Master Frisky/Chapter 15
The strangest of all the friendships among the dogs was that of Old Spot and Master Frisky. Spot was an aged hound, as deaf as a post, and partly blind. He was a homely old fellow, with long, drooping ears, a solemn expression, and a tail that curled over his back in a perfect circle.
It was he who taught Master Frisky mice-hunting and frog-hunting; and Frisky, in time, learned of the old hound most of that woodcraft that he had patiently gathered in many years.
One morning I went to the garden for some vegetables, and seeing Spot and Master Frisky in the orchard, paused to find out what they were up to. Old Spot was standing perfectly still in the grass, upon all-fours, as a dog usually stands; but Master Frisky was standing on his hind legs, resting his forepaws upon Spot's shoulder, looking intently now in this direction and now in that.
Presently he gave a sharp bark, and the two dogs started through the grass running at the top of their speed, Frisky leading. But soon they stopped, and after nosing around for a minute, seemed to find what they were after, and then lay down together.
I walked quickly to them, and saw that Old Spot was eating a field-mouse. Frisky did not like them at first, but he soon learned to. When the mouse had been eaten, they took their station as before to watch the grass, until some movement in it should tell them that a mouse was stirring. Quite frequently they were fooled; for, on going to the place where the grass had stirred, they would find a hop-toad or a snake, or nothing but a grasshopper.
Frog-hunting was for a long time a mystery to me. I would see Frisky and Old Spot go off in the morning, and perhaps not return until night; but when they did come back, they were covered with mud and very tired.
One day I took my telescope and followed at a distance, determined to find out, if possible, what they could find to do in the swamps. They started straight for a distant swamp, Spot leading, until they came to a ditch. Here they lay down in the grass, and looked intently into the reeds and lily pads that I knew fringed the edge of the ditch.
Suddenly Frisky gave his short, sharp bark, that even deaf Old Spot could hear, and both dogs dove into the water, and when they came out, Spot was holding a bullfrog by the hind leg.
My astonishment was too great for words; but it was still greater when, after offering him to Master Frisky, Old Spot lay down in the grass, and began munching down the poor frog.
I had seen enough, and so returned home, thinking, as I went, of the manner in which the big fish eat the little ones in this hungry world.
Dogs have almost as many kinds of out-door games as children, and it is very interesting to watch them at these sports. Spot was too old and stiff to take an active part in any of the running and jumping games, but he always attended, and sometimes acted as referee; but he liked best to be a spectator, that he might cheer for his friend, Master Frisky, when he was lucky enough to beat. When Frisky won the high jump over the front gate, Spot's joy knew no bounds; and he tore about like a wild dog, barking in his hoarse voice.
In the winter when there is a hard crust, it is great sport for the dogs to play tag. Then you will see them racing about like mad. When the dog that is tagging gets near enough to put his nose on the other dog's back, he gives a short bark, and then the dog that is touched, must tag till he can touch another in the same manner.
When there is a soft snow, they play, "Keep the Path," a game similar to children's "Fox and Geese." One of the older dogs marks out a runway of curious pattern, and they all run in it, one of the number chasing. It is against the rules to step out of the path; and when a dog is caught, he must chase until he catches another.
In the running games none of the others equalled Tom Hatch, the sheriff, who was a lank greyhound, and the swiftest dog that I have ever seen.
If you have never observed the dogs, do so, sometime in the winter, and watch them play these games, and you will be surprised to see them playing the same games, day after day, with as much interest as children.