Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1910-12-15
The sheep-Dog Trials in England

immunity from taxation which may be
taken as an Endorsement OF his worth as a
public character.
What are known as the Sheep-dog
trials are famous over all England. was
present at one Of these contests at Raven
Stonedale in Westmoreland County. Al
ter crossing Ashwell, wild tract OF
moorland, we suddenly found ourselves
overlooking valley dotted with farms,
and divided into fields by those stone
walls the North Country farmer rearS.
In one corner OF big meadow num-
Der of wild sheep were confined in small
temporary pens, for the trials are made
with sheep that have never before been
folded. A double line OF flags defined
the course over which the sheep were to
be driven by the dogs. This course was
circular in shape, and at one end was a
fenced enclosure, in the center OF which
was pen.
At signal from the Judge OF the trials,
one of the shepherds took his place at a
stake which had been driven in the ground
near this enclosure. To the stake was
fastened rope with a loop through which
the contestant passed his left arm.
The rules governing these contests are
that no word shall be spoken by the shep-
herd, nor may he move from the stake.
He is expected to control the movements
of his dog entirely by whistles, or gestures
OF his free right arm. And thus instruct
ed, it is the dogs business, within Speci-
fled time, to drive the sheep between each
pair OF flags to the enclosure and INTO the
pen.
On a second signal from the Judge, one
of the temporary pens was opened and
and three sheep liberated. Sheep are
proverbially hard to drive, but when they
have passed their days farup on the tells,
never hearing any sound but the voice OF
their shepherd and the bark OF the sheep
dog, and are suddenly introduced into the
presence ofanoiSy crowd, many carriages,
several motors, and brass band, the task
becomes doubly difficult.
The first dog had things much his own
way, for the sheep, thoroughly frightened,
ran straight up the course between the
flags until they had covered half the dis
tance then they SWerved and bOlted in
different directions. The shepherd now
began 70 instruct the dog as to the best
urged them back into the way they should
go, betraying undue haste, although the
way to get them back into the course at
the point where they had left it. With
admirable tact, stopping every few sec
ondS to listen for orders, the dog gently
shepherd saw that they were keptln con-
slant motion. Presently they were in
the course again, and the dog nursed them
along between the flags but the moments
were flying. and before they had reached
the goal time was called.
Itwas much the same with two other
trials, both full of excitement, but unSuc-
ceSSiuI. II seemed such an impossible
feat that we abandoned the idea that il
could be accomplished, aud expressed
our disappointment.
A farmer standing near us turned and
said, Don't ye gle up now-wait for
Davy'S dogl"
As he spoke, fourth shepherd took
his place at the stake with his dog at his
side. The dog was small and OF a dirty
slate color, with shaggy coat and hair
hanging about his very bright eyes, and
he seemed to have special appreciation
OF what was expected OF him. Probably
he remembered former trials.
He sat beside his master, his little red
tongue hanging out in his excitement, and
his head cooked on one side, alert for the
first signal. He looked about with the
keeneSt interest, and trembled with anxi-
ETY. to be at work, but never moved.
Three sheep were liberated, and at the
first gesture from the sht pherd he was
after them like flash; but a whistle
brought him instantly TO a walk IS he
neared them. AS one of them showed an
inclination to wander, whistle sent him
after il with an eruption OF expoSiulatory
barks. He got II back with its mates and
passed the three between the next flags,
when two OF them turned and ran back.
The dog, perpIexed, stood still, but a
signal from his master sent him tearing
after the run-aways. He looked like a
gray streak against the green English turf
as he ran to head them off and turn them
back to the course.
This accomplished, he started them mp
the course at lively gait, nipping at their
heels to hurry them. Joining the other
sheep, all three OF them trotted OFT, the
dog in close attendance.
Ii was not all plain sailing, however.
The sheep seemed to have taken a sud-
den aversion TO going between the flags.
A whistle from his master. and he dashed
to the right; another whistle, and he DASH
ed TO the left; still another whistle, and
he was jogging peacefully in their rear,
his tongue lolling out.
They were on the home stretch now,
and the farmers had their watches out.
Then the shepherd and the dog went to
work in good earnest. One more pair OF
flags, and then the pen, and the prize
and only two minutes left Theshepherd
kept his expressive right arm in constant
motion, and every kind and condition OF
whistle issued from his lips.
When the dog failed to understand, he
crouched and waited for repetition OF
tho siUnal Then off he would 90. now