第4章

Theyeventhreatenedtosendhimtonearerrelativesuntilhisparents\'return。Allinvain。Facedwiththemostundeniableproofs，thechildinvariablywouldlie。Hedeniedthathehadeverill-usedLadinanyway；andwouldweep，inrighteousindignation，atthecharges。Whatwastobedone？

"Ithoughtitwouldbrightenupthehouseso，tohaveachildinitagain！"sighedtheMistressassheandherhusbanddiscussedthematter，uselessly，forthefiftiethtime，afteroneofthesescenes。"Ilookedforwardsomuchtohiscominghere！Buthe\'s——oh，heisn\'tlikeanychildIeverheardofbefore！"

"IfIcoulddevotefivebusyminutesadaytohim，"gruntedtheMaster，"withanaxe-handleorperhapsabale-stick——"

"Youwouldn\'tdoit！"deniedhiswife。"Youwouldn\'tharmhim；

anymorethanLaddoes。That\'sthetrouble。IfCyrilbelongedtous，wecouldpunishhim。Notwitha——abalestick，ofcourse。Butheneedsagoodwholesomespanking，morethananyoneelseIcanthinkof。Thatorsomeotherkindofpunishmentthatwouldmakeanimpressiononhim。Butwhatcanwedo？Heisn\'tours——"

"ThankGod！"interpolatedtheMaster，piously。

"Andwecan\'tpunishotherpeople\'schild，"shefinished。"I

don\'tknowwhatweCANdo。Iwouldn\'tmindhalfsomuchabouttheothersneakythingshedoes；ifitwasn\'tforthewayhetreatsLaddie。I——"

"SupposewesendLadtotheboardingkennels，atRidgewood，tillthebratisgone？"suggestedtheMaster。"Ihatetodoit。Andthegoodoldchapwillbebluewithhomesicknessthere。Butatleasthe\'llgetkindtreatment。Whenhecomesovertomeandlooksupintomyeyesinthatterriblyappealingway，afterCyrilhasdonesomerottenthingtohim，——well，Ifeellikeacur，nottobeabletojustifyhisfaiththatIcanmakethingsallrightforhim。Yes，IthinkI\'llsendhimtotheboardingkennels。And，ifitweren\'tforleavingyoualonetofacethingshere，I\'dbetemptedtohireastallatthekennelsformyself，tillthepestisgone。"

Thenextday，camearayoflightinthebotheredgloom。Andthequestionoftheboardingkennelswasdropped。TheMistressreceivedaletterfromCyril\'smother。TheEuropeantriphadbeencutshort，forbusinessreasons；andthetwotravelersexpectedtolandinNewYorkonthefollowingFriday。

"WhodaressayFridayisanunluckyday？"chortledtheMasteringlee，ashiswifereachedthisstageoftheletter。

"And，"theMistressreadon，"wewillcomeouttothePlace，onthenoontrain；andtakedarlingCyrilawaywithus。Iwishwecouldstaylongerwithyou；butHenrymustbeinChicagoonSaturdaynight。Sowemustcatchalateafternoontrainbacktotown，andtakethenighttrainWest。Now，I——"

"Mostlettersareabore，"interpolatedtheMaster。"Orelsethey\'reabother。Butthisoneisapurerapture。Readitmoreslowly，won\'t，you，dear？Iwanttowallowineveryblessedwordofhopeitcontains。Goahead。I\'msorryIinterrupted。Readon。

You\'llneverhavesuchanotherenthusiasticaudience。"

"Andnow，"theMistresscontinuedherreading，"IamgoingtoaskbothofyounottosayasinglewordtopreciousCyrilaboutourcominghomesosoon。Wewanttosurprisehim。Oh，tothinkwhathislovelyfacewillbelike，whenheseesuswalkingin！"

"AndtothinkwhatMYlovelyfacewillbelike，whenIseehimwalkingout！"exultedtheMaster。"Laddie，comeoverhere。We\'vegotthegorgeousestnewsever！Comeoverandbeglad！"

Lad，atthesummons，cametrottingoutofhiscave，andacrosstheroom。Likeeverygooddogwhohasbeenmuchtalkedto，hewasasadeptasanydead-beatinreadingthevaryingshadesofthehumanvoice。Thevoicesandfacesalikeofhistwoadoreddeitiestoldhimsomethingwonderfulhadhappened。And，asever，herejoicedintheirgladness。Liftinghismagnificenthead，hebrokeintoasalvooftrumpetingbarks；theoddlytriumphantformofrackethereservedforgreatmoments。

"What\'sLaddiedoing？"askedCyril，fromthethreshold。"Hesoundsasifhewasgoingmadorsomething。"

"He\'shappy，"answeredtheMistress。

"Why\'shehappy？"queriedthechild。

"BecausehisMasterandIarehappy，"patientlyreturnedtheMistress。

"WhyareYOUhappy？"insistedCyril。

"BecausetodayisThursday，"putintheMaster。"AndthatmeanstomorrowwillbeFriday。"

"AndonFriday，"addedtheMistress，"there\'sgoingtobeabeautifulsurpriseforyou，Cyril。Wecan\'ttellyouwhatitis，but——"

"Whycan\'tyoutellme？"urgedthechild。"Aw，goaheadandtellme！Ithinkyoumight。"

TheMasterhadgoneovertothenearestwindow；andwasstaringoutintothegray-blackdusk。Mid-wintergrippedthedeadworld；

andthetwilightairwasdeathlychill。Thetallnakedtreetopsstoodgauntandwraithlikeagainstaleadensky。

Tothenorth，thedarknesswasdeepest。Evillittlepuffsofgalestirredthepowderysnowintomyriadsoftinydancingwhitedevils。Ithadbeenafearfulwinter，thusfar；colderthanforascoreofyears；socoldthatmanyawildwoodlandcreature，whichusuallykeptfarbackinthemountains，hadventureddownnearertocivilizationforforageandwarmth。

