19 DECEMBER 1896, Page 15

DOG STORIES.

[To TIM EDITOR OF THIS " SPICTATOR:]

Sia,—The perusal of Mr. Thomas Brooksbank's dog-story in the Spectator of September 12th has induced me to send you two anecdotes of a dog I owned a few years ago, in the hope that they may prove of interest to your readers.

While at Yemethen, in Upper Burmah, in 1888-89, I owned a half-bull, half-terrier dog called Peter,' who used to accom- pany me on my tours about the district. As a rule I used to ride from twenty to twenty-five miles a day, but occasionally had to travel twice that distance, in which case I used to send. on an extra pony half-way overnight. On the first occasion that I did this, Peter,' who had followed me till I changed ponies, disappeared, but I did not miss him till the end of my ride. Then I had search made for him in all directions, but in vain. Next morning, when the pony I had left at the half- way place was led in, there was 'Peter' trotting gaily at its heels. On inquiry from the syce (groom) I found 'Peter' had appeared from the jungle where he had been hiding as soon as I was out of sight, and had shared the syce's meal and the pony's bed. After this, whenever I changed ponies en route 'Peter' always stayed with the pony that had done the first half of the journey. He evidently reasoned it out that while he could comfortably go as far as one pony in a day, if he followed a second and a fresh pony he would have to go further and faster than he bargained for at starting. The reasoning faculty is also shown in his deciding to stay with the tired pony, which he rightly conjectured would follow next day.

The second story about the same dog shows the wonderful powers of memory some dogs possess. In 1890, having been transferred to the Tonngoo district, which is traversed by the Rangoon-Mandalay Railway, I used to do part of my touring by rail, ' Peter ' still being my constant companion during the six months I was in the district. One of the places which during this time I visited three or four times was Kanynt Kwin, a place on the railway line where there was a Govern- ment rest-house close to the railway station at which I used to put up. At the end of six months I was transferred to Rangoon, where I also remained six months, and was then again posted to Tonngoo. I started for Tonngoo by the night mail, leaving Rangoon at about 6.30 p.m., and due at Tonngoo about 4 a.m. In the carriage, which I had to myself, with me were 'Peter' and another dog, a recent acquisition. About 10 p.m. I fell asleep and did not wake again till the train reached Tonngoo. Then I found only the new fox-terrier pup in the car- riage. ' Peter ' was nowhere to be found. I telegraphed down the line offering a reward for his recovery, and about noon was pleased to see a native lead 'Peter' into my room. The native was the durwan or caretaker of the Kanyut Kwin rest-house, and he told me that a few minutes after the mail-train came in, he was awakened by a dog scratching at his bed, and got up and recognised the dog as one that used to accompany me formerly, so tied him up and took him to the station-master, who told him of the reward I had offered, and sent him on by the next train to me. The point of the story consists in the fact that on a journey from Rangoon to Tonngoo Kanyut Kwin is the first station within the limits of the latter district to be reached. —I am, Sir, Sm.,

J. W. DAVIDSON.

District Superintendent of Police. Akyab, Burmah, October 16th.