They Decide to Travel.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue XXIV, 10 December 1904, Page 60

They Decide to Travel.

“Fluffy,” said Spot, “what do you intend to do when you grow up?’ “I have not given the matter * thought yet,” replied Flufly. *“I have,” said Spot; “but to speak plainly, I find it not so easy to decide!” “What choice is there?” inquired fy“Well,” answered Spot slowly, “there is rat-catching for one thing.” Fluffy turned up his nose- “I say,” he cried, “is not that just a leetle vulgar, don’t you know?” “Possibly; but then, think of the excitement! I know a fellow who is a ratcatcher, and he has told me of wonderful adventures in cellars, hair-breadth escapes in drains, and of thrilling fights that he has had with sometimes as many as 20 rats at a time. Fancy that!” Fluffy’s tail unconsciously wagged with interest, and his round eyes glistened. “Is your friend a big fellow?” he asked in an awe-struck voice. “Not particularly big. but, then, he is tremendously strong! He lost part of an car in one fight, the tip of his tail in another, and his face is all over scratches. Oh, he is a plucky one!” Fluffy turned round and round until he was giddy in ridiculous efforts to catch a sight of his own short tail. “I don’t want to part with the tip of my tail,” he said, “or to lose an ear, or be scratched. Can’t a body distinguish himself in some other profession not quite so dangerous?” “Oh, yes!” replied Spot, “fox-hunting would not be so dangerous; certa'nly hare-coursing would not, and both are interesting and exciting.” “And more genteel,” added Fluffy. “Then, you know,” continued Spot, “one could make oneself useful by taking charge of sheep.”

“And have to be out in all sorts of weather, willy-nilly, and never be certain of a bone! No, thank you; that is too hard a life for me.” “I fear that you arc rather difficult to please!” said Spot. “But, come now, what think you of a watchdog’s situation? To keep guard over a big human kennel, and to bark and snap at beggars and robbers?'’

“That’s better!” replied Fluffy, “an important position, comfortable lodgings, food and drink regularly provided, and respectability assurred.” “But rather lonesome, eh?” queried Spot. “I say, old fellow, one might do worse, you know, than be companion to some two-legged creature—a he or a she —and a comfortable old age provided for.” “Hem! There seems to be a variety of choice,” said Fluffy; “but I should like to travel about a bit and expand my mind before I settle down.” “Ah! there may be a chance of that,” said Spot, “when our folks take their summer holiday.” “Oh, ho! Have you any idea where they are thinking of going?” asked Fluffy. “I believe I overheard the master say Devonshire —wherever that may be!” “Is that across the Channel, do you suppose?” asked Fluffy. “Very likely,” replied Spot. “By the by, does the sea agree with you? Are you a good sailor?” “I don’t care the least bit about being bat lied," replied Fluffy, dolefully. ‘‘Oh. we are sure to g<st on.” cried Spot, cheerfully. “All dogs swim, you know, so that is a good sign.” Poor Fluffy fairly whined. “Spot, you never mean to *say that wc shall have to swim the Channel?” “Oh, I don't know’,” replied Spot, recklessly. “Captain Boyton did it, so why shouldn't we?” Both dogs were silent for a time, and then Fluffy sighed. “Well,” he remarked philosophically, “we shall see what we shall sec, I suppose!” They Decide 3 and 4 Not long after this conversation had occurred a train steamed out cf Water-

100 Station; in a guard’* van, and under the guard’s special care, were three dogs, a big one chained to a staple, and two small ones—Spot and Fluffy—in a cosy straw-lined hamper. The big dog was not a bit stuck up, and at once showed his friendly disposition by remarking in a hearty voice, “How do you do? Fine weather for travelling, is it not?” “Capital!” replied Spot, while Fluffy wagged his tail and smiled pleasantly. “May I inquire if you are going far?” asked the big dog. “Certainly,” replied Spot; “we are going to Torquay, in Devonshire.” “Are you indeed?” said the big dog. “A most interesting place to you and me, as so many of our prehistoric relatives lie buried there.”

The eyes of Spot and Fluffy were big with astonishment. Their new acquaintance noticed this, and hastened to add, “Kent’s cavern, you know, wliere so many remains of prehistoric animals have been found.”

“I am afraid I anr very ignorant, sir,” said Spot, “but, to tell the truth, I don’t know what you are talking about!” “Nor I, indeed,” said Fluffy.

The big dog smiled. “I beg your pardon,” he said, “but you see 1 take care of, and am responsible for the important museum at Exeter, so I ought to know a great deal about doggish history. I am afraid that I take it for granted other folk are as much interested in history as I am.”

“Sir,” said -Spot, “this is our„ first journey, for we have never been away from home before. If you would be so kind as to tell us something of what you know, we should be grateful, and it would help to beguile the way.” “I will talk with pleasure,” replied the big dog good-naturedly, “on condition that when you are tired of hearing me prose you will kindly step on my tail as a reminder.”

Spot and Fluffy laughingly agreed; the big dog lapped a draught of water, and held up a paw to claim attention.

“Do you know,” said he, “what is the chief distinction between us dogs and our cousins the cats?”

