110 NATURAL HISTORY IN ANECDOTE.

leads by a gentle declivity to the river Severn, One day a
child, in crossing the street, fell down in the middle of it
and a horse and cart, which was descending the hill, would
have passed over it, had not a Newfoundland dog rushed
to the rescue of the child, caught it up in his mouth, and
conveyed it in safety to the foot pavement.”

The promptitude with which he will leap into the water to
save the drowning, without waiting for any word of command,
is another illustration of this faculty. Another case related by
Mr. Jesse may be quoted. “In the year 1841, as a labourer,
named Rake, in the parish of Botley, near Southampton,
was at work in a gravel-pit, the top stratum gave way, and
he was buried up to his neck by the great quantity of gravel
which fell upon him. He was at the same time so much
hurt, two of his ribs being broken, that he found it impos-
sible to make any attempt to extricate himself from his
perilous situation. Indeed, nothing could be more fearful
than the prospect before him. No one was within hearing
of his cries, nor was any one likely to come near the spot.
He must almost inevitably have perished, had it not been
for a Newfoundland dog belonging to his employer. This
animal had been watching the man at his work for some
days, as if he had been aware that his assistance would be
required; for no particular attachment to each other had
been exhibited on either side. As soon, however, as the
accident occurred, the dog jumped into the pit, and com-
menced removing the gravel with his paws; and this he did
in so vigorous and expeditious a manner, that the poor man
was at length able to liberate himself, though with extreme
difficulty. What an example of kindness, sensibility, and I
may add reason, does this instance afford us!”

Mr. Youatt gives a remarkable illustration, also quoted by
Mr. Jesse, of a Newfoundland’s apparent perception of danger
of quite another sort. Finding it inconvenient to keep this
animal Mr. Youatt had given it to a friend, and four years passec