The shepherd and the gamekeeper are men in sympathy, for one is
dependent to some extent on the other. In the eyes of the keeper, the
shepherd is one of the most important persons on a farm. And where
there is not a good understanding between the two men the keeper
will suffer loss in game, and the shepherd not only in sheep, but in
rabbits. With rabbits to spare, the keeper's first thought is of his
friend the shepherd. The shepherd is vigilant by night as well as by
day, and may watch the interests of game without detriment to his own
charge. And it is a pleasure to the keeper to run his eye over the fold
when he passes that way to see if all is well. He comes to the rescue
of many a sheep on its back that would have remained on its back until
dead without his timely aid; and he saves the shepherd many possible
disasters through the flock breaking from the fold, when the sheep
might come to destruction by over-feeding on green-stuffs. Through
the long nights of the lambing-time the keeper may give the shepherd
his company over pipes of fragrant shag, and pots of heart-cheering
ale--hands, hearts, and ale alike made warm by the little stove in the
shepherd's movable house on wheels. Look well at a shepherd's back, and
you are likely to see a keeper's old coat.
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