Deertracksa-plentyhadbeenseen，closeuptothegatesofthePlace。And，twodaysago，intheforest，halfamileaway，theMasterhadcomeuponthehalf-humanfootprintsofayoungbear。

Starvationstalkedabroad，yonderinthewhitehills。Andneedforprovenderhadbeguntowaxstrongeramongthefolkofthewildernessthantheirinborndreadofhumans。

"There\'sabigsnowstormcomingup，"ruminatedtheMaster，ashescannedthegrimweather-signs。"Ablizzard，perhaps。I——Ihopeitwon\'tdelayanyincomingsteamers。Ihopeatleastoneofthemwilldockonschedule。It——"

Heturnedbackfromhismusings，awareforthefirsttimethatarightsprightlydialoguewasgoingon。Cyrilwasdemandingfortheeighthtime:

"WHYwon\'tyoutellme？Aw，Ithinkyoumight！What\'sgoingtohappenthat\'ssonice，Friday？"

"WaittillFridayandsee，"laughedtheMistress。

"Shucks！"hesnorted。"Youmighttellme，now。Idon\'twanttowaitandgets\'prised。Iwanttoknow，NOW。Tellme！"

Underhertolerantsmile，theyoungster\'svoicescaledtoanimpatientwhine。Hewasbeginningtogrowred。

"Letitgoatthat！"ordainedtheMaster。"Don\'tspoilyourownfun，bytryingtofindout，beforehand。Beagoodsportsman。"

"Fun！"snarledCyril。"What\'sthefunofsecrets？Iwanttoknow——"

"It\'ssnowing，"observedtheMistress，asahandfulofflakesbegantodriftpastthewindows，tossedalongonapuffofwind。

"IwanttoKNOW！"half-weptthechild；angryatthechangeofsubject，andnotingthattheMistresswasmovingtowardthenextroom，withLadatherheels。"Comebackandtellme！"

Hestampedafterhertobarherway。LadwasbetweentheirateCyrilandtheMistress。Inbabyishrageatthedog\'splacidpresenceinhispath，hedrewbackoneungainlyfootandkickedtheastonishedcollieintheribs。

Attheoutrage，Ladspunabout，agrowlinhisthroat。Butheforboretobiteoreventoshowhisteeth。Thegrowlhadbeenofindignantprotestatsuchunheard-oftreatment；notamenace。

Thenthedogstalkedhaughtilytohiscave，andlaydownthere。

Butthehumanwitnessestothescenewerelessforbearing；——beingonlyhumans。TheMistresscriedout，insharpprotestatthelittlebrute\'saction。AndtheMasterleanedforward，swingingCyrilclearoftheground。Holdingthechildfirmly，butwithnoroughness，theMastersteadiedhisownvoiceasbesthecould；

andsaid:——

"Thistimeyou\'venotevenbotheredtowaittillourbackswereturned。Sodon\'twastebreathbycryingandsayingyoudidn\'tdoit。You\'renotmychild；soIhavenorighttopunishyou。AndI\'mnotgoingto。ButIwantyoutoknowyou\'vejustkickedsomethingthat\'sworthfiftyofyou。"

"Youletmedown！"Cyrilsnarled。

"Ladistoowhiteandcleanandsquaretohurtanythingthatcan\'thitback，"continuedtheMaster。"Andyouarenot。That\'sthedifferencebetweenyou。Oneoftheseveralmilliondifferences，——alloftheminLad\'sfavor。Whenachildbeginslifebybeingcrueltodumbanimals，it\'saprettybadsignforthewayhe\'sduetotreathisfellow-humansinlateryears，——ifeveranyofthemareathismercy。Foryourownsake，learntobehaveatleastasdecentlyasadog。If——"

"Youletmedown，youbigbully！"squalledCyril，bellowingwithimpotentfury。"Youletmedown！I——"

"Certainly，"assentedtheMaster，loweringhimtothefloor。"I

didn\'thurtyou。Ionlyheldyousoyoucouldn\'trunoutoftheroom，beforeI\'dfinishedspeaking；asyoudid，thetimeIcaughtyouputtingredpepperonLad\'sfood。He——"

"Youwouldn\'tdaretouchme，ifmyfolkswerehere，youbigbully！"screechedthechild，inaveritablemaniaofrage；

jumpingupanddownandactuallyfoamingatthemouth。"ButI\'lltell\'emonyou！SeeifIdon\'t！I\'lltell\'emhowyouslungmearoundandsaidIwasworsenadirtydoglikeLad。AndDaddy\'lllickyouforit。Seeifhedon\'t！He——"

TheMastercouldnotchokebackalaugh；thoughthepoorMistresslookedhorriblydistressedatthemaniacoutburst，andstrovesoothinglytocheckit。She，liketheMaster，rememberednowthatCyril\'sdotingmotherhadspokenofthechild\'soccasionalfitsofredwrath。Butthiswasthefirstglimpseeitherofthemhadhadofthese。Hitherto，crafthadservedCyril\'sturnbetterthanfury。

AtsoundoftheMaster\'sunintentionallaughtheunfortunatechildwentquitebesidehimselfinhistransportofrage。

"Iwon\'tstayinyournastyoldhouse！"heshrieked。"I\'mgoingtotheveryfirsthouseIcanfind。AndI\'mgoingtotell\'emhowyouhammeredalittlefellerthathasn\'tanyfolksheretostickupforhim。AndI\'llget\'emtotakemeinandsendatel\'gramtoDaddyandMothertocomesaveme。I——"

