THE DOG OF THE REGIMENT.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VIII, Issue 2200, 16 November 1875, Page 3

THE DOG OF THE REGIMENT.

When the "Spankers" woro in the Crimea-they were light dragoons in those days, and not hussars, as at pre-sent-a largo dog, I don't exactly know of what breed, but universally admired for his beauty and intelligence, attached himself to that particular corps. .Whenever the regimont marched ho invariably accompanied the troopers. Several times he went info action, and was once seriously wounded with tho point'of a' lance. It would have been universally regretted had poor LuihYs wound proved fatal. One of tho farriers undertook to dress it,' so that with a little care ho soon got well again. Whero the dog came from, or who was his original owner; nobody knew.; Ho would never, follow an individual soldier, boyond tho barrack gates, however kindly he might be invited j bub when the men were in full dress, whether mounted or on foot, provided they went out in a body, Luffio, insisted on tailing up his proper position. One thing was very remarkable—he had sufficient discernment to enable him to distinguish a " church parade" from any other. He never showed; any desire to attend publjc worship, At tho beginning of his military career he had to pick up his living as best he could, He was accustomed at meal times to go from hut to hut, or among the tents, when the men were under canvas. In some of I these: habitations he met with good treatment and a Bupply of food, but from others he was not frequently summarily and ignominiously ejected; However, Luffin, in, course of time, was allowed regular rations at the regimental expense, towards which all members of the corps contributed a share, from the colonel to tho drummer. The noble animal must have been aware of his promotion, for it was observed that he never went, "abegging"after. One of Luffin's remarks of high intelligence I cannot personally • vouch for, but I have been assured of its truth. It was said andgenerally believed, that he was in the constant habit of visiting 1 the sentries. during the night, especially in the Crimea, to see if the men were at their posts and on the alert. Tho reader must be told that during a campaign the troops aro so much harassed and fatigued that sentries will, occasionally fall asleep as they stand—an act however, which is looked upon as ono of the. gravest of military offeuces. If Luffin found a man asleep, ho sat before him ia silence; but the slighesfc sound of' approaching footsteps was sufficient to make him apprise the sleeper of the danger to which ho was exposed. Ho would then trot off to tho next poot, whero he scarcely halted if convinced that all was well. I am glad to be able to record the fact,-that, his faithful services, in dub time, obtained for luffin the respect of evory member of the corps, It would have been a high; misdemeanour to offer him indignity.