[Illustration:
THE RAM.
]
Sheep are very useful animals: they are quiet and harmless. They tremble
at the voice of the shepherd, or at the barking of his dog; but, on the
great hills where they run about at liberty, away from the shepherd,
they shew more courage. Sometimes a Ram or Wether will boldly attack a
single dog, and often come off victorious; but when the danger is more
alarming, they collect the strength of the whole flock. On such
occasions they draw up in a complete body, placing the female and the
young in the middle, while the males take the foremost ranks, keeping
close by each other. Thus an armed front is formed on all sides that
cannot easily be attacked without danger of destruction to the dog. In
this manner they wait with firmness the approach of the enemy, nor does
their courage fail them in the moment of attack: for, when the dog
advances within a few yards of the line, the Rams dart upon him with
such force as to lay him dead at their feet, unless he save himself in
time by flight.
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