The Latest "Pig and Dog" Yarn.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5197, 12 September 1885, Page 1

The Latest "Pig and Dog" Yarn.

The following good story is told by a correspondent in an Exchange :—'• It v now some ten years ago, aud I was at that time stationed m the Taupo district, being a member of theA.C. Force. There were about 700 mien, all told, in camp; but,

holding a commission, I occupied a small whnre within easy bugle call. Among my personal belongings was an old dog, of whom I was vary fond, he having been jjiren to me many years before by a friend. It was the only animal of the canine breed in camp, and at times poor old '* Jack" (the name I had given him) seemed rery low>spirited, and sadly in want of a companion. One morning I missed him, and a> he did not make bis appearance for several days, I began fo think I had lost' him altogether. But no, one evening, about dusk, my noble friend stalked into my hut, looking very penitent. He, however, appeared, to be in high spirits about something, and after licking "my hand and face several times, trotted out •gain, looking bsck to see if 1 wt-re following him. Thinking he perhaps had caught a rabbit and brought it home (not an unusual thing for him to do) I rose, and went to the door. Jack was there, sure enough, but what was that he had with him ?.- Not a rabbit, surely ? I took a step nearer, and could just make out some little black outline, and a pair of bright glistening eyes, but what it represented, the gathering darkness prevented me from discerning. Stooping, I made a sudden grab at it, but it evaded me, giving forth at the same time a sharp little grunt—it was a pig! Yes, it was undoubtedly a porker, and a very impudent one, too; for instead of " making tracks," as I fully expected it would do, it turned and quietly followed my dog into the hut. When I entered, piggie was " fossicking " among the remains of my late meal, while Master Jack lay by the fire-place, looking rather—well, "doggish." I called him to my side, and pointed to his strange companion, with a mute enquiry as to what he meant by bringing home such quarrie. Jack, bowever, wagged his tail, end ran eagerly towards his new chum, seeming very anxious I should make friends. I therefore put down a bowl of milk as a peaceoffering. This reassured him, and the nutricious fluid was speedily polished off, the two after a series of joyful evolutions, picking out a choice cort er in the hut and "bunking it" together. Several days passed, and as the dog and pig still preserved the bond of friendship, and no enquires were made concerning the ownership of the latter! I concluded I might consider it my rightful property. The two were always together, and soon " Tregbert's pig " became the talk of the camp. It was-after" Bruno" (the pig's norn de plume} had been in my possession some weeks that I first noticed the most remarkable feature of this strange friendship. I went down one morning for a bathe in the stream on the banks of which the camp was situated, and had not been ih'the water many seconds before I observed a most peculiar proceeding on the part of both dog and pig, who had followed me down. Evidently sniffing breakfast from the tents on the other side (for the camp, was situated on both banks). Jack calmly waded into the water, foU lowed by Bruno. When about knee deep, Jack stopped short, tke pig mounted his lack, and was conveyed in this position across the stream. I was so astonished that I had an extra dip under the water to make sure* I was not dreaming. But no, there were the two, safely across, and quietly trudging up the opposite bank to* wards the canteen. I quickly dressed after my bath, and went for breakfast. Jack and the pig did not show up till just before the mid-day mess, and from the watery appearance of both it was evident that the same mode of crossing the river that I had witnessed in the morning had been used. I related the incident to my brother officers that evening, being laughed at, they considering the thing absurd. I however .made a bet with two of them thafc, there would before long be a repeti tibia of this new mode of river conveyance, and invited them to accompany me on my next bathing excursion. Accordingly, next morning four of us took towels and wended our way to the bathing place, my : dog and hig companion following. Without fhe least hesitation, and before we "in tlie water ourselves, Jack entered the 'steam, and Bruno was conveyed across a la" pig a hack," I won my bet, and my •friends were obliged to confess it was the strangest proceeding they had ever witnessed. After this, the manipulations pf the two were almost a daily occurrence, they remaining on the opposite side the whole of the morning, and showing up again punctually at the dinner' hour. •When the camp broke up I was obliged to part with the pig, as I was going to another part of the coast. Jack was terribly cut up at the loss of his friend,,and .'gradually pined away. I afterwards learped Bruno suffered the same melancholy fate. Such is true-friendship, even among dumb animals, though, perhaps, a stranger acquaintanceship could not be imagined. I can vouch for the above facts, and I doubt not that many who were in the Taupo camp at the period I mention will also have a distinct remembrance of this strange episode."