VARIETIES OF DOG

I dare say you know that there are a great variety of dogs. The Newfoundland dog not only drags carts and sledges, but has a sort of web foot that makes him a particularly good swimmer. He often saves the lives of his human friends.

English Hunting Scene
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The Lapland dog looks after the reindeer, and drives them with the greatest gentleness to their homes or away from any danger.

The shepherd's dog does the same for the flock. He runs after any stray sheep, and just says, with a very amiable little bark, "Friend sheep," or "My little lamb, that's not the way."

Then there is the terrier to catch our rats; the mastiff and spaniel to guard our houses; the lapdog for ladies to play with; the poodles to laugh at; and once there was the turnspit to roast our meat for us.

Besides these and many I have not mentioned there are all the different hunting dogs; the pointers and setters for birds; the hounds for hares, rabbits, foxes, and deer.

When I was in England, I saw the start for a deer hunt. The hunters, with their red jackets, were assembled on horses longing to start. The dogs were all fastened together and held still by the keepers. A large open heath was before us.

Presently a covered cart was driven up. One end was opened, and a stag leaped out.

He stood still, and looked up and all around him, as much as to say, "What are we all about?" He had, apparently, no thought of running any where.

At last, they sent a little dog to bark at him, and soon away he scampered over fences and through fields; like the wind, he flew.

When he was out of sight, the keeper let his dogs loose. They did not run at first, but smelt all around, one dog leading the others. At last, he pricked up his ears, and they all set up a race after him, like a streak of lightning, as our Jem would say.

Now the huntsmen started, and they followed as near as they could. The dogs leaped over a hedge, a pretty high one. Away went the huntsmen after them.

I saw one man thrown as he tried to leap the hedge, and away went his horse and left him.

I saw two, three, four go over as if they were flying. O, how beautiful it was to see them!

Then I saw a rider and his horse both fall into a ditch they were trying to leap. Then came another, and over he went, all clear, as a cat might jump.

The hunter in the ditch scrambled out, but his horse was hurt and could not move.

Some men from the farm house, before which I was sitting, looking at the hunt, took ropes and went to help the maimed horse.

By this time, we heard but faintly the huntsmen's horn and merry shouts; and soon they were all out of sight, save the four or five men who were aiding the poor horse to get out of the ditch.

I returned home, thinking that, after all, hunting tame deer was a poor amusement. But I am an American lady; and were I an English gentleman, I might feel very differently.

"I think I should like hunting right well. It would be real good fun," said Harry.

"And so should I," said Frank.