Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-03-31
The Lost Laird
and His Dog
b > c. E L L I $

Argyleshire. not far from the head OF
Loeb Tyne. was situated the sheer
farm where on many occasions ! had
been q welcome guest. The farm
house was pleasantly located at the
foot Of a long glen and sheltered by
some fine old fr trees from the blasts
which in winter swept down the val
ley.
II was a fine winter day when and
a friend arrived al Loeb Goil-he" 4
where our host, or. as he was called
the laird, had appointed to meet us
and we received a right hearty vel
come on landing from the steamer. He
had with him his favorite collie. cae-
sar, which ! had known as a puppy,
but whatever claim he had to beauty
in his youth had vanished. He had
then a fine. glossy coat OF black and
white, his face was well marked and
a bushy tail hung "o'er his hurdles. +"
Now, alasl that appendage was sadly
imperfect, his ears were "ribboned. {"
his face SCARED In many places and
he had but one eye left. Caesar now
looked anything but an amiable beau
~. His master was, however. proud
of him as sheep dog.
Soon afterward we did ample justice
20 a substantial meal of sleeps head
broth and roast mutton. over which
we discussed our plans for spending
the next few days. Our host promised
us some good sport IL we we're pre-
pared to face the hills. where the
white hares were plentiful; and we
gladly awaited ourselves Of the offer.
On one OF our walks, when we we're
far up on the hills and several miles
from the farmhouse, the laird marked
sheep. telling us at the same time
that he would on the morrow give us
an example OF Caesars skill. The
sheep was selected as a contribution
TO the dinner which was to be given
TO the shepherds and their families at
Cairndhu on New Years day.
At breakfast next morning the laird
told us that Caesar was to fetch down
the marked sheep from the hills.
There is gate" be said. about four
miles down the loch side and by the
time we get there the dog and the
sheep will not be far on"
We went out into the yard and his
master having spoken a few words in
Gaelic to the dog away Caesar went.
clearing the rough stone dikes in
single bounds. as he ran up the noun.
tain. Away he went. higher and
higher, until we lost sight OF him al
together and only a distant bark
echoed at intervals down the glen.
An hours brisk walk brought us to
the appointed place and. sure enough,
there was Caesar with his charge safe
and sound. To one only slightly &C
quainted with the working Of collies
II seemed marvellous how the dog
could have singled out and brought in
the sheep from so great a distance in
so short time.
"Ah." said the laird. 1T needs a bit
of generalship to do Il. but Caesar.
like his namesake, is a great general.
He knew perfectly well what was
wanted when marked that sheep yes.
terday, and this morning. when | start.
ed him OF. he made straight for the
place where II was likely to be found:
his difficulty then was to separate Il
from the rest OF the flock, for. as you
know. sheep always follow each other
To manage this he gets between the
marked sheep and the others and, by
crouchirg down among the bracken
and starting up suddenly when the
sheep approach he frightens them and
by constantly repeating this strata /
gem he gradually increases the dis. |
lance between the flock and the single /
sheep. When the separation is ac-
complished his task becomes easy
and he has then only to drive the ami /
NAL to the appointed place.
Caesar must have gone through an
amazing amount Of work in that short
time. but he seemed thoroughly to ap-
preciate his masters account OF his /
performance as he lay on the grass.
his tongue hanging out and bis tail
wagging with satisfaction.
Meanwhile the snow had been ana
was falling fast; It lay several inches
deep on the road outside and a keen 4
north wind was blowing which would
cause heavy drifts on the mountains .
so the laird congratulated himself
upon having got his foeks to safer
shelters in time. As the fan Of snow
seemed likely to continue. he proposed
making his way back TO the farm and
sending trap to convey us home
later on.
Fully two hours elapsed and We
were now waiting somewhat anxiouslv
for the arrival Of the trap. when We
heard the most dismal bowling Of 3
dog outside At first we took no mar.
ticular notice OF II. but after a time
one Of the men came IN and told rs
that Caesar seemed 10 be looking for
someone. The man himself was mn.
der the influence Of the dew" Of his
native mountains and as We opeped
the door TO admit the dog ne stumbled
back 10 the shed where the pines con.
tinued 70 skirL Caesar shook the
haif-melted snow from his back hut
no words would pacify him and ha
continued 10 give vent 70 the most un.