第2章

TheMasterstooped；pickedupthepistol，andhelditinbothhands。Lad，alleagerness，stooddancinglywaitingforhimtothrowitagain。Butitwasnotthrown。Instead，theMaster"broke"theweapon；shakingthegreasycartridgesoutontohisownpalmandthentransferringthemtohispockets。

"Incaseofaccidents，"heexplained，pleasantly，ashehandedthepistolbacktoitsscowlingowner。"Andifyou\'llstopatthepost-office，thisafternoon，you\'llfindtheseshellsinanenvelopeinyourletter-box。Now，chase；unlessyouwantLadtoescortyoutoyourboat。LadisfineatescortingundesirablesoffthePlace。Wanttoseehimperform？"

ButWefersdidnotanswer。Snatchingtheimpotentpistolandshovingitbackintohiscoattailpocket，hestrodelakeward，mutteringluridthreatsashewent。

TheMistresswatchedhislankfigureonitswaydownthelawntothedock。

"It\'s-it\'sAWFUL！"shefaltered，clutchingatherhusband\'sarm。

"Oh，youdon\'tsupposehecan——canreallygetleavetoshootLaddie，doyou？"

"Idon\'tknow，"answeredtheMaster，asuneasyasshe。"Amad-dogscarehasawayofthrowingeverybodyintoafoolpanic。There\'snoknowingwhatsomemagistratemaylethimdo。Butonethingismightycertain，"hereassuredher。"IfthewholeNationalGuardofNewJerseycomeshere，withatruckloadofshooting-warrants，theyaren\'tgoingtogetLaddie。Ipromiseyouthat。Idon\'tquiteknowhowwearegoingtopreventit。Butwe\'regoingto。

That\'sapledge。Soyou\'renottoworry。"

AstheytalkedtheycontinuedtowatchtheconstableinhisclumpingexitfromthePlace。Wefersreachedthedock，andstampedouttoitsextremeend，wherewasmooredtheliveryscowhehadcommandeeredforhisjourneyacrossthelakefromthevillage。

Alightwindwasblowing。Ithadcaughtthescow\'swidesternandhadswungitoutfromthedock。Wefersunhookedthechainanddroppeditclankinglyintothebottom。Then，withponderousuncertainty，hesteppedfromthedock\'sstring-piecetotheprowofhisboat。

Awhiffofbreezeslappedtheloosenedscow，broadsideon，andsentitdriftinganinchortwoaway。Asaresult，HomerWefers\'

largeshoe-solewasplantedontheedgeoftheprow，insteadofitscenter。Hissolewasslipperyfromthedewofthelawn。Theprow\'sedgewasstillmoreslippery，fromhavingbeenthesceneofarecentfish-cleaning。

Theconstable\'sganglingbodystroveinvaintoholdanysemblanceofbalance。Hisfootslidoutfromitsprecariousperch，pushingtheboatfartherintothelake。Andthedignifiedofficerflappedwildlyinmid-air。

Notbeingbuiltonalighter-than-airprinciple，hefailedtoholdthisundignifiedaerialposeformorethanthetenthofasecond。Attheendofthattimeheplungedsplashinglyintothelake，atadepthofsomethinglikeeightfeetofwater。

"Good！"applaudedtheMaster，astheMistressgaspedaloudinnotwhollysorrowfulsurpriseandasLadambledgaylydownthelawnforacloserviewofthishighlydivertingsight。"Good！Ihopeheruinseverystitchhehason；andthengetsrheumatismandtonsilitis。He——"

TheMaster\'sbabblingjawfellslack；andthepleasedgrinfadedfromhisface。

Wefershadcometothesurface，afterhisducking。Hewasfullythreeyardsbeyondthedockandasfarfromhisdriftingscow。

Andhewasdoingallmannerofsensationalthingswithhislankyarmsandlegsandbody。Inbrief，hewasdoingeverythingexceptswim。

ItwasthisphenomenonwhichhadwipedawaytheMaster\'sgrinofpurehappiness。

Anymanmayfallintothewater，andmaypresentamostludicrousspectacleindoingso。But，ontheinstanthecomestothesurface，hisveryfirstmotionswillshowwhetherornotheisaswimmer。IthadnotoccurredtotheMasterthatanyonerearedintheNorthJerseylake-countryshouldnothaveatleastenoughknowledgeofswimmingtocarryhimafewyards。But，evenasmanysailorscannotswimastroke，somanyaninlander，bornandbroughtupwithinsightoffreshwater，hasnevertakenthetroubletograspthesimplestrudimentsofnatation。Andsuchaman，veryevidently，wasHomerWefers，TownshipHeadConstable。

HishowlofcrasspanicwasnotneededtoprovethistotheMaster。Hiseverywildanticshowedit。Butthatsameterror-strickenscreechwasrequiredtosetforththetruesituationtotheonememberofthetriowhohadlearnedfrombirthtojudgebysoundandbyscent，ratherthanbymeresight。

Withnogoodgrace，theMasteryankedoffhisowncoatandwaistcoat，andbenttounstraphishikingboots。Hedidnotrelishtheprospectofawetting，forthemeresakeofsavingfromdeaththisatrocioustrespasser。Heknewthemancouldprobablykeepafloatforatleastaminutelonger。Andhewasnotmindedtoshortentheperiodoffearbyrippingoffhisownoutergarmentswithanymelodramatichaste。

Asheundidthefirstboot-latchet，hefelttheMistress\'stensefingersonhisshoulder。

"Wait！"sheexhortedAstoundedatthiscold-bloodedcounselfromhistender-heartedwife，helookedup，andfollowedthedirectionofhereagerlypointinghand。

"Look！"shewasexulting。"It\'llallsolveitself！Seeifitdoesn\'t。Look！Hecan\'tshootLaddie，after——after——"

TheMasterwasbarelyintimetoseeLadswirlalongthedockwithexpress-trainspeedandspringfaroutintothelake。

Thedogstruckwater，abareteninchesfromWefers\'madlytossinghead。Theconstable，inhiscrazypanic，flungbothbonyarmsaboutthedog。And，manandcollietogetherdisappearedunderthesurface，inaswirlofchurnedfoam。

TheMistresscriedaloud，atthishideousturnherprettyplanhadtaken。TheMaster，oneshoeoffandoneshoeon，hobbledattoppacetowardthedock。

Ashereachedthefootofthelawn，Lad\'sheadandshoulderscameintoviewabovethelittlewhirlpoolcausedbythesinkingbodies\'suction。And，atthesamemoment，theconvulsedfeaturesofHomerWefersshowedthroughtheeddy。Themanwasthrashingandtwistinginawaythatturnedthelakearoundhimintoawhitemaelstrom。

AstheMastersetfootonthedockhesawtheCollierushforwardwithanimpetusthatsentbothshaggymahoganyshouldersfaroutofwater。Strikingwithbrilliantaccuracy，thedogavoidedWefers\'flailingarmsandfeet，andclinchedhisstrongteethintothebackofthedrowningman\'scollar。

Thus，Ladwassafefromtheblindlyclingingarmsandfromakick。Hehadchosentheonestrategichold；andhemaintainedit。

Asplashingoftheunwieldybodymadebothheadsvanishunderwater，forabarehalf-second，astheMasterpoisedhimselfonthestring-pieceforadive。Butthedivewasnotmade。

Fortheheadsreappeared。Andnow，whetherfrompalsyoffrightorfrombelatedintelligence，——Wefersceasedhisuselessstruggles；thoughnothisstrangledshrieksforhelp。Thecollie，callingonallhiswirypower，struckoutforthedock；keepingtheman\'sfaceabovewater，andtuggingathissoggyweightwithascientificstrengththatsentthetwo，slowlybutsteadily，shoreward。

Afterthefewfeetofthehaul，Weferswentsilent。Intohisblanklyaffrightedfacecamealookoffoolishbewilderment。TheMaster，rememberinghiswife\'shint，andcertainnowofLad\'sabilitytocompletetherescue，stoodwaitingonthestring-piece。Once，forasecond，Wefers\'eyesmethis；buttheywereavertedinqueerhaste。

AsLadtuggedhisburdenbeneaththestringpiece，theMasterbentdownandgrippedthesoddenwetshouldersoftheconstable。Onenone-too-gentleheave，andWeferswaslyinginapantinganddrippingheaponthecleandock。Lad，relievedofhisheavyload，swamleisurelyaroundtoshore。Ithadbeenadelightfullythrillingday，thusfar，forthecollie。Buthewasjustabittired。

BythetimethedazedconstablewasabletositupandpeerowlishlyintotheunlovingfacesoftheMistressandtheMaster，Ladhadshakenhimselfthriceandwaspatteringacrossthedocktowardthegroup。Fromthetwohumans，Wefers\'gazeshiftedtotheoncomingdog。Thenheglancedbackatthesullendepthsoflakewaterbeyondthestring-piece。Thenhelethisheadsinkonhischest。Forperhapsawholeminute，hesatthus；hiseyesshut，hisbreathstillfastandhysterical。

