The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-09-13
PERSONALITY IN A DOG
How Ancient Manners of AMI
NAL Returned.
AS IN THE CRIMINAL
Story of a Hound Which Show
ed All the PeCuliaritieS.


and perfect hunting dog for game found
in swamps and along river banks Like
all his family before him, he was also
an excellent setter for hunting on dry
land. With all this he showed a great
deal of independent intelligence, so that
his master was never quite sure that his
too clever dog had not something IN
known to him in the back Of his head"
The master was ". Ranc lawyer Of
Poitires. He had a county estate, with
all kinds Of shooting. a few miles from
the town; and it was his delight 10 take
his sons and their schoolmates hunting
with him on their holidays. Two of these
boys-Arthur Ranc and Artistide COute-
aux have long been senators of the
French republic Their favorite dog-story
concerns the double life led by Neptune
sixty years ago.
The tiny river Claim wound through the
property Of NJ Ranc. amid low-lying
banks overgrown with reeds and brushes
Here there were always TO be found
orakes and teals, water hens and didap-
pers The hunters let themselves float
nidstream in boat. while Neptune beat
the rushes TO drive up the game. He was
never tired and never at fault; and when
his masters shot was lucky. he faithfully
brought in the killed or wounded bird.
At last the frequent plunging in the wa
ter TO which the dog was obliged. gave
him strong twinges OF rheumatism. He
was treated with every care. In particular
he was made to lie down on an old piece
of Oh heF ha chi
where blazing wood fire was kept crack
ling; amid the gentle heat he was rubbed
long and strongly with flannel dipped in
spirits OF camphor; after a few applica-
lions of this kind. Neptune found relief;
but he kept his observa tons to himself
until the next time he was taken TO hunt
in the water. Then. on the return home
he ran 70 bring the carpet and flannel 70
the chimney side and stretched himself
out for preventive treatment.
This sign of observation and intelligence
given by the dog filed his masters with
admiration. But when winter came and
Neptune had 10 point for rabbits on dry
land. ne developed habits which puzzled
every one around him.
In the mornings when the hunt was on
there would be a heavy breakfast at nine
clock: otherwise n Ranc and the boys,
contended themselves with the usual
MONDAY lunch Neptune wandered IN
easily round the kitchen and after his
masters. When breakfast was not served
and there was no sign Of preparing for
the hunt, he would disappear and be seen
no more until late in the afternoon. After
several repetitions Of this mysterious
maneuvre. NJ Ranc and the boys consti- (
tuted themselves into a detective service T
and Swallowed" the unsuspecting dog.
They were not very much surprised TO .
see Neptune bound of to the farm build .
ings where a few barks brought 10 his .
side the shepherd dog Trompette. The /
two were clearly pals but why did they
set out straight for the rabbit ground?
There was first the long. unkempt slope .
of hillside. where the rabbits came to
feed among the brakes and briers. Be
yond. near the top Of the hill, were few .
rods Of grassy turf and then a growth OF
trees. which crowned the Hill and ened in I
6 thick chestnut COVE. Underneath the (
chestnuts the rabbits made their burrows.
Trompette was the lighter and quicker 1
of the two dogs and accustomed TO rapid .
leaps and bounds after her Maynard sheep /
the wood. SO that she could command the I
open space Of turf which the rabbits I
would have 10 cross 10 get home to their /
burrows. Then Neptune came down the 4
hillside and nosed about for a rabbit
The manner OF hunting which he in /
herited from his ancestors, and which he 4
had always followed. was useless where /
dogs were hunting alone. Regularly. /
when he scented q rabbit. il was his bus /
mess TO crouch motionless, pointing 10
the prey until his master gave the word; I.
and he ian forward TO seize and bring
II in only after his master had fired I
Now that he was alone with Trompette, /
he no longer obeved his inherited instinct. /
but set about hunting as any old dog or (
fox OF wolf might have done.
Having found his rabbit. Neptune mott
fed Trompette 20 be on the lookout with +
a quick. sharp bark Then. without any
idle ceremony Of setting and pointing, he
leaped forward to chase the rabbit from
the bushes. Il fed for its burTow. only TO
be caught on the turf by Trompette.
who broke its back with bite and
waited for Neptune. Then the two poach-
ers lay down together and Toasted on
their prey.
NJ Ranc and the boys FASTENED home
without betraying their presence al tht
scene Of the crime. Neptune soon re-
Joined them with an innocent and con-
tended air The master was resolved TO
ind out II this outbreak Of the wild dogs
Instinct in him was likely 70 interfere
with the ability 10 hunt in obedience TO
man. which was the acquired result OF
long inheitance and training.
The afternoon was half over and the sun
was already low down in the heavens.
Contrary to all their habits. NJ Ranc and
the boys took their guns. called Neptune
and started for the rabbit hunt The
log crouched into position before a
slump OF brables "On. Neptune" called
he master and the dog leaped into the
bush. frightening the r. bbit from its shell
ct. The man fred. but only wounded the
rabbit. which kept on scouting towards
Is burrows.
The shepherd dog Trompette had fol
owed and she now leaped forward and
seized the rabbit in her Jaws With
blow Of his paw. the Indignantly virtuous
Neptune feued her 70 the ground. snatch
ne the rabbit from her and bringing il
20 his master Re was no
onger a savage adventurer on his own
took. but an honest servant q man once
again.
Neptune kept TO this declaration OF his
sill 70 observe the customs Of civilized
ite so long as he was in the presence Of
nen. his master But the master was
never after sure what primitive instinct
night not overcome the civilized culture