“They mi-aou and we bark,” said Fluffy.

“They can climb and we can’t,” said Spot.

“Those are certainly differences, but the chief distinction is in our claws, which are fixed, whereas the claws of the cat arc sheathed, and can be drawn backwards and forwards at will.”

Spot and Fluffy each put out a paw, and examined with interest their toes.

“We are supposed, you know,” continued the big dog, “to be descended from the wolf or jackal; at any rate, dogs are of very respectable antiquity. You have hoard of Egypt, I daresay?” “That is the land through which the big river Nile flows, is it not?” asked Spot.

“Yes. that is it. Well, we know that dogs lived in the land of Egypt five thousand years ago.” “My whiskers!” gasped Spot, in surprise, while Fluffy cocked his ears, and looked as wise as he could.

“Four kinds of dogs have been discovered there, the hound, the greyhound, the watchdog, and the turnspit. Aye! and our ancestors were thought so much of that the dog was worshipped as a god under the name Anubis. Dogs were offered in sacrifice to Anubis, and their dead bodies were then embalmed, and carefully preserved as mummies.”

"What in the world is thatr asked Fluffy. “Why, the inside of the dog was taken out, and he was stuffed with spices and' things, and then he became a mummy.” “Astonishing!” cried Spot. “And a city was built all in honour of us doge, and it was called Cynopolia, and one of the big stars was named . Sirius, the dog-star. Oh! I can tell you, the old Egyptians thought heaps of us.”’ “Only the Egyptians?” asked Fluffy. “Oh, no, the Greeks and Romans, too, appreciated our worth, and we served in their armies.” “What!” cried Spot; “soldier dogs?” “Yes,” said the big dog, “soldiers.” “Did they wear silver helmets and breastplates, and carry guns, and sit on horseback like the sentinels at Whitehall?” asked Fluffy eagerly. “No,” said the big dog, “they were foot soldiers. There was one very brave deed done by some Greek soldier dog which is mentioned in history books.’’ “Oh, do tell!” cried Spot and Fluffy together. “Well, there was a large town called Corinth where dwelt lots of two-legged creatures in great kennels. And an enemy came by sea and landed in the dead of night, and stole upon the sleeping two-legged garrison. Every man Jack of them would have been killed had not fifty warrior dogs heard the footsteps of the foe; barking loudly their battle-cry they rushed fearlessly upon them. Then there was a dreadful fight, in which all the brave dogs were killed excepting one only; but by that time the garrison were wide awake, and seizing their arms they drove back the enemy with great loss. Thus Corinth was saved.” “And the brave soldier dog who was not killed —-did they make him king?” asked Fluffy. “I daresay they might have,” replied the big dog; “but unfortunately he died of his fearful wounds.” Spot looked grave, and Fluffy sobbed aloud. “Plenty of brave deeds have been done by dogs since then,” said the big dog. “An army of eight hundred dogs was employed by the Earl of Essex in putting down the Irish rebellion, and I myself have ths honour to be acquainted with a St. Bernard who wears a medal for valour, having saved the lives of twenty-two two-legged creatures—rescued from perishing in the snow.” “And Spot here knows a dog that killed twenty rats!” cried Fluffy, regarding his companion with admiration. “I have a terrier friend who tackled a' hundred rats in a room by himself, and killed the whole lot!” said the big dog. “Do you know there are 189 distinct

varieties of dog, and each in its way is valuable. Look, niy friends, at the Esquimaux dog; what would the two-legged creatures up North do without him, J should like to know? A team of them can travel ail day over the frozen ground, pulling a weight of half a ton at the rate of seven miles an hour!” "Do you know any sheep-dogs, sir?” asked Fluffy. “I can’t say that 1 do,” answered the big dog. “You see, they are so much engaged in business. In this country’

the dog drives the sheep, and acts for the shepherd; but in some other lands— South America, for instance—-ti e dog is shepherd and sheepdog 100. lie goes before the sheep and calls to then., and they follow him wherever lie leads, lie stays with the Hock day after day, and only runs home for his meals.” “I expect the two-legged creatures would soon die if it wasn’t for us dogs!” said Spot thoughtfully. “Very likely,” replied the big dog. "and that would account for the proverb.

‘Love me, love my dog!’ because the two are inseparable. Hello! here uc are al Exeter, and I must say good b)e. So glad lo have made your acquaintance. ’ The three dogs rubbed noses. “I‘lea sant journey!” barked the big dog. and waved his paw. ‘Goodbye! Good-bye!” cried Spot and Fluffy. When they were alone Spot < ried enthusiastically, •’Wasn’t he a jolly dog?” “Yes, indeed!” answered Fluffy; “and so well informed.”

“Ah!” said Spot, “there is nothing like travelling to improve the mind.” “I say,” said Fluffy, “let us follow out \oiir i«le.i with regard to a profession, and Le conip.iiiion* to *ome rich two legged traveller.” “I think we might do a great deal worse.” said Spot. “And now let us have a snooze, for my head fairly aches with t hinking.” Whereupon (he two dogs coiled them selves eosily in their straw, and were soon fast asleep.