Totheastonishmentofbothhishearers，Cyrilbrokeoffchokinglyinhisyelledtirade；caughtupabibelotfromthetable，hurleditwithallhispunyforceatLad，theinnocentcauseofthefracas；andthenrushedfromtheroomandfromthehouse。

TheMistressstaredafterhim，dumfounded；hishowlsandthejarringslamofthehousedoorechoingdirefullyinherears。ItwastheMasterwhoendedtheinstant\'shushofamaze。

"WheneverI\'veheardagrownmansayhewishedhewasaboyagain，"hemused，"Ialwayssethimdownforaliar。But，foronceinmylife，IhonestlywishIwasaboy，oncemore。AboyonedayyoungerandoneinchshorterandonepoundlighterthanCyril。I\'dfollowhimoutofdoors，yonder，andgivehimthethrashingofhissweetyounglife。I\'d——"

"Oh，docallhimback！"beggedtheMistress。"He\'llcatchhisdeathofcold，and——"

"Whywillhe？"challengedtheMaster，withoutstirring。"Forallhisnoblerage，Inoticedhetookthoughttograbuphiscapandhisovercoatfromthehall，ashewaftedhimselfaway。Andhestillhadhisarcticson，fromthisafternoon。Hewon\'t——"

"Butsupposeheshouldreallygoovertooneoftheneighbors，"

urgedtheMistress，"andtellsuchanawfulstoryashethreatenedto？Orsuppose——"

"Notachance！"theMasterreassuredher。"Nowthatthesummerpeopleareaway，thereisn\'tanoccupiedhousewithinhalfamileofhere。Andhe\'snotgoingtotrudgeahalf-milethroughthesnow，inthisbittercold，forthejoyoftellinglies。No，he\'sdownatthestablesorelsehe\'ssneakedinthroughthekitchen；

thewayhedidthatothertimewhenhemadeagrandstandexitafterI\'dventuredtolecturehimonhisgeneralrottenness。

Rememberhowworriedabouthimyouwere，thattime；tillwefoundhimsittinginthekitchenandpesteringthemaids？He——"

"Butthattime，hewasonlysulky，"saidtheMistress。"Notinsanelyangry，asheisnow。Idohope——"

"Stopworrying！"adjuredtheMaster。"He\'sallright。"

Whichproved，forperhapsthetrillionthtimeinhistory，thatawoman\'sintuitionsarebetterworthfollowingthanaman\'ssanerlogic。ForCyrilwasnotallright。And，ateverypassingminutehewaslessandlessallright；untilpresentlyhewasallwrong。

Forthebestpartofanhour，inpursuanceofherhusband\'scounsel，theMistresssatandwaitedfortheprodigal\'sreturn。

Then，surreptitiously，shemadearoundofthehouse；sentamantoransackthestables，telephonedtothegatelodge，andfinallycameintotheMaster\'sstudy，big-eyedandpale。

"Heisn\'tanywherearound，"shereported，frightened。"It\'sdinnertime。He\'sbeengoneinhour。Nobody\'sseenhim。Heisn\'tonthePlace。Oh，Iwonderif——"

"H\'m！"grumbledherhusband。"He\'sengineeringanendurancecontest，eh？Well，ifhecanstandit，wecan。"

Butatsightofthedeepeningtroubleinhiswife\'sface，hegotupfromhisdesk。Goingoutintothehall，hesummonedLad。

"Wemightshoutourheadsoff，"hesaid，"andhe\'dneveranswer；

ifhe\'sreallytryingtoscareus。That\'spartofhislovablenature。There\'sjustonewaytotrackhim，indoubletime。LAD！"

TheMasterhadbeendrawingonhismackinawandhipbootsashespoke。Nowheopenedthefrontdoor。

"Laddie！"hesaid，veryslowlyandincisivelytotheexpectantlyeagercollie。"Cyril！FindCYRIL！FINDhim！"

Tothesuper-wisecollie，therewasnothingconfusinginthecommand。Likemanyanothergooddog，heknewthehumansofthehouseholdbytheirnames；aswellasdidanyfellow-human。Andheknewfromlongexperiencethemeaningoftheword，"Find！"

Countlesstimesthatwordhadbeenusedingamesandinearnest。

Itssignificance，now，wasperfectlyplaintohim。TheMasterwantedhimtohuntfortheobnoxiouschildwhosolovedtoannoyandhurthim。

Ladwouldratherhavefoundanyoneelse，attheMaster\'sbehest。

Butitdidnotoccurtothetrainedcollietodisobey。Withavisiblediminishingofhisfirsteagerexcitement，butwithsubmissivehaste，thebigdogsteppedoutontotheverandaandbegantocastaboutinthedriftsattheporchedge。

Immediately，hestruckCyril\'sshufflingtrail。And，immediately，hetrottedoffalongthecourse。

Thetaskwaslesssimplethanordinarily。For，thesnowwascomingdowninhard-drivensheets；blottingoutscentalmostaseffectivelyassight。ButnotfornaughthadathousandgenerationsofLad\'sthoroughbredancestorstracedlostsheepthroughsnowstormsontheScottishmoors。Totheirgranddescendanttheyhadtransmittedtheirweirdtrailingpower，tothefull。AndthescentofCyril，thoughfaintandfainter，andsmotheredunderswirlingsnow，wasnottoodimforLad\'ssensitivenostrilstocatchandholdit。

TheMasterlumberedalong，throughtherisingdrifts，asfastashecould。Butthewaywasroughandthenightwasasblackdarkasitwascold。Inafewrods，thedoghadfaroutdistancedhim。

And，knowinghowhardmustbethetrailtofollowbysenseofsmell，heforboretocallbackthequestingcollie，lestLadlosetheclewaltogether。Heknewthedogwascertaintobarkthetidingswhenheshouldcomeupwiththefugitive。