Nobodyspoke。TheMistresslookeddownatthedrenchedman。ThenshewinkedattheequallysilentMaster，andlaidacaressinglittlehandonLad\'swethead。Atlength，Wefersliftedhisfaceandgloweredatthetrio。But，ashiseyemetLad\'squizzicallyinterestedgaze，hefidgeted。

"Well？"promptedtheMaster，"doyouwantthosecartridgesback？"

Wefersfavoredhimwithascowlofutterdislike。Then，hiseyesagainaverted，thewetmanmumbled"Icomeoverheretoday，todomydooty——Dogsthatgetbitbymaddogshadoughttobeshot——Icomeoverheretodomydooty。

Likewise，Idoneit——Ishotthatdogofyoursthatgotbit，yest\'day。"

"Huh？"ejaculatedtheMaster。

"Thisdogherelookssomelikehim，"wentonWefers，sulkily。

"Butitain\'thim。AndI\'llsoreporttotheauthor\'ties——IdonewhatIcometodo。Thecaseisclosed。And-and-ifyoufolkseverwanttosellyourdog，why，——well，I\'lljustgomortgagesomethingand——andbuyhimoff\'nyou！"

CHAPTERIII。NoTrespassing！

Therewerefourofthem；twogaudily-claddamselsandtwomen。

Themen，intheirownway，wereattiredasgloriouslyasthemaidenstheywereescorting。Thequartetaddedgenerouslytotheglowingbeautyofthesummerday。

Downthelaketheycame，inacanoemodestlyscarletexceptforasinglebroadpurplestripeunderthegunwale。Thecanoe\'stonesblendedsweetlywiththepinkparasolandbluepicturehatofoneofthewomen。

Stolidandunshavenfishermen，indrabscows，alongthecanoe\'sroute，lookedupfromtheirlines，inbovinewonderatthevisionoflovelinesswhichsweptresonantlypastthem。Forthequartetwerewarbling。Theywerealsodoingqueermusicalstuntswhicharefondlymiscalled"closeharmony。"

Thusdotheyandtheirkindpayhomagetoadivinedayonafire-bluelake，amidthehushoftheeternalhills。Lessersoulsmayfindthemselvesspeakinginfewandlow-pitchedwords，undertheholyspellofsuchsurroundings。Buttoloftiertypesofholiday-seekers，thebenignantsilencesofthewildernessareputtherebyanall-wiseProvidenceforthepurposeofbeingfracturedbyanyracketdenotingcare-freemerriment；——thelouderthemerrier。Thereisnothingsoracket-breedingasaperfectdayamidperfectscenery。

Thefourrevelershadpaddleddownintothelake，onaday\'spicnicking。TheyhadcomefromfaruptheRamaporiver；beyondSuffern。Andthelongdownstreamjaunthadmadethemhungry。

Wherefore，astheyreachedmid-lakestheybegantoinspectthewoodedshoresforanattractiveluncheon-site。Andtheyfoundwhattheysought。

Ahalf-miletosouthward，agentlyrollingpointoflandpushedoutintothelake。Itwassmooth-shavenandemerald-bright。Itformedthelowerendofalawn；slopinggentlydownward，ahundredyardsormore，fromagrayoldhousewhichnestledhappilyamongmightyoaksonaplateauatthelowhill\'ssummit。

Thepoint(withitspatchofbeach-sandatthewater\'sedge，andwithcomfortableshadefromalakesidetreeorso)，promisedanidealpicnic-ground。Theshavengrassnotonlyofferedfinepossibilitiesforanafter-luncheonsnooze；butwasthemostconvenientsortofplaceforthelaterstrewingofgreasynewspapersandJapanesenapkinsandwoodenplattersandcrustsandchickenbonesandthelike。

Moreover，aseverelyplain"NoTrespass"sign，atthelake-margin，wouldserveasidealkindlingforajollylittlecamp-fire。Thereisalwaysazestinusingtrespassboardsforpicnicfires。Notonlyaretheyseasonedandpaintedinawaytocausequickignition，butpeoplelaughsoappreciatively，whenonetells，afterward，ofthebitofjovialaudacity。

Yes，thispointwasjusttheplaceforluncheonandforsiesta。

Itmighthavebeenmadetoorder。Andbytacitconsentthetwopaddlerssenttheirmulti-chromecanoesweepingtowardit。Fiveminuteslater，theyhadhelpedthegirlsashoreandwereliftingoutthelunch-basketandvariousnewspaperparcelsandthered-and-purplecushions。

Withmuchlaughterandasnatchortwoofcloseharmony，thelunchwasspread。Oneofthemenpickedoutaplaceforthefire(againstthetrunkofatwo-centuryoak；perhapsthemillionthnobleoldtreetobethreatenedthuswithdeathfromcare-freepicnickers\'fires)andtheothermansaunteredacrosstothetrespassboardtoannexitforkindling。

Everythingwassohappyandsocompleteandeveryonewashavingsuchaperfecttime！IntosuchmomentsFatelovesbesttotossTrouble。And，thisday，Fateplayedtruetoform。

Asthefire-maker\'shandwaslaidonthetrespassboard，evenashisinconsequentialmuscleswerebracedtoripitloosefromitspost，——asquealfromthegirlinthebluepicturehatandtheNile-greengeorgettewaist，checkedhismirthfulactivities。

Now，therewasnothingremarkableinthefactthatthechromaticlasshadsquealed。Indeed，sheandherequallyfaircompanionhadbeensquealingatintervals，allmorning。Buttherewasnothingcoquettishorgayaboutthisparticularsqueal。Itsavoredratherofascreech。Initsshrillnotewasatinythreadofterror。Andthetwomenwheeledabout，tolook。

Theblue-hattedgirlhadpausedinherdaintylaborofhelpingtospreadoutthelunch；inordertopeepinquisitivelyuptheslopetowardthetree-framedhouseabove。Itmightbefun，aftereating，tostrollupthereandsquintinthroughtheverandawindows；or，——ifnoonewasathome，togatheranarmfuloftherosesthatclamberedoveroneendoftheporch。

Duringthatbriefexploratoryglance，hereyehadbeencaughtbysomethingmovingthroughthewoodsbeyond。

Behindthehouse，thesewoodsranuptothehighroad，afurlongabove。Adrivewayledtwistinglydownfromthegate-lodge，tothehouse。Alongthisdrive，waspacingadog。

Asthegirlcaughtsightofhim，thedoghaltedinhislazystrollandstoodeagerlyerect，hisnoseupraised，histulipearspricked。Soundorscent，orboth，hadbeenarrestedbysomeunusualpresence。Andhepausedtoverifythewarning。

Ashestoodthere，aninstant，intheshade-fleckeddriveway，thegirlsawhewasacollie；massive，graceful，majestic；inthefullstrengthofhisearlyprime；hisshaggycoatofburnishedmahogany-and-snowglintingbacktheshowersofsun-raysthatfiltereddownthroughtheleaves。

Beforethewatchinggirlcouldtakefurthernoteofhim，thedog\'saspectoftenselisteningmergedintocertainty。Withnofurthershadowofdoubtastodirection，hesetoffatasweepingrunpastthehouseandtowardthepoint。

Heranwithheaddown；andwithtawnyruffabristle。Therewassomethinginhislithegallopthatwasasominousasitwasbeautiful。And，nervousatthegreatcollie\'sapproach，thegirlsquealed。

IthadbeenadullmorningforLad。TheMistresswasintownfortheday。TheMasterwasshutupinhisstudy，hardatwork。And，foronce，hehadnotrememberedtocallLadtoarestingplaceonthestudyrug；beforeclosingthedoorontheoutsideworld。

Aloneandbored，thecolliehadwanderedintothewoods；inquestofpossiblerabbitstochaseorsquirrelstotree。Findingthesporttame，hestartedhomeward。Midwaydownthedrive，hissupersensitivenostrilscaughtthewhiffofalienhumansonthePlace。Atthesametime，heheardtheraucousgabblingofseveralvoices。Thoughhisnear-sightedeyesdidnotyetshowtheintruderstohim，yetscentandsoundmadeitridiculouslyeasyforhimtotracethem。

Fromearlypuppyhood，LadhadbeentheofficialguardianofthePlace。Heknewthelimitsofitsthirtyacres；fromlaketohighroad；fromboundaryfencetoboundaryfence。Heknew，too，thatvisitorsmustnotbemolestedaslongastheywereonthedriveway；butthatnostrangermightbeallowedtocrosstheland，byanyotherroute；ortotrespassonlawnoroak-grove。

Andnow，apparently，strangerswereholdingsomesortofunlicensedrevelry，downonthepoint。HissenseofsmelltoldhimthatneithertheMasternoranyoneelsebelongingtothePlacewaswiththem。TruewatchdogindignationswelledupinLad\'sheart。Andheranattopspeed。

