The Newfoundland Dog
One of the magistrates in Harbour Grace, in Newfoundland, had an old dog
of the regular web-footed species peculiar to that island, who was in the
habit of carrying a lantern before his master at night, as steadily as the
most attentive servant could do, stopping short when his master made a
stop, and proceeding when he saw him disposed to follow. If his master was
absent from home, on the lantern being fixed to his mouth, and the
given, "Go fetch thy master," he would immediately set off and proceed
directly to the town, which lay at the distance of more than a mile from
the place of his master's residence: he would then stop at the door of
every house which he knew his master was in the habit of frequenting, and
laying down his lantern, growl and strike the door, making all the noise
in his power until it was opened; if his master was not there, he would
proceed farther in the same manner, until he had found him. If he had
accompanied him only once into a house, this was sufficient to induce him
to take that house in his round.
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