TheMasterbythistimebegantosharehiswife\'sworry。ForthetrailLadwasfollowingledoutofthegroundsandacrossthehighway，towardtheforest。

Thenewbornsnowstormwasdevelopingintoaverypromisinglittleblizzard。Andtheicylashofthewindprovedthefallacyoftheoldtheory，"toocoldtosnow。"Evenbydaylightitwouldhavebeennolighttasktosteeratruecoursethroughthewhirlingandblindingstorm。Inthedarkness，themanfoundhimselfstumblingalongwithdrunkenlyzigzagsteps；hisbuffetedearsstrained，throughthenoiseofthewindforsoundofLad\'sbark。

Butnosuchsoundcametohim。And，herealizedthatsnowandadversewindscansometimesmuffleeventhepenetratingbarkofacollie。Themangrewfrightened。Halting，heshoutedwithallthepowerofhislungs。NowhimperfromCyrilansweredthehail。Nor，athismaster\'ssummons，didLadcomeboundingbackthroughthedrifts。Againandagain，theMastercalled。

Forthefirsttimeinhisobedientlife，Laddidnotrespondtothecall。AndtheMasterknewhisownvoicecouldnotcarry，forasinglefurlong，againstwindandsnowfall。

"I\'llgoonforanotherhalf-hour，"hetoldhimself，ashesoughttodiscernthedog\'sall-butobliteratedfootstepsthroughthedeepeningsnow。"AndthenI\'llgobackandraiseasearchparty。"

Hecametoabewilderedstop。FainterandmoreindistinguishablehadLad\'sflounderingtracksbecome。Now，——bydintofdistanceandsnow，——theyceasedtobevisibleinthewelterofdriftedwhitenessundertheglareoftheMaster\'sflashlight。

"Thismeansasearch-party，"decidedtheman。

Andheturnedhomeward，totelephoneforaposseofneighbors。

Lad，beingonlyadog，hadnosuchwayofsharinghisburden。Hehadbeentoldtofindthechild。Andhissimplecodeoflifeandofactionlefthimnooutletfromdoinghisduty；bethatdutyirksomeoreasy。Sohekepton。FaraheadoftheMaster，hiskeenearshadnotcaughtthesoundoftheshouts。Thegaleandthesnowmuffledthemanddrovethembackintotheshouter\'sthroat。

Cyril，naturally，hadnothadtheremotestintentoflaboringthroughthebittercoldandthesnowtothehouseofanyneighbor；theretotellhiswoefultaleofoppression。Thesemblanceofmartyrdom，withoutitsbothersomeactuality，wasquiteenoughforhispurpose。Oncebefore，athome，whenhisfatherhadadministeredamildandmuch-neededspanking，Cyrilhadmadealikethreat；andhadthengonetohideinachum\'shome，forhalfaday；returningtofindhisparentsinagoniesofremorseandfear，andreadytoloadhimwithpeace-offerings。Thechildsawnoreasonwhythesametacticsshouldnotserveeverybitastriumphantly，inthepresentcase。

Heknewthemaidswereinthekitchenandatleastonemanwasinthestables。Hedidnotwanthiswhereaboutstobediscoveredbeforeheshouldhavebeenabletoraiseahealthyanddividend-bringingcropofremorseintheheartsoftheMistressandtheMaster，soheresolvedtogofartherafield。

Inthebackofthemeadow，acrosstheroad，andonthehithersideoftheforest，wasadisusedcattle-barrack，withtwostallsunderitsroof-pileofhay。ThebarrackwasoneofCyril\'sfavoriteplayhouses。Itwasdryandtight。Throughhisthickclothinghewasnotlikelytobeverycold，there，foranhourortwo。HecouldsnuggledowninthewarmhayandplayIndians，withconsiderablecomfort；untilsuchtimeasthefrightandpenitenceofhishostsshouldhavecometoaclimaxandmakehisreturnanovation。

Meanwhile，itwouldbefuntopicturetheiruneasinessandfearforhissafety；andtovisualizetheirjourneyingsthroughthesnowtothehousesofvariousneighbors，insearchofthelostchild。

Buoyedupbysuchhappythoughtsasthese，Cyrilstruckoutatalivelypaceforthehighroadandintothefieldbeyond。Thebarrack，heknew，laydiagonallyacrossthewidemeadow，andneartheadjoiningwoods。Fiveminutesoftrampingthroughthesnowoughttobringhimtoit。Andhesetoff，diagonally。

But，beforehehadgoneahundredyards，helosthisfirstzestintheadventure。Thedarknesshadthickened；andthevagrantwind-gustshadtightenedintoasteadygale；agalewhichcarriedbeforeitablindingwrackofstinginglyhard-drivensnow。

Thegrayofthedyingduskwasblottedout。Thewindsmoteandbatteredthespindlingchild。Mechanically，hekeptonforfiveorsixminutes，makingscantandirregularprogress。Then，hisspiritwavered。Splendidasitwouldbetoscarethesehatefulpeople，therewasnothingsplendidintheweatherthatnumbedhimwithcoldandtookawayhisbreathandhalf-blindedhimwithsnow。

Whatwasthefunofmakingotherssuffer；ifhehimselfweresufferingtenfoldmore？And，onreachingthebarrack，hewouldhaveallthatfreezingandblast-hammeringtripbackagain。Aw，whatwastheuse？

AndCyrilcametoahalt。Hehaddefinitelyabandonedhishighenterprise。Turningaround，hebegantoretracehisstumblingsteps。But，atbest，inalargefield，inablizzardandinpitchdarkness，andwithnovisiblelandmarks，itisnoteasytodoublebackonone\'sroute，withanydegreeofaccuracy。InCyril\'scase，thethingwaswhollyimpossible。

