the collie's origin.

But to Link Ferris's unsophisticated eyes the achievement was all
but supernatural, and it doubled his love for the dog.

That afternoon, by way of experiment, Ferris took Chum along when
he went to drive the sheep back from pasture to the fold. By the
time he and the dog were within a hundred yards of the pasture
gate Chum began to dance, from sheer anticipation; mincing
sidewise on the tips of his toes in true collie fashion, and
varying the dance by little rushes forward.

Link opened the crazy gate. Waiting for no further encouragement
the dog sped into the broad field and among the grazing sheep
that were distributed unevenly over the entire area of the lot.

Ordinarily--unless the sheep were ready to come home--it was a
matter of ten or fifteen minutes each evening for Link to collect
them and start them on their way. To-day, in less than three
minutes, Chum had the whole flock herded and trotting through the
opening, to the lane outside.

Nor, this time, did the sheep flee from him in the same panic
dread as in the morning. They seemed to have learned--if indeed a
sheep can ever learn anything--that Chum was their driver, not
their enemy.

From the fold Link as usual went to the woodlot where his five
head of lean milch cattle were at graze. Three of the cows were
waiting at the bars for him, but one heifer and a new-dry