Thegirl\'sthreecompanions，turningatsightofhergesturinghand，beheldamahogany-and-whitethunderboltwhizzingdownthehundred-yardslopetowardthem。

Itchancedthatboththemenhadservedlongapprenticeshipasdog-fanciers；andthatbothofthemknewcollies。Thus，nosecondlookwasneeded。OneglimpseofthesilentlychargingLadtoldthemalltheyneededtoknow。Notinthiswaydoesablatantorbluffingwatchdogseektoshooofftrespassers。Thisgiantcollie，withhisloweredheadandglintingfangsandrufflinghackles，meantbusiness。Andthemenactedaccordingly。

"Runforit！"bellowedoneofthem；settingasplendidexamplebyreachingthebeachedcanoeatasinglescramblingbound。Thesecondmanwasnowhitbehindhim。Betweenthem，thecanoe，atoneshove，waslaunched。Thefirstmangrabbedoneofthegirlsbythearmandpropelledherintothewobblingcraft；whiletheothershovedoff。Theremaininggirl，——sheoftheazureheadgearandtheverdantwaist，——slippedonthegrassybank，inherflight，andsatdownveryhard，atthewater\'sedge。Alreadythecanoewassixfeetfromshore；andbothmenweredoingcreditableacrobaticstuntstokeepitfromturningturtle。

"Standperfec\'lystill，"oneofthemexhortedthedamsel，ashesawwithhorrorthatshehadbeenleftashoreinthetumblingflight。"Standstillanddon\'tholler！Keepyourhandshigh。It\'slikelyhewon\'tbotheryou。Thesehighbredcolliesareprettygentlewithwomen；butsomeof\'emarebluemurdertostrangemen。He——"

Themanswayedforbalance。Hisfellow-herohadbroughtthecanoeabout，inanefforttosmitewithupliftedpaddleattheoncomingdogwithoutventuringtooclosetothedanger-line。

Inthesamemoment，Ladhadgainedthebrinkofthelake。

Ignoringthepanic-struckwomanonthebank，heflashedpastherandgalloped，body-deep，intothewater；towardtheswayingcanoe。

Herehepaused。ForLadwasanythingbutafool。And，likeotherwisecollies，hehadsenseenoughtorealizethataswimmingdogisoneofthemosthelplesscreaturesintheuniverse；whenitcomestoself-defense。

Ashore，orinwatershallowenoughtomaneuverhispowerfulbody，Ladcouldgiveexcellentaccountofhimselfagainstanynormalfoe。But，beyondhisdepth，hewouldfalleasyvictimtothefirstwell-aimedpaddle-stroke。Andheknewit。Thus，hesitant，hissnarlingteethnottwoyardsfromthecanoe，hestoodgrowlinginfutileindignationatthecrankycraft\'scrankieroccupants。

Thegirlwhoremainedonshorepluckedupenoughpanic-couragetocatchhergaudypinkparasolbytheferuleandtoswingitsheavyhandlewithallherfear-drivenstrengthatLad\'sskull。Luckily，theaimwasasbadasitwasvehement。Thehandlegrazedthedog\'sshoulder，thenstruckthelakewithaforcethatsnappedtheflimsyparasolintwo。Whereatthegirlshriekedaloud；andscuttledbackasLadspunaroundtofaceher。

Butshemightaswellhavesparedherselfthescream。Shewasinnodanger。True，thecolliehadwhirledtoseekandresentthisnewsourceofattack。But，seeingonlyayellingandretreatingwomanbehindhim，hecontentedhimselfwithamenacinggrowl，andturnedagaintowardthecanoe。

Oneofthemen，poisinghimself，hadswungalofthispaddle。Now，withfullstrength，hebroughtdowntheedgedbladeatthedog\'shead。

Butitisonethingtoaimablow，fromatiltingcanoe；andquiteanothertomakethatblowlandinthespotaimedfor。

Thewhizzingpaddle-blademissedLad，clean。Notonlybecausethedogveeredsharplyasideasitdescended，butbecausethecanoe，underthejarringheaveofthestriker\'sbody，proceededtoturnturtle。

Intothewaterploppedthetwomen。Intothewater，withthem，splashedtheirrescuedcompanion。Thisgentlesoulhadnotceasedscreaming，fromthetimeshewashauledaboard。Butnow，submergencecutshorthercries。Asecondlater，thelamentationsrecommenced；inhigherifmoreliquidvolume。For，theshore，atthepointslopedverygraduallyouttodeeperwater。Andimmediately，sheandthetwomenhadregainedtheirfoothold。

There，chestdeepthetriostoodorstaggered。And，there，betweenthemandthebeach，ragedLad。Noneofthethreecaredtoriskwadingshoreward，withsuchanobstaclebetweenthemselvesandland。Thegirlonthebankaddedherquotaofsquallstothoseofhersemi-engulfedfriend；andoneofthemenbegantoreachfarunderwaterforarocktothrowattheguarddog。

ThefirstshrillcryhadreachedtheMaster，ashesatatworkinhisstudy。Downtheslopehecamerunning；andstoppedinslack-jawedamazeatthetableauinfrontofhim。

Onthebankhoppedandwriggledawomaninvividgarments，——awomanwhowavedabrokenparasolandseemedtobepracticinganIndianwar-howl。Elbowdeepintheplacidwatersofthelakeflounderedanotherwomanalmostaswonderfullyattiredasthefirst，andquiteasvocal。Oneithersideofherwasadrenchedandgesticulatingman。Inthebackgroundbobbedanupsetcanoe。

BetweenthetwodisruptedfactionsofthehappypicnicpartystoodLad。

Thecolliehadceasedtogrowl；and，withheadononeside，waslookingineagerinquiryattheMaster。Ladhadcarriedthiswatchdogexploittoapointwherethenextmovewashardtofigureout。HewasgladtheMasterhadarrived，totakechargeofthesituation。Itseemedtocallforhuman，ratherthancanine，solution。AndLadwasprofoundlyinterestedastothesequel。Allofwhichshowedasclearlyinthecollie\'swhimsicallyexpressivefaceaseveritcouldhavebeensetforthinprint。

Bothmenbegantotalkatonce；withluridearnestnessandvastwealthofgesture。Sodidthewomen。

Therewasnoneed。TheMaster，already，hadcaughtsightofthehalf-spreadlunchonthegrass。Anditwasbynomeanshisfirstorhistenthexperiencewithtrespassers。Heunderstood。Snappinghisfingers，tosummonLadtohisside，hepattedthedog\'ssilkenhead；andstrovenottolaugh。

"Andjustaswewassittingdown，peaceful，toeat，andnotharmingnooneatallandmindingourownbusiness，"cameafragmentofoneman\'soration，abovetheclamoroftheothers，"thatbigdark-sablecollieofyourscametearingdownonusand——"

Thetripleoppositionofoutcryandcomplaintblurredtherestofhisenragedwhine。ButtheMasterlookedoutathiminnewinterest。Themanhadusedtheterm，"dark-sablecollie"；which，bytheway，wasthetechnicalphraseforLad\'scoloring。Notonenon-collie-maninathousandwouldhaveknownthemeaningoftheterm；tosaynothingofusingitbyinstinct。TheMasterstaredcuriouslyattheflounderingandsputteringspeaker。

"Aren\'tyouthemanageroftheLochaberCollieKennels，upatBeauville？"heasked，speakingloudenoughtobeheardabovethesubsidingdin。"IthinkI\'veseenyouatWestminsterandatsomeofthelocalshows。Highamisyourname，isn\'tit？"

"Yes，itis，"returnedthekennelman，truculent，butsurprisedalmostintocivility。"Andthisismyassistant，MisterRice。Andthesetwoyoungladyfriendsofoursare——Say！"hebrokeoff，furiously，rememberinghisplightandswingingbacktorage，ashebegantowadeshoreward。"We\'regoingtohavethelawonyou，friend！Yourcollietackleduswhenwewaspeaceably-"

"Whenyouwerepeaceablyignoringthistrespasssignofmine？"

finishedtheMaster。"Don\'tforgetthat。Ifyoudidn\'thavethesegirlswithyou，I\'dkeepmyhandsoffLad\'scollarandlethimholdyououtinthelaketillitfreezesforthewinter。Asitis，oneofyoumencanswimoutforyourcanoeandtowitin；andthentherestofyoucanbundleaboarditandfinishyourpicniconsomebodyelse\'sland。"

"Well！"shrilledthewetdamsel，stridingshorewardlikesomesloppilyoverdressedVenusrisingfromthesea。"Well！IMUST

say！Niceneighborly，hospitablewaytotreatpoorunfortunate——！"

"Trespassers？"suggestedtheMaster，asshegropedforaclimaxword。"You\'reright。Itisnowaytotreatawomanwhohasfallenintothelake；trespasserornot。Ifyouandthisotheryoungladycaretogouptothekitchen，themaidswillseethatyourclothesaredried；andthey\'lllendyouotherclothestogohomein。Ladwon\'thurtyou。Andinthishotweatheryou\'reinnodangerofcatchingcold。Whileyou\'regone，HighamandRicecangetholdofthecanoeandrightitandbailitout。And，bytheway，Iwantoneofyoutwomentoclearthatlitteroffoodandgreasypaperoffmylawn。Then——"

"Intothekitchen！"snortedthewetmaid。"IntotheKITCHEN？I\'malady！Idon\'tgointokitchens。I——"

"No？"queriedtheMaster，tryingoncemorenottolaugh。"Well，mywifedoes。Sodoesmymother。Ispokeofthekitchenbecauseit\'stheonlyroomwithafireinit，inthisweather。Ifyou\'dpreferthebarnor——"

"Iwon\'tsteponefootinyourhouse！"declaimedthegirl。"NoryetIdidn\'tcomeheretobeinsulted。You\'vegoneandspoiledourwholeday，youbigbrute！Boys，gogetthatcanoe！Wewon\'tlowerourselvesbystayinganotherminuteonhisrottenland。

Afterward，ourlawyer\'llseewhat\'sthepenaltyfortreatinguslikethis！Hurryup！"

Ricehadclumpedalongshoreuntilhefoundadeadbranchwashedupinarecentrainstorm。Wadingbackintodeeperwaterhewasjustabletoreachthegunwaleofthedriftingcanoewiththeforkedendoftheboughand，bycarefuljockeying，tohaulitwithinhand-grasp。

AidedbyHigham，hedrewtheoverturnedcrafttothebeachandrightedit。Allthetime，bothmenmaintainedahalf-coherentdiatribe，whoselanguagewaxedhotterandhotterandwhosethunderboltscenteredabouttheMasterandhisdog；——particularlyaboutLad；——andaboutthedirelegalpenaltieswhichweretobeinflictedonthem。

TheMaster，stillholdingLad\'sruff，stoodtoonesideduringtheworkofsalvagingthecanoe；andwhileRicereplacedthepaddlesandcushionsinit。Onlywhenthetwowomenwerehelpedsputteringlyaboarddidheinterfere。

"Oneminute！"hesaid。"Ithinkyou\'veforgottenyourlunch。Thatandthereamortwoofnewspapersyou\'vestrewnaround:andafewwoodendishes。I——"

"Ipickedupallthelunchthatwasworthsaving，"gruntedRice。

"Yourmangycollietrampledtherestofit，whenherandownhereatus。Iwishtit\'dhadstrychniainitandhe\'detit！We\'llgoeatourdinnerovertothevillage。And，beforewego，IgotthismuchmoretosaytoYOU:——If——"

"Beforeyougo，"interruptedtheMaster，shiftinghimselfandLadbetweenHighamandthecanoe，"beforeyougo，letmeremindyouthatyou\'veleftalotoflitteronmycleanlawn；andthatI

askedyoutocleanitup。"

"Gocleanitup，yourself！"snappedRice，fromtheboat。"Thisupstagetalkabout\'trespassing\'makesmesick！Assoonasaguyhasathree-dollarpatchofbumland(withamortgageeatingitup，mostlikely)，healwaysblatsabout\'trespassing\'wheneverdecentfolkshappenstowalkonit。Gocleanupthepapers，yourself！Weain\'tyourslaves。You\'reduetohearalotfromus，later，too。Cleanit，yourself！"

Theladiesapplaudedthesestirringproletariatsentimentsrightvigorously。ButHighamdidnotapplaud。Riceandthewomenwereinthecanoe。Highamhadgonebacktothepicnicsiteforanoverlookedcushion。Onreturningtowardthebeach，hehadfoundtheMasterandLadstandinginhisway。Loftily，hemadeasthoughtoskirtthemandreachthecanoe。

"WATCHhim，Laddie！"whisperedtheMaster，loosinghisholdonthedog\'sruff。

This，inthemidstofRice\'stirade。Highamstoodextremelystill。Astheothersapplauded，hebegan，veryfervently，toswear。

"Higham，"suggestedtheMaster，"I\'venopersonalobjectiontoyourblasphemy。Ifthewomenofyourpartycanstandit，Ican。

Butaren\'tyouwastingagooddealoftime！Thesepapershaveallgottobepickedup，youknow；andthecampnicelypoliced。Getbusy。"

Highamgloweredonhiminmurderoushate；thenatthetenselywatchingdog。Lad\'supperlipcurled。Themantookatentativesteptowardthebeach。Ladcrouched，panther-like；andalowgrowlpartedstillfurtherhiswrithinglips。

Highamwasenoughofacolliemantoforeseetheinevitablenextmove。Hestoodstockstill。TheMasterputhishandoncemoreonLad\'sruff；butnonetootightly。Andhenoddedtowardtheclutterofnewspapersandwoodenplates。Higham\'slanguagesoaredspoutinglytohighheaven。Butheturnedbackand，withviciousgrabs，clearedthelawnofitsunsightlylitter。

"Takeitintotheboatwithyou。"saidtheMaster。"That\'sall。

Goodbye。SeeyouattheBeauvilleshow。"

Waitingonlyforthecanoeanditsfourvociferousoccupantstostartsafelyfromshore，theMasterreturnedtothehouse；Ladathisheels；pursuedbyaquadrupleavalancheofabusefromthedamptrespassers。

"There\'llbeacomebackofsomekindtothis，Laddie，"hetoldthecollie，astheymovedon。"Idon\'tknowjustwhatit\'llbe。

Butthosetwoworthyyouthsdidn\'tlookatalllovinglyatus。

Andthere\'snothingelseincountrylifesofilthilymeanasanevictedtrespasser。Don\'tlet\'ssayanythingtotheMistressaboutit，Lad。It\'donlyworryher！And——andshe\'llthinkIoughttohaveinvitedallthosepanhandlersuptothehousetogetdry。

Perhapsshe\'dberight，too。Shegenerallyis。"

Aweeklater，Ladreceivedasummonsthatmadehisheartsink。

Forheknewpreciselywhatitforetold。Hewascalledtothebathroom；whereawaitedhimatubhalffullofwarmwater。

Now，bathswerenonoveltytoLad。Butwhenabathtubcontainedcertainingredientsfromboxesonthedog-closetshelf，——ingredientsthatfluffthecoatandburnishitandmakeallitshairsstandoutlikeaCircassianBeauty\'s，thatmeantbutonething。

Itmeantadog-showwasathand。

AndLadloatheddog-shows，asheloathedtrampsandcastoroilandmotorcycles。

Afterasingleexperience，hehadneverbeentakentooneofthosecanineordealsknownas"three-or-more-dayshows。"ButtheMistressandtheMasterrejoicedathistriumphsatsuchlocalone-dayshowsaswerewithinpleasantdrivingdistanceofthePlace。Theseexhibitionsentailednogreatstrainordanger。

Lad\'schiefobjectiontothemwasthathehatedtobechirpedtoandpawedandstareduponbyanarmyofstrangers。

Suchaone-dayeventwastheoutdoorCharityDogshowattheBeauvilleCountryClub，fortymilestonortheastofthePlace；aneasytwo-hourdrive。Itwastobea"specialtyshow"；atwhichtherichnessandvarietyofprizeswereexpectedtoatoneforthelackofA。K。C。pointsinvolved。

Apremium-listoftheshowhadbeenmailedtothePlace；andoneofits"specials"hadcaughttheMistress\'squickeyeandquickerimagination。ThespecialwasofferedbyAngusMcGilead，anexiledScotwhoselifefadwastheCollie；andwhosechiefgrievancewasthatmostAmericanbreedersdidnotseemabletoproducecollieswiththeunbelievablewealthofouter-and-undercoatdisplayedbytheoverseadogs。Thisparticularspecialwasofferedinthefollowingterms:

EmbossedSterlingSilverCup，9InchesHigh(GenuineAntique)ForTheBest-CoatedCollieShown。

Now，Lad\'scoatwastheprideoftheMistress\'sheart。Bydailybrushingsshekeptitinperfectconditionandencourageditsluxuriantgrowth。WhenshereadofMcGilead\'seccentricoffer，shefelltovisualizingthe"embossedsterlingsilvercup，9

incheshigh(genuineantique)"asitwouldloomupfromthehedgeofdog-showprizesalreadyadorningthelivingroomtrophy-shelves。

Summeristhezerohourforcollies\'coats。Yet，thisyear，Ladhadnotyetbeguntoshedhiswinterraiment；andhewasstillinfullbloom。ThisfactdecidedtheMistress。Notonecollieintenwouldbeinanythinglikeperfectcoat。Andtheprizecupgrewclearerandnearer，tohermentalvision。Hencetheseriesofspecialbathsandbrushings。Hence，too，Laddie\'sdaily-increasinggloom。

Ateighto\'clockonthemorningoftheshow，theMistressandtheMaster，withLadstretchedforlornlyontherearseatofthecar，setforthuptheValleyontheforty-mileruntoBeauville。Onthetonneaufloor，infrontofLad，restedabatteredsuitcase，whichheldhistoiletappurtenances；——brushes，comb，talcum，Frenchchalk，show-leash，sponge，crashtowel，squeakingrubberdoll(thistoattracthisboredinterestintheringandmakehim"show")andaboxoflivercutinsmallbitsandfriedstiff。

Ladblinkeddownatthesuitcaseinmorosedisapproval。Hehatedthatbag。Itspelt"dogshow"tohim。Eventhepresenceofthedeliciousfriedliverandofthemildlydramaticsqueakingdollcouldnotatonefortherestofitscontentsandforalltheyimplied。

AsthecarsentthemilesslippingbehindandastheMistressandtheMasterglancedbacklessandlessoftenforapatoracheerywordtotheirsulkingchum，Lad\'sdislikeforthatpestilentialbaggrewsharper。True，itheldsquaresoffriedliver；——liverwhoseheavenlyodorpenetratedthroughthemustyleathersmellofthesuitcaseandtothedog\'sacutesenses。Also，itheldadollwhichexudedthrillingsqueakswhengentlybitten。Butthesethings，heknewfullwell，weredesignedasshow-ringbaits；notasfreegifts。

No，thebagwashisenemy。And，unlikehisfewothernaturalfoes，Ladhadneverbeenbiddentoleaveitunmolested。Thismemorycametohim，inthemidstofhisblues。Heeyedtheloathsomesuitcasethroughquizzicalhalf-shuteyes，asitrockedandcareenedathisfeetwitheveryjounceofthecar。Andintohisbrainshotthedevilofmischief。

Bendingdownhisshapelyhead，hetookthehandleofthecasebetweenhisteeth。Then，bracinghislittlewhiteforepawsontheslipperyleatherseat，heheavedwithallthemightystrengthofhisbackandshoulders。Undersuchurgence，thelightsuitcaseswunghighinair。Asidewaystossofthemuscularthroat，andthesuitcasewhirledclearofthecardoorandoftherunning-boardbeneath。ThenLadletgo；andsettledhimselfbacksmuglyintheseat。Thelucklesssuitcasesmotetheroaddustandrolledintoagrassyditch。Thecarspedon。Lad，forthemoment，wasnearlyhappy。Ifhewerenotabletododgetheshowitself，atleasthehadgottenridoftheodiousthingwhichheldsomuchhedetestedandwhichwasalwaysaninseparablepartoftheordealshewastakento。

Arrivedatthecountryclubwhosegroundshadbeenfittedforthecharityshow，Ladwasbenchedintheshade。Andthere，alltherestofthemorning，heremained。ForLoder，judgeofthecolliesandOldEnglishSheepdogsandoftwootherbreeds，hadmissedatrainfromCanada；andhadnotyetarrived。Hisvariousclasseswereheldup，pendinghisadvent。

"Loder\'saluckyman，atthat，"commentedtheToyBreedsjudge，withwhomtheMasterchancedtobetalking。"Andhe\'llbestillluckierifhemissesthewholeshow。You\'smallexhibitors\'havenonotionoftherottendealhandedtoadog-showjudge；——thoughlotsofyoudomorethanyoursharetowardmakinghislifeaburden。Beforethejudgingbegins，someoftheexhibitorsactasiftheywantedtokisshim。Nothing\'stoogoodforhim。Hewadeschin-deepthroughflatteryandlovingattentions。Then，afterthejudgingisover，heisaboutaspopularwiththosesameexhibitorsasatyphoidgerm。Noonecansaybadenoughthingsabouthim。He\'s\'incompetent，\'he\'s\'agrafter，——\'he\'s\'afraidofthebigkennels，\'——he\'s\'drunk。\'He\'sanyofthesethings；orallofthemputtogether。Nobody\'ssatisfied。Everybodyhashadarawdeal。Everybody\'shammerisoutforthepoorslobofajudge。

Well，noteverybody\'s，ofcourse。Therearesomerealsportsmenleftcrawlingonthesurfaceoftheearth。Butthebigmajoritypanhim，allthewayhome；andthensomeofthemroasthiminprint。TheIncomeTaxmanisapopularfavorite，comparedwithadog-showjudge。"

"But——"

"Then，again，"pursuedtheToyBreedsman，"he\'sgottoleavehisheartathome，ifhedoesn\'twantittoachewhenhehasto\'gate\'thesecond-ratemuttsshownbyoutsiderswhoneverexhibitedbeforeandwhothinktheirpetdogoughttogeteveryprizebecausehe\'ssocunningandfriendly。Ihateto——"

TheMistresscamehurryingupfromacarefulinspectionofthelineofcollies。Drawingherhusbandaside，shewhispered，excitedly"There\'sonlyoneothercolliehere，whosecoatcananywherenearequalLaddie\'s。Therestareallinshabbysummercoat。Comeacrossandletmeshowhimtoyou。I\'m——I\'mafraidhehasagorgeouscoat。Notthat_I_thinkit\'shalfasgoodasLad\'s，"

sheadded，loyally，asshepilotedtheMasterbetweenthedoublelinesofclamorousdogs。"But——oh，I\'msoafraidthejudgemaythinkitis！Yousee，hedoesn\'tknowLaddieaswedo。"

Shestoppedbeforeabenchwhereonlayapalegoldensablecollie；almostcorn-colored；whoboastedawealthandmagnificenceofcoatthatmadetheMasteropenhiseyeswide。

ThedogwassmallerandslighterofframethanwasLad。Nor，inheadandexpression，washeLad\'sequal。Buthiscoatwaseverybitasluxuriant。Indeed，therewasperhapsashademoreofitthanLadcarried。

Acollie\'scoat，asarule，takesaboutsevenmonthstogrow。

Thus，eachyear，itcomesintofullbloomalittlelaterthanontheyearbefore。And，incourseoftime，itispronetoreachitsclimaxofexcellenceinsummer。ThiswasthelotofbothLadandthepaler-hueddog。

"LochaberKing，"readtheMaster，fromhiscatalog。"H\'m！That\'sColonelOsbourne\'sgreatestpup。Remember，wesawhimatWestminster？It\'snip-and-tuck，betweenhimandLad；withalittleinthisdog\'sfavor。Toughluck！"

"Oh，thishasbeenjustoneofthosedaysnobodywants！"mournedtheMistress。"First，ourforgettingtobringalongLaddie\'ssuitcase，thoughIcouldhaveswornIsawyouliftitaboard，——andthenthejudgenotbeinghere；andnowthishorridcolliewithhiswonderfulcoat！Whatnext，Iwonder？"

Likeawell-stagedbitofmechanism，thereplytoherrhetoricalquestioncamedowntoherfromheaven。Itcameintheshapeofathunder-rollthatbeganfaroffandreverberatedfrommountaintomountain；thenmuttereditselfintosilenceinthemoredistanthills。TheMistress，likeeveryoneelse，lookedskyward。

Thehazyblueofthesummernoonwaspalingtodirtygrayandblack。UpfromtheHudson，afast-mountingarrayofdunandflame-shotcloudswerebuttingtheirbullyingway。Noweather-prophetwasneededtotellthesehillcountryfolkthattheywereinforathunderstorm；——andforwhatonekennel-mandescribedas"areg\'larol\'he-one，"atthat。

Now，underrightconditions，anopen-airdogshowisathingofbeautyandofjoy。AtsuchplacesasTuxedoandoneortwoothersitisasighttoberemembered。Butinrainyweather，——especiallyinatumultuousthunderstorm，ithasnotoneredeemingfeature。

TheBeauvilleShowCommittee，——likeallexpertsinsuchmatters，hadtakenthischanceintoaccount。Downtheaislesofbenchesandthroughthequestioningandscaredgroupsofexhibitorsranattendantsandofficials；shoutingthattheCountryClubpolostablesandthewidespacesundertheclubhouseverandashadbeenfittedupforemergencyquarters，wherethedogsmightbehoused，dryandsafe，untilthepassingofthestorm。

UptotheMasterhurriedaclubpage-boy。

"Thisway，sir！"hepanted。"Isavedaspecialboxstall，inthefirststable，foryourcollie。"

"YOUsavedit？"queriedthepuzzledMaster，whiletheMistressbegantounfastenLad\'sleash。"Howdidyouhappentodothat？"

"Iwastoldto，sir，"answeredtheboy。"A——agentlemantoldmeto，justnow。Oneoftheof\'cersoftheclub。Idon\'tknowhisname。Heshowedmethestall；andhetoldmetotakeyourdogthere。"

"That\'smighty，decent；whoeverdidit，"saidtheMaster，whistlingthefreeddogtohimandsettingforthintheboy\'swake，towardthewelcomingstables。"Iwishyouknewhisname。

I\'dliketothankhim。"

Thestablewasdim-lit，atbest。Now，thegatheringstormmadeitasdarkastwilight。TheboxstalltowhichLadwasledwasalmostpitchblack；itsshutteredwindowbeingclosed。Still，itwasshelter。LeavingtheMasterandtheMistresstoconsignLadtohisnewquarters，theboyscuttledoftoaharness-room。

There，aneagerly-questioningmanwasawaitinghim。

"Yep，"brokeintheboy，throughavolleyofinquiries。"Idoneit，allright，allright，Mr。Higham。They\'remoorin\'himinStallFive，rightnow。Howaboutthosetwosoftdollars？Hey？"

"Youearned\'em，O。K。，"grinnedHigham。"Hereyouare。

Two，——count\'em，two。Andnow，chasealong，sonny。I\'mbusy。"

Heturnedtoalargebowlinwhichhehadbeenmixingthecontentsofthreeorfourbottles。Andtheboysawhisfingerswerefieryred。

"What\'sthematter？"demandedtheyoungster，inhighexcitement。

"That\'sblood，ain\'tit？"

"No，"deniedHigham。"Blood\'slightred。Thisiscrimson。

RememberthetimeweruninthatjokeonDaddyPrice，bydippinghisprizewhiteleghornsincrimsondye，justbeforetheMadisonSquareGardenPoultryShow？Well，thisisthesamestuff。"

"DoIrememberit？"snickeredtheboy。"Hewasragin\'，forfair。

Couldn\'tgetitoff，tosavehim。Itstayed，thatcolor，on\'em，tillthey\'dshedthelastoneoflastyear\'scropoffeathers。

Sure，Iremember。Whywouldn\'tI？Didn\'tIgitadollarforholdin\'\'emforyou？Andanotherdollarforkeepin\'mymouthshut？Butwhatareyoulottin\'todowiththestuff，thistime？

Nochickenshere；or——"

"Nope，"assentedHigham。"Nochickenshere。Holdon，asecond！"

Hestood，musing。Thenhespoke。

"Iwasgoingtoplayalonehand，onthis，"hesaid，presently。

"Ididn\'tevendareletRiceinonit。He\'dbedead-suretotellthatgabbygirlhe\'sgoingtomarry。Andit\'dgetalloverthecountryinaweek。Andthat\'dlosememyjob，ifthebossheardofit。Iwasgoingtoplayitalone。That\'swhyIleftRiceandWilletttoputupthedogsforme。But，——I\'mblestifIknowhowI\'mtoholdhimanddyehimatthesametime。He\'sasstrongasanox。You——you\'reagood，close-tonguedkid，Harry。YoukeptyourmouthshutaboutPrice\'schickens。Couldyoukeepitshut，——foranotherdollar，——aboutthis？Ifyou\'lldothat，andlendmeahand——Howaboutit？"

"What\'sthemainidea？"askedtheboy，muchintriguedbythebeautyofthedyeonHigham\'sfingers；andsquirmingwithembarrassedself-importanceattheman\'sflatteringtone。"I\'llhelpout，allright。Only，——"

"Here\'sthenotion，"saidHigham，comingoutofmomentaryself-communion。"Andifyoueverspillit，yourmailwillbesenttoyouatthehosp\'t\'l，foraspell。YousawthatbigdarksablecollieIhadyousteerintoStallFive？ItcostmeanothertwodollarstogetAbramstoletmehavetheuseofthatstall。Theideacometome，inajolt，firstcrackofthunderIheard。Well，I\'mdueto\'get\'thatdogandthemuckerwhoownshim，too。ThemandIhadarun-in，once；andIbeenhoningforachancetosquarethings，eversince。I\'veseen\'ematshowsandI\'veaskedfolksabout\'em，too。Hesetsmorestorebythatdogthanhe\'dsetbymosthumans。He\'spleasedasPunch，everytimethecolliehaulsdownacupatoneoftheseneighborhoodshows。Well，thatdogain\'tgoingtobefittogotoanothershow，forayear。Heain\'tgoingtobefittolookat，forthatlong。He\'sgoingtobealaughingstock。Hisownerswon\'tbraganymoreabouthim，neither。They\'llbegladenoughtokeephimoutofsight。"

Theboy，listeningwithever-wideningeyes，chancedtoshifthisgazetothebigbowlofnew-mixeddye。Andalightbrokeonhim。

"You——you\'reaimin\'tosoakhimwiththatstuff？"hewhispered，inaweatsuchcombinedcourageandgenius。

"Uh-uh，"assentedHigham。"Idon\'tknowwhatcolorthecrimsonstuffwillturnthedarkpartofhiscoat。Butwhatevercoloritis，it\'llbeasfunnyasaboxofthree-tailedsnakes。I\'veputaglassofammoniaintothedye，tomakeit\'set\'quicker。It——"

"Gee，butyou\'reawonder！"sighedtheworshipingboy。"D\'yes\'poseI\'llevergittobeassmartasyouare？"

"Italldependsonhowyoumakeuseofyourbrains，"returnedHigbam，complacently。"ButIwassomesmarterthanyoutobeginwith。I——"

"But——"

Highamwenton，morebriskly:

"I\'vegotthisbagtoputoverhisheadwhenIopenthestalldoor。That\'llputhimoutofthebitingbusiness，tillit\'speeledawayfromhisjaws，afterhe\'sgotarealgoodrubbing。

Buthe\'lllikelywriggle，alot。AndI\'llneedyoutositonhishead。Likewisetocarrythisbowlandthesponge，whileI\'mopeningthedoorandgettingthebagoverhishead。Areyougame？"

"Isuream！"breathedtheenrapturedboy。

"Come\'long，then。Thestuff\'sready；andwedon\'twanttowasteanytime。Goaheadandseeifthere\'sanyoneinthatendofthestable。"Twominuteslater，thepairgropedtheirwaythroughthedensegloom，toStallFive。Theywalkedwithexaggeratedcare；

thoughtheroarofthestormwouldhavedeadenedthesoundofacavalrycharge。Handingoverthebowlandspongetohisassistant，Highamproducedfromunderhiscoatathickburlapbagwithadrawstringatitsneck。Then，heopenedthedooroftheboxstall，afewinchesandstaredin。

Bystraininghiseyes，hecouldjustseethevagueoutlineofthebigcollie。Thedogarosefromabundleofstraw，stretchedhimselfforeandaft，andwalkedgravelyforwardtowelcomethevisitorswhoweresokindlyeasinghisloneliness。Hewasbarelyvisible，inthedimness。

ButtherewaslightenoughforHigham\'spurpose。Withpracticedhand，heshovedthebagoverthebeautifulsilkenhead，asthecolliesteppedmajesticallytowardhim。Then，deftly，hethrewtheindignantandstrugglingdogtothefloor，andbadetheboycomein；andshutthegatebehindhim。

Withthepassingofanotherhour，therainceased；andagloryofafternoonsunlightbathedthefreshenedworld。Ataboutthesametime，thebelatedcolliejudgearrivedattheclubhouse。Wordwassentforththatalldogsweretohereturnedtotheirbenchesandthatthejudgingofthecolliesandofcertainotherbreedswouldbeginatonce。

Therewasageneralhustleandconfusion，asexhibitorsledforththeirdogsfromshelter；benchingthemandplyingbrushandchalkandtowelinfrantichaste。

HighamsummonedRiceandanotherofthekennelmenandbadethembringforththeLochaberdogs。Insteadofhelpingthemwithhistask，Highamhimselfrantothetopoftheclubhousesteps，fromwhichhecouldsurveynotonlythebenchesbutalsothestablesandthelawnbetween。There，quiveringwithhard-heldexcitement，hestood；withtheairofonewhohaschosenagrandstandseatforsomethrillingevent。Heworeapairofthickgloves。Ashehaddiscardedthelinendusterwhichhehadwornduringthedyeingprocess，therewasnobetrayingsplashofcoloronhisseverelycorrectgarb。

Peopleweretroopingoutfromtheshelteroftheclubhouse。Withhalfaneye，Highamobservedthese；chucklingatthoughtoftheeverincreasingnumberofspectatorstohisrarecomedy。Ofasudden，thechucklechangedtoagasp。

Outthroughthedoorway，andontotheveranda，strolledColonelOsbourne，owneroftheLochaberCollieKennels。WithhimwalkedtheMistressandtheMaster。

AttheMistress\'ssidepacedLad。

"Itwassocarelessofustoleavethesuitcaseathome！"theMistresswassaying。"Idon\'tknowhowwecouldhavegroomedhim，Colonel，ifyouhadn\'tcometoourrescuebyturningthatkitbag\'sheaven-sentcontentsovertous。Besides，itgaveustheexcusetobringLaddieupintothehouse；insteadofleavinghimallaloneinthatblackstall。Hehatesthunderstorms，and——"

Ayell，fromsomewhere，interruptedher。Theyellwascaughtup。

Itmergedintoamultipleroarofinextinguishablelaughter。TheMistresssawahundredfacesallturnedinonedirection，Thefaceswereconvulsedwithmirth。Ahundredderisivelywonderingfingerswerepointing。Sherantotheverandarailandlookeddown。

Acrossthepatchofgreensward，fromthestables，amanandadogwereadvancing。Themanwasshakinghisfistattheworldatlargeandfairlydancingwithrage。

Butitwasthedog，andnothe，thatcausedtheHomericgustsofmerrimentandthegobblingchorusofamazedquestions。Thedogwasacollie；nobleofaspect，massiveofcoat。

Butthatsamecoatviedwiththesettingsuningarishbrilliancyofhue。Neversincethebirthoftime，hadsuchabeastbeenseenbymortals。Fromthetipofhisaristocraticnosetotheplumeofhissweepingtail，thecolliewasoneblazinglyvividmassofcrimson！Hefairlyirradiatedflaringredlights。Hiscoatwaswetandithungstickilytohisleansides，asifhehadjustcomefromaswim。Anditwastintedlikeachromoofaprairiefire。

Followingmoreslowlytotheveranda\'sedge，ColonelOsbournehadbegunareplytotheMistress\'shalf-finishedspeechofgratitudeforhishospitality。

"Iwasonlytoogladtobeofservice，"saidhe。"That\'sagranddogyouhave。Itwasarealpleasuretohelpinhisgrooming。

Besides，Iprofitedbyit。Yousee，myLochaberKingwasquarteredinamuddycornerundertheveranda。SoItookthelibertyoftellingmyman，Rice，toputhiminthatcomfortablebigstallofLad\'s。Iamthechiefgainerbythe——"

Hiscourtlyspeechbecameagurgleofhorror。For，hiseyesfellontheraginglyadvancingRice。And，bydeduction，herecognizedthecrimsonmonstrosityatRice\'sheelsashisbelovedLochaberKing。

BeforetheapoplecticColonelcouldspeak，Ladcreatedadiversiononhisownaccount。Hehadbeensniffingtheair，reminiscently，forafewseconds。Now，hiseyesverifiedwhathisnostrilshadtoldhim。Apallidlyglaringandshakingman，leaningagainsttheverandarailforsupport，hadanoddlyfamiliarscentandappearancetoLaddie。

Thecolliesteppedforwardtoinvestigate。Thenerve-smashedHighamsawhimcoming；andthrustoutoneglovedhandinfrightenedrebuff。

Theflickinggesturewasunpleasantlylikeablow。Asthemenacinghandslappedtowardhisjaws，Ladcaughtatit，inwaryself-defense。

Herecalledthisman，now。Herememberedhehadbeenbiddento"watch"him。Hedidnotspringathisassailant。Butawarningsnapansweredthefrenziedthrustofthehand。Histeethclosedlightlyontheglove-fingers，justasHigham，infear，jerkedbackhisarm。

Thelooseglovecameawayinthedog\'smouth。

ColonelOsbourne，wheelingabouttodemandsomeexplanationofhiskennel-manager，beheldabarehandasvividlycrimsonasLochaberKing\'sruinedcoat。

"Laddie，"observedtheMistress，thatevening，assheplacedonthetoptrophy-shelfanembossedsilvercup，antique，andnineincheshigh，andstoodbackpridefully，tonotetheeffect。

"Laddie，Iknow——IjustKNOW，——you\'dhavewonit，evenifpoorLochaberKinghadcompeted。But，——oh，IwishIcouldmakeheadortailofanyofthethingsthathavehappened，today！Howdoyousupposeitallstarted，anyhow，dear？"sheasked，turningtoherhusbandforhelpintheriddle。

"I\'dbewillingtobetayear\'spayit\'allstarted\'aboutsixfeetfromshoreinthislake，"respondedtheMaster，"andaboutafortnightago。"

Buthespokeitinthedepthsofhisownguiltilyexultantheart。

Outwardly，hemerelygrinned；andsaidwithvacuousconviction:

"Laddie，you\'reagranddog。And，——ifyoudidn\'twinthatcupfromLochaberKinginoneway，youcertainlywonitinanother！"

CHAPTERIV。Hero-StuffLifewasmonstrouspleasant，forLad，atthePlace。Andnever，exceptinearlypuppyhood，washelonely。NeveruntiltheMasterwassofoolishastodecideinhisownshallowhumanmindthatthebigcolliewouldbehappierwithanothercollieforcomradeandmate。

Afterthat，lonelinessmorethanoncecreptintoLaddie\'sserenelife；andintothedarksorrowfuleyesbehindwhichlurkedasoul。For，untilonehasknownandreliedonthecompanionshipofone\'skind，therecanbenoloneliness。

TheMastermadeanotherblunder——thisoneonhisownaccountandontheMistress\'s，——whenheboughtasecondcollie，toshareLad\'srealmofforestandlawnandlake。For，itisalwaysamistaketoowntwodogsatatime。Asingledogisone\'schumandguardandworshiper。Ifheberightlytreatedandtalkedtoandtaught，hebecomesall-buthuman。Becauseheisforcedtorelysolelyonhumans，foreverything。Andhismindandheartrespondtothis。Thereisnodividedallegiance。

Onedoginahomeisworthtentimesasmuchtohisowners，ineveryway，asaretwoormoredogs。EspeciallyiftheonedogbesuchacollieasSunnybankLad。ThistheMasterwasduetodiscover。

Onasloppyanddrippyandmuggyafternoon，lateinOctober，——oneofthosedaysnobodywants，——theMastercamehomefromtown；hisfallovercoatshowingadecidedlisttostarboardintheshapeofanegregiouslybulgedside-pocket。

TheMistressandLad，asever，cameforthtogreetthereturningman。Lad，withthegaylytrumpetingbarkwhichalwayshereservedfortheMistressortheMasterafteranabsenceofanylength，cavortedrapturouslyuptohisdeity。But，midwayinhiswelcomingadvance，hecheckedhimself；sniffingthesoddenOctoberair，andseekingtolocateanewandhighlyinterestingscentwhichhadjustassailedhissensitivenostrils。

TheMasterputanendtothemystery，forthwith，byreachingdeepintohisovercoat\'sswollenpocketandfishingoutagrayishgoldenballofsquirmingfluff。

Thishandfuloflivelinesshesetgingerlyontheverandafloor；

whereitrevealeditselfasaneight-weeksoldcolliepup。

"Hernameis\'Lady，\'"expoundedtheMaster，asheandtheMistressgazedinterestedlydownuponthesprawlingandwigglingpuppy。"HerpedigreereadslikeapageinBurke\'sPeerage。She——"

Hepaused。ForLadhadmovedforwardtowheretheinfantcolliewastryingvaliantlytowalkontheslipperyboards。Thebigdogregardedthepuppy；hisheadononeside，histulipearscocked；

hisdeep-seteyesfriendilycurious。ThiswasLad\'sfirstexperiencewithoneoftheyoungofhisspecies。Andhewasabitpuzzled；albeitvastlyinterested。

Experimentally，helaidoneofhistinywhiteforepawslightlyonthemite\'sfuzzyshoulder。Instantly，thepuppygrowledafalsettowarningtohimtokeephisdistance。Lad\'splumedtailbegantowagatthissignofspiritinthepigmy。And，withhiscurvedpinkribbonoftongue，heessayedtolicktheshiveringLady。Asecondgrowlrewardedthisattention。AndLadysoughttoavoidfurthercontactwiththeshaggygiant，byscramblingattopspeedtotheedgeoftheveranda。

Shemiscalculatedthedistanceorelsehernearsightedbabyeyesfailedtotakeaccountofthefour-footdroptothegraveldrivebelow。Toolate，shetriedtocheckherawkwardrush。And，foramoment，herfatlittlebodyswayedperilouslyonthebrink。

TheMistressandtheMasterweretoofarawaytocatchherintimetopreventafallwhichmightwellhaveentailedabrokenriborawrenchedshoulder。ButLadwasnearer。Also，hemovedfaster。

Withthespeedoflightning，hemadeadiveforthetumblingLady。Astenderlyasifhewerepickingupaballofneedles，hecaughtherbythescruffoftheneck，liftingherintheairanddepositingherattheMistress\'sfeet。

Thepuppyrepaidthislife-savingexploitbygrowlingstillmorewrathfullyandbysnappinginhelplessmenaceatthebigdog\'snose。ButLadwasinnowiseoffended。DeaftothepraiseoftheMistress，——apraisewhichordinarilythrewhimintotransportsofembarrasseddelight，——hestoodovertherescuedpup；everyinchofhismagnificentbodyvibrantwithhomageandprotectiveness。

Fromthathour，LadwastheadoringslaveofLady。

Hewatchedoverher，inherincreasinglyactiveramblesaboutthePlace。Always，ontheadventofdoubtfulstrangers，heinterposedhisownfurrybulkbetweenherandpossiblekidnaping。Hestoodbesideherasshelappedherbread-and-milkorasshechewedlaboriouslyatherfragmentofdog-biscuit。

Atsuchtimes，heprovedhimselfthemortalfoeofPeterGrimm，theMistress\'stemperamentalgraykitten，withwhomhewasordinarilyonverycomfortableterms。PeterGrimmwastheonecreatureonthePlacewhomLadyfeared。Onthedayafterherarrival，sheessayedtoworrythehaughtycatkin。And，asecondlater，thepuppywasnursingabraceofdeepredscratchesatthetipofherinquiringblacknostrils。

Thereafter，shegavePeterGrimmawideberth。AndthecatwaswonttotakeadvantageofthisdreadbymakingforaysonLady\'ssupperdish。But，ever，Ladwouldswoopdownuponthemarauder，asLadycoweredwhimperinglybackonherhaunches；andwouldharrytheindignantcatupthenearesttree；herdingherthereuntilLadyhadlickedthedishclean。

Ladwentfurther，inhisfealtytothepuppy。Sacrificinghisownregaldignity，hewouldrompwithher，attimeswhenitwouldhavebeenfarmorecomfortabletodrowse。Hebore，withoutmurmur，hergrowlingassaultsonhisfood；amusedlystandingasidewhilesheannexedhissupper\'schoicestbits。

Heendured，too，heroccasionalflurriesofhottemper；andmadenoprotestwhenLadychosetowreaksomegrievanceagainstlifebyflyingathimwithbristlingruffandjawsasnarl。Herkeenlittlemilkteethhurtlikethemischief，whentheydugintohisearsorhispaws，inoneoftheserage-gusts。Buthedidnotresentthepainortheindignitybysomuchasdrawingbackoutofharm\'sway。And，afterward，whenquickrepentancereplacedangerandshestrovetomakefriendswithhimagain，Ladwasinordinatelyhappy。

ToboththeMistressandtheMaster，fromtheveryoutset，itwasplainthatLadywasnotinanywaysuchadogastheirbelovedLad。ShewasastemperamentalasPeterGrimmhimself。Shehadhair-triggernerves，aswirlinglyuncertaintemperthatwasscarceatonedforbyhercharmandlovableness；andshelackedLad\'sstanchnessandelusivesemi-humanquality。Thetwowereasdifferentinnatureasitispossibleforacoupleofwell-brought-upthoroughbredcolliestobe。Andthehumans\'

heartsdidnotgoouttoLadyastoLad。Still，shewasanidealpet，inmanyways。And，Lad\'sutterdevotiontoherwasafullsetofcredentials，byitself。

Autumnfrozeintowinter。Thetreesturnedintonakedblackghosts；or，rather，intomany-stringedharpswhereonthenorthwestgalesalternatelyshriekedandroared。Thefire-bluelakewasasheetofleadenice，twentyinchesthick。Thefieldsshowedsereandgraylylifelessinthepatchesbetweensoddensnow-swathes。Naturehadflownsouth，withthebirds；leavingthenorthernworldalifelessandemptyhusk，asdesertedaslastsummer\'srobin-nests。

Lady，inthesedrearmonthsofadeadworld。changedasrapidlyashadthesmilingPlace，Fromashapelessgray-goldfuzzybaby，shegrewlankandleggy。Theindeterminatefuzzwasburiedunderashimmeringgold-and-whitecoatofmuchbeauty。Themuskratfacelengthenedandgrewdelicatelygraceful，withitslongmuzzleandexquisiteprofile。

Ladywasemergingfromclownishpuppyhoodintothecharmofyouth。BythetimethefirstanemonescarriedGod\'smessageofspringthroughtheforests\'lingeringsnow-pall，shehadlostheradolescentgawkinessandwasaslenderlybeautifulyoungcollie；

smallandlightofbone，assheremainedtothedayofherdeath，butwithaslimnesswhichcarriedwithitahintoflithepowerandspeedandendurance。

ItwasintheearlyspringthattheMasterpromotedLadyfromherwintersleeping-quartersinthetool-house；andbegantoletherspendmoreandmoretimeindoors。

Ladyhadallthepromiseofbecomingaperfecthousedog。

Fastidious，quicktolearn，sheadaptedherselfalmostatoncetoindoorlife。AndLadwasoverjoyedatheradmissiontothedomainwhereuntilnowhehadruledalone。Personally，andwiththegravityofanold-worldhost，heconductedherfromroomtoroom。

Heevenofferedherasnoozing-placeinhischerished"cave，"

underthepiano，inthemusicroomthespotofallothersdearesttohim。

Butitwasdimandcheerless，underthepiano；orsoLadyseemedtothink。Andshewouldnotgothereforaninstant。Shepreferredthedisreputablegrizzly-bearruginfrontofthelivingroomhearth。And，temporarilydesertinghislovedcave，Ladusedtolieonthisrugatherside；wellcontentwhensheedgedhimoffitsdownycenterandontothebumpyedges。

Allwinter，Lady\'ssleepingquartershadbeenthetool-houseinthebackgarden，behindthestables。Here，onasweet-smelling(andflea-averting)bedofcedarshavings，shehadbeencomfortableandwhollysatisfied。But，atonce，onherpromotion，sheappearedtolookupontheonce-homeliketool-houseasanewlyrichdaylaborermightregardthetumbledownshackwherehehadspentthedaysofhispoverty。

Sheavoidedthetool-house；andevenmadewidedetourstoavoidpassingclosetoit。Thereisnomorethoroughgoingsnob，incertainways，thanahigh-breddog。And，toLady，thetool-houseevidentlyrepresentedahumiliatingphaseofheroutlivedpast。

Yet，shewasforedoomedtogobacktotheloathedabode。Andherreturnbefellinthisway:

IntheMaster\'sstudywassomethingwhichLadyconsideredthemostenthrallinglywonderfulobjectonearth。ThiswasastuffedAmericaneagle；mounted，rampantandwithoutflungwings，onapapier-machestump。

WhytheeagleshouldhavefascinatedLadymorethandidtheleopard-or-bearrugsorotherchase-trophies，inthevariousdownstairsrooms，onlyLadyherselfcouldhavetold。Butshecouldnotkeephereyesoffofit。Tiptoeingtothestudydoor，sheusedtostandforhalfanhouratatimestaringatthegiantbird。

Once，inamomentofaudacity，shemadeaplayfullittlerushatit。BeforetheMastercouldintervene，Ladhaddashedbetweenherandthesacredtrophy；andhadshoulderedhergentlybutwithmuchfirmnessoutoftheroom；disregardingherlittleswirloftemperattheinterference。

TheMastercalledherbackintothestudy。Takingheruptotheeagle，hepointedatit，andsaid，withslowemphasis"Lady！LetitALONE！Let——it——ALONE！"

Sheunderstood。For，frombabyhood，shehadlearned，bydailypractice，tounderstandandinterpretthehumanvoice。Politely，shebackedawayfromthealluringbird。SnarlingslightlyatLad，asshepassedhiminthedoorway，shestalkedoutoftheroomandwentoutontheverandatosulk。

"I\'mgladIhappenedtobeherewhenshewentfortheeagle，"

saidtheMaster，atlunchthatday。"IfIhadn\'t，shemighthavetackleditsometime，whennobodywasaround。Andagoodlivelycolliepupcouldputthatbitoftaxidermyoutofcommissioninlessthanfiveseconds。Sheknows，now，shemustn\'ttouchit。"

Hespokesmugly；hisloreonthesubjectbeingboundedbyhisexperiencesinteachingLadthesimpleLawofthePlace。Ladwasoneoftheraredogstowhomasinglecommandorprohibitionwasenoughtofixalessoninhisuncannilywisebrainforlife。Ladywasnot。AstheMastersoonhadoccasiontolearn。

Lateoneafternoon，aweekafterward，theMistresshadsetforthonaroundofneighborhoodcalls。Shehadgoneinthecar；andhadtakenLadalong。TheMaster，beingbusyandabhorringcalls，hadstayedathome。Hewasatworkinhisstudy；andLadywasdrowsinginthecoollowerhall。

AfewminutesbeforetheMistresswasduetoreturnfordinner，awhiffofacridsmokewaswaftedtotheman\'snostrils。

Now，toeverydwellerinthecountry，thereisoneall-presentperil；namely，fire。And，thefearofthisisalwayslurkingworriedlyinthebackofaruralhouseholder\'sbrain。Avagrantbreathofsmoke，inthenight，ismorepotenttobanishsleepandtostartsuchamantoinvestigatinghishouseandgroundsthanwouldbeanyandeveryotheralarmknowntomortals。