Blindly，hehadbeentravelinginanerratichalf-circle。Anotherminuteofwalkingwouldhavebroughthimtothehighroad，notfarfromthePlace\'sgateway。And，ashechangedhiscourse，toseektheroad，hemovedatanobtuseangletohisformerlineofmarch。

Thus，anotherperiodofexhaustingprogressbroughthimupwithabumpagainstasolidbarrier。Hischilledfacecameintoroughcontactwiththetoprailofalinefence。

Sorelievedwasthestartledchildbythisencounterthatheforgottowhineattheabrasionwroughtuponhischeekbytherail。Hehadbeguntofeelthefirstgnawingsofpanic。Now，atonce，hewascalmagain。Forheknewwherehewas。ThiswasthelinefencebetweenthePlace\'suppersectionandthelandofthenextneighbor。

Allheneeddowastowalkalongintheshelterofit，touchingtherailsnowandthentomakecertainofnotstraying，untilheshouldcomeoutontheroad，atthegatelodge。Itwasabsurdlyeasy；comparedtowhathehadbeenundergoing。Besides，theleeofthefenceaffordedacertainshelterfromwindandsnow。Thechildrealizedhehadbeenturnedaboutinthedark；andhadbeengoinginthewrongdirection。Butnow，atlast，hiscourseseemedplaintohim。

Sohesetoffbriskly，closetothefence；——anddirectlyawayfromthenearbyroad。

Foranotherhalf-hourhecontinuedhisinexplicablylongtramp；

alwaysbuoyedupbythehopeofcomingtotheroadinafewmoresteps；anddoggedlysureofhisbearings。Then，turningoutfromthefence，inordertoskirtawidehazelthicket，hetrippedoveranoutcropofrock，andtumbledintoadrift。Gettingtohisfeet，hesoughttoregainthefence；butthefallhadshakenhissensesandheflounderedoffintheoppositedirection。Afterarodortwoofsuchfutileplunging，astumblingsteptookhimcleanofftheedgeoftheworld，andintotheair。

Allthis，forthemerestinstant。Then，helandedwithajounceinaheapofbrushanddeadleaves。Squattingthere，breathless，hestretchedouthismittenedhand，alongtheground。Attheendoflessthananotheryardofthisexploring，hisfingerscameagaintotheedgeoftheworldandwerethrustoutovernothingness。

Withhideoussuddenness，Cyrilunderstoodwherehewas；andwhathadhappenedtohimandwhy。Heknewhehadfollowedthefenceforafullmile，AWAYfromtheroad；throughthenearerwoods，andgraduallyupwarduntilhehadcomethelineofhazelsonthelipoftheninety-footravinewhichdippeddownintoaswamp-stretchknownas"PancakeHollow。"

Thatwaswhathehaddone。Intryingtoskirtthehazels，hehadsteppedoverthecliff-edge，andhaddroppedfivefeetormoretoarathernarrowledgethatjutsoutovertheravine。

Welldidherememberthisledge。Morethanonce，onwalkswiththeMistressandtheMaster，hehadpausedtolookdownonitandtothinkfunitwouldbetoimprisonsomeonethereandtostandabove，guyingthevictim。Ithadbeenasweetthought。Andnow，he，himself，wasimprisonedthere。

Butforluck，hemighthavefallenthewholeninetyfeet；fortheledgedidnotextendfaralongthefaceofthecliff。Atalmostanyotherspothistumblemighthavemeant——

Cyrilshudderedalittle；andpursuedthegrislythemenofurther。Hewassafeenough，tillhelpshouldcome。And，here，theblastofthewinddidnotreachhim。Also，bycuddlinglowinthelitterofleavesandfallenbrush，hecouldwardoffalittleoftheicycold。

Hecrouchedthere；shakingandwornout。Hewasonlyeleven。Hisfragilebodyhadundergoneafearfulhouroftoilandhardship。

Ashewasdrawinginhisbreathforacrytoanychancesearchers，theboywasawareofaswiftpattering，abovehishead。Helookedup。Theskywasshadeortwolessdenselyblackthantheravineedge。AsCyrilgazedinterror，ashaggydarkshapeoutlineditselfagainstthesky-line，justabovehim。

Havingfollowedtheeccentricfootstepsofthewanderer，withgreatandgreaterdifficulty，tothefence-leewherethetracingwasmucheasier，Ladcametothelipoftheravineabarefiveminutesafterthechild\'sdroptotheledge。

There，foraninstant，thegreatdogstood；earscocked，headinquiringlyononeside；lookingdownupontheledge。Cyrilshranktoaquiveringlittleheapofabjectterror，atsightoftheindistinctanimalshapeloomingmountain-highaboveThisforthebriefestmoment。ThenbackwentLad\'sheadinapealingbarkthatseemedtofilltheworldandtoreechofromamyriaddirectionsatonce。Againandagain，Ladgaveclamorousvoicetohisdiscoveryofthelostchild。

Onaclearorwindlessnight，hisracketmusthavepenetratedtothedullestearsatthePlace，andfarbeyond。Forthebarkofadoghasmorecarryingpowerthanhasanyothersoundofdoubleitsvolume。But，inthefaceofasixty-milegaleladenwithtonsofflyingsnow，thereportofacannoncouldscarcehavecarriedoverthestretchofwindsweptgroundbetweentheravineandthePlace。

Ladseemedtounderstandthis。For，afteradozenthunderousbarks，hefellsilent；andstoodagain，headononeside，inthought。

Atfirstsoundofthebarking，Cyrilhadrecognizedthedog。Andhisterrorhadvanished。Initsplacesurgedapeevishirritationagainstthebeastthathadsofrightenedhim。Hegropedforarock-fragmenttohurlupattheracketycollie。

