
/ the range. To startle suddenly young
! calf from its nest in the long grass or
| the sage bush upon the plains is one of
| the rskiest experiences that can fall to
! your lot, if on foot or at any distance
! from your horse or wagon. The little
! goose is almost sure TO do one of two
| things, either to trot conhdingy toward
! and shamble along after you as though
he were your dog. which means that he
| does you the compliment Of mstaking
| you for his mother, or. with head and
tail erect, and rigid with terror he Will
| give voice to an appealing succession of
| barking "blarts," totally unlike his or
| binary dinner cry to his mother.
| Then every horned creature within
! 81, ~, ,.tare Of a fia NH e,n G,btt,