Then，thechildpausedinhisfumbling。Thedoghadscantreasontolovehimortoseekhissociety。Oflate，Ladhadkeptoutofhiswayasmuchaspossible。Thusitwasnotlikelythecolliehadcomehereofhisownaccord，onsuchanight；forthemerejoyofbeingwithhistormentor。

HispresencemustmeanthattheMasterwasclosebehind；andthatthewholePlacewasinafermentofanxietyaboutthewanderer。

BystoningLadawayandcheckingthebarks，Cyrilmightwellpreventthesearchersfromfindinghim。Tooweakandtoonumbwithcoldtoclimbupthefive-footcliff-facetothelevelgroundabove，hedidnotwanttomissanychanceforrescue。

Hence，asLadceasedtobark，thechildsetupayell，withallhisslightlung-power，toattracttheseekers\'notice。HeorderedLadto"Speak！"andshookhisfistangrilyatthedog，whennoansweringbarkfollowed。

Despairingofmakinganyonehearhistrumpetingannouncementthathehadfoundthechild，Ladpresentlymadeuphismindastotheonlycoursethatremained。Wheelingabout，headdown，hefacedthestormagain；andsetoffatwhatspeedhecouldcompass，towardhome，toleadtheMastertothespotwhereCyrilwastrapped。Thisseemedtheonlyexpedientleft。Itwaswhathehaddone，longago，whenLadyhadcaughtherfootinafox-trap，backinthewoods。

Asthedogvanishedfromagainstthegray-blacksky-line，Cyrilsetupahowlofwrathfulcommandtohimtocomeback。Anythingwasbetterthantobeinthisdrearyspotalone。Besides，withLadgone，howcouldLad\'sMasterfindthewaytotheledge？

Twicethechildcalledaftertheretreatingcollie。And，inanotherfewsteps，Ladhadhaltedandbeguntoretracehiswaytowardtheledge。

HedidnotreturnbecauseofCyril\'scall。Hehadlearned，byuglyexperience，todisregardthechild\'sorders。Theywerewonttomeanmuchunpleasantnessforhim。Nevertheless，Ladhalted。

Notinobediencetothesummons；butbecauseofasoundandascentthatsmotehimashestartedtogallopaway。Aneddyofthewindhadbornebothtothedog\'sacutesenses。

Stiffening，hiscurvedeyeteethbaringthemselves，hishacklesbristling，Ladgallopedbacktotheravine-lip；andstoodtheresniffingtheicyairandgrowlingdeepinhisthroat。LookingdowntotheledgehesawCyrilwasnolongeritssoleoccupant。

Crouchedattheopeningofacrevice，nottenfeetfromtheunseeingchild，wassomethingbulkyandsinister；——ameremenacingbluragainstthedarkerrock。

Crawlinghometoitslair，supper-lessandfranticwithhunger，afteradayoffruitlesshuntingthroughthedeadforestworld，agiantwildcathadbeenstirredfromitsfirstfitfulslumberintheledge\'screvicebytheimpactofthechildupontheheapofleaves。Thehumanscenthadstartledthecreatureandithadslunkfartherbackintothecrevice。Themoresowhenthebarkandinimicalodorofabigdogwereaddedtotheshatteringoftheravine\'ssolitude。

Thenthedoghadgoneaway。Curiosity，——thebesettingtraitofthecattribe，——hadmasteredthecrevice\'sdweller。Thewildcathadwrigglednoiselesslyforwardalittleway，tolearnwhatmannerofenemyhadinvadeditslair。And，peeringout，ithadbeheldaspindlingchild；ahumanatom，withoutstrengthorweapon。

Fearchangedtofuryinthebob-cat\'sfelineheart。Herewasnoopponent；butamereitemofprey。And，withfury，stirredlong-unsatisfiedhunger；thefaminehungerofmid-winterwhichmakesthefolkofthewildernessriskcaptureordeathbyraidingguardedhencoops。

Outfromthecrevicestolethewildcat。Itsearswereflattenedclosetoitsevilhead。Itsyelloweyesweremereslitsoffire。

Itsclawsunsheathedthemselvesfromthefurrypads，——long，hookedclaws，capableofdisembowelingagrowndeeratonesabre-strokeofthemuscularhindlegs。Intotherubbleandlitteroftheledgetheclawssank，andreceded，inrhythmicmotion。

Thecompactyellowbodytightenedintoaball。Thebackquivered。

Thefeetbracedthemselves。Thecatwasgaugingitsdistanceandmakingreadyforamurder-spring。Cyril，hisheadturnedtheotherway，wasstillpeeringupalongthecliff-edgeforsightofLad。

ThiswaswhatLad\'sscentandhearing，——andperhapssomethingelse，——hadwarnedhimof，inthatinstantofthewind\'seddyingshift。Andthiswasthescenehelookeddownupon，now，fromtheravine-lip，fivefeetabove。

Thecolliebrain，——thoughneverthecollieheart，——iswonttoflashback，inmomentsofmortalstress，totheancestralwolf。

NeverinhisownlifehadSunnybankLadseteyesonawildcat。

But，intheprimalforests，wolfandbob-cathadperforcemetandclashed，athousandtimes。Theretheyhadbegunandhadwagedtheeternalcat-and-dogfeud，oftheages。

AncestrynowtoldLadthatthereisperhapsnomoremurderouslydangerousfoethananangrywildcat。Ancestryalsotoldhimawolf\'sonechanceofcertainvictoryinsuchacontest。

Ancestry\'saidwasnotrequired，totellhimthemortalperilawaitingthishumanchildwhohadsogrievouslyandcauselesslytormentedhim。Butthegreatloyalheart，inthisstarkmoment，tooknothoughtofpersonalgrudges。Therewasbutonethingtodo，——oneperilous，desperatechancetotake；ifthechildweretobesaved。

Thewildcatsprang。

SuchaleapcouldreadilyhavecarrieditacrossdoublethespacewhichlaybetweenitandCyril。Butnotone-thirdofthatspacewascoveredinthelightningpounce。

Fromtheupperair，——apparentlyfromnowhere，——ahugeshaggybodylauncheditselfstraightdownward。Asunerringlyastheswoopofaneagle，thedown-whizzingbulkflew。Itsmotetheleapingwildcat，inmid-flight。

Asetofmightyjaws，——jawsthatcouldcrackabeef-boneasamancracksafilbert，——clovedeepandunerringlyintothecat\'sback，justbehindtheshoulders。Andthosejawsflungalltheirstrengthintotheraveninggrip。

Asquall，——hideousinitsunearthlyclangor，——splitthenightsilences。Themaddenedcatwhirledabout，spittingandyowling；

andsetitsfoamingteethinthedog\'sfur-armoredshoulder。Butbeforetheterriblecurvedclawscouldbecalledintoaction，Lad\'srendingjawshaddonetheirworkuponthespine。

Tothevergeofthenarrowledgethetwocombatantshadrolledintheirunlovingembrace。Itslastlurchofagonycarpedthestrickenwildcatovertheedgeandouttheninety-footdropintotheravine。Ladwasall-butcarriedalongwithhisadversary。Heclawedwildlywithhistoesforapurchaseonthesmoothcliffwall；overwhichhishindquartershadslipped。Forasecondhehung，swaying，abovetheabyss。

Cyril，scaredintosemi-insanitybysightofthesuddenbriefbattle，hadcaughtupastickfromtherubbishathisfeet。Withthis，notatallknowingwhathedid，hesmotethestrugglingLadwitheveryatomofhisfeebleforce，overthehead。

Luckilyforthegallantdog，thestickwasrotten。Itbroke，intheblow；butnotbeforeitsimpacthadwell-nighdestroyedLad\'sprecariousbalance。

Oneclawinghindfootfoundtoe-roominaflawofrock。A

tremendousheaveofallhisstrainedmuscles；andLadwasscramblingtosafetyontheledge。

Cyril\'slastatomofvigorandresistancehadgoneintothatpanicblowatthedog。Now，thechildhadflunghimselfhelplesslydown，againstthewalloftheledge；andwasweepingindelirioushysterics。Ladmovedovertohim；hesitatedamoment，lookingwistfullyupwardatthesolidgroundabove。Then，heseemedtodecidewhichwayhisdutypointed。Lyingdownbesidethefreezingchild，hepressedhisgreatshaggybodyclosetoCyril\'s；protectinghimfromtheswirlingsnowandfromtheworstofthecold。

Thedog\'sdark，deep-seteyesrovedwatchfullytowardthecrevice，alertforsignofanyothermarauderthatmightissueforth。Hisownshaggyshoulderwashurtinghim，annoyingly，fromthewildcat\'sbite。Buttothishegavenoheed。Closeryet，hepressedhiswarm，furrybodytotheice-coldyoungster；fendingofftheelementsasvalorouslyashehadfendedoffthewildcat。

ThewarmthofthegreatbodybegantopenetrateCyril\'snumbedsenses。Thechildsnuggledtothedog，gratefully。Lad\'spinktonguelickedcaressinglyatthewhiteface；andthecolliewhimperedcrooningsympathytothelittlesufferer。

So，foratimethedogandthechildlaythere；Cyril\'snumbbodywarmingunderthecontact。

Then，ataswiftintakeofthewindyair，Lad\'swhimperchangedtoathunderofwildbarking。Hisnostrilshadtoldhimofthesearchparty\'sapproach，afewhundredyardstothewindward。

Theirdispiritinglyaimlesshuntchangingintoascramblingrushinthedirectionwhencecamethefaint-heardbarks，thesearcherstroopedtowardtheledge。

"Hereweare！"shrilledthechild，astheMaster\'shalloosoundeddirectlyabove。"Hereweare！Downhere！A——aliontackledus，awhileback。Butwelickedhim；——IandLaddie！"

CHAPTERVII。TheJuggernautLongshadowswerestretchinglazilyathwartthelawnfromthegnarledoldgianttrees。Overthewholedrowsingworldbroodedthesolemnhushoflatesummerafternoon。

Anamberlighthunginthesleepyair；touchingwithgoldthefire-bluelake，thecircleoflovinglyprotectinggreenhills；

theemeraldslopewhichbillowedupfromthewater-edgetothered-roofedgrayhouseinitssettingofancientoaks。

Onthebareflooring，inthecoolestcorneroftheveranda，twocollieslaysprawled。Theywerefastasleep；whichmeansthattheywerereadytocomebacktocompletewakefulnessatthefirstuntowardsound。

Ofthetwoslumbrouscollies，onewasslenderlygracefulofoutline；gold-and-whiteofhue。ShewasLady；imperiousandtemperamentalwispofthoroughbredcaninity。

Theseconddoghadbeencrowdedoutoftheshadiestspotoftheveranda，byhismate；sothatapartofhisburnishedmahoganycoatwasunderthedirectglareoftheafternoonsun。Shimmeringorangetintsblazedbackthereflectionofthetorridlight。

HewasSunnybankLad；eighty-poundcollie；tawnyandpowerful；

withabsurdlytinywhiteforepawsandwithaSoullookingoutfromhisdeep-setdarkeyes。Chumandhousematehewastohistwohumangods；——adog，aloneofallworshipers，havingtheprivilegeoflookingonthefaceofhisgodsandofcommuningwiththemwithoutthemediumofpriestorofprayer。

Lady，only，ofthePlace\'sbevyofLittlePeople，refusedfromearliestpuppyhoodtoacknowledgeLad\'sbenevolentrulership。Shebossedandteasedandpesteredhim，unmercifully。AndLadnotonlyletherdoallthis，butheactuallyreveledinit。Shewashismate。More，——shewashisidol。Thisidolizingofonemate，bytheway，isfarlessuncommonamongdogsthanwemerehumansrealize。

Thesummerafternoonhushwassplitbythewhirringchugofamotor-car；thatturnedinfromthehighroad，twohundredyardsbeyondthehouse，andstarteddownthroughtheoakgrove，alongthewindingdriveway。Immediately，Ladywasnotonlyawake，butonherfeet，andinmotion。Afurrygold-whitewhirlwind，sheflashedoffofthevine-shadedverandaandtoreattopspeedupthehilltomeetthecomingcar。

No，itwasnottheMistressandtheMasterwhoseapproachstirredthefierylittlecollietolightningactivity。LadknewthepurrofthePlace\'scarandhecoulddistinguishitfromanyother，asfarashissensitiveearscouldcatchitssound。ButtoLady，allcarswerealike；andallweresignalsforwildexcitement。

Liketoomanyothercollies，shehadamaniaforrushingatanymotorvehicle，andforwhizzingalongbesideit，perilouslyclosetoitsfast-movingwheels，barkingandscreaminghystericallyandboundingupwardatitspolishedsides。

Norhadpunishmentandscoldingcuredherofthetrait。Shewasanaddictatcar-chasing。Shewaswhollyincurable。Therearesuchdogs。Soonorlate，manyofthempayhighforthehabit。

Inearlydays，Ladalsohaddashedaftermotors。ButasinglesharplecturefromtheMasterhadtaughthimthatthiswasoneofthedirestbreachesofthePlace\'ssimpleLaw。And，thenceforth，——thoughhemighttremblewitheagerness，——hestoodstatue-stillwhenanautomobilespuntemptinglypasthim。

More，——hehadcuredpupafterpup，atthePlace，ofcar-chasing。

ButLadyhecouldnotcure；thoughhenevergaveuptheuselessattempt。

Downthedrivecameadeliverytruck；drivenfastandwithnonetoogreatskill。Beforeithadcoveredhalfthedistancebetweengateandhouse，Ladywasalongside。Awheelgrazedhershoulderfuras，deftly，sheslippedfrominfrontofthevehicleandsprangupatitstonneau。Withaceaselessfanfareofbarks，——deliriousinherexcitement，——shecircledthecar；springing，dodging，wheeling。

Thedeliveryboycheckedspeedandshoutedfutilewarningstotheinsanecollie。Ashesloweddownabitonthesteepgrade，Ladyhurledherselfinfrontofthemachine，asthoughtauntingitforcowardiceinabatingitshotpaceonheraccount。

Againandagainhadsherun，headon，atadvancingcars。Itseemedtodelightherwhensuchcarsslackenedspeedorswerved，inordernottokillher。

Now，asshewhizzedbackward，hervibrantmuzzleabaresixinchesfromtheshinybuffer，oneofherflyingfeetslippedinamudrut。Herbalancegone，shetumbled。

Acolliedownisacollieup，inlessthanasecond。Buttherewasstilllessthanasecond\'sspacebetweentooverthrownLadyandthecar\'sfrontwheels。

Theboyslammedontheemergencybrake。Throughhismindrantheformlessthoughtofhisfateatthehandsofhisemployerwhenheshouldreturntothestorewithtidingsthathehadrunoverandkilledagoodcustomer\'scostlycollie；andonthecustomer\'sowngrounds。

Inthatsinglebreathlessinstant，ahugemahogany-and-snowshapeflashedforward，intothepathofthemachine。

Lad，followinghismate，hadtriedtoshoulderherasideandtoherdhertoofarbackfromthedriveforanypossiblereturntothedangerzone，untilthecarshouldhavepassed。Morethanonce，atothertimes，hadhedonethis。But，today，shehadeludedhismightyshoulderandhadflungherselfbacktotheassault。

Asshefell，sherolledover，twice，fromherownmomentum。Thesecondrevolutionleftherdirectlyinfrontoftheskiddingwheels。Oneofthemhadactuallytouchedhersquirmingspine；

whenwhiteteethgrippedherbythescruffoftheneck。Thoseteethcouldcrushamutton-boneasachildcracksapeanut。But，onLady，today，theirpowerwasexertedonlytotheextentofliftingher，inoneswiftwrench，clearofthegroundandhighinair。

Themischievouscollieflewthroughspacelikealithemassofgoldenfluff；andcametoearth，inaheap，attheedgeofthedrive；wellclearofthemenacingwheels。WithLad，itfaredotherwise。

Thegreatdoghadbracedhimself，withallhismight，forthemuscle-wrenchingheave。Wherefore，hehadnochancetospringclear，intimetoavoidthecar。This，nodoubt，hehadrealized，whenhesprangtohisadoredmate\'srescue。ForLad\'sbrainwasuncannyinitscleverness。Thatsamecleverness，morelikelythanmerechance，——nowcametohisownaid。

Theleftfrontwheelstruckhimandstruckhimfair。Ithithismassiveshoulder，dislocatingthejointandknockingtheeighty-pounddogpronetoearth，hisruffwithinaninchofthewheel。Therewasnotimetogatherhisfeetunderhimortocoercethedislocatedshoulderintodoingitssharetowardliftinghiminasidewaysspringthatshouldcarryhimoutofthemachine\'sway。TherewasbutonethingLadcoulddo。Andhedidit。

Hisbodyinacompactbunch，herolledmidwaybetweenthewheels；

makingthesinglerevolutionataspeedtheeyecouldscarcefollow，——aspeedwhichjerkedhimfromundertheimpendingleftwheelwhichalreadyhadsmittenhimdown。

Overhimslidthewheel-lockedcar，throughthemudofarecentrain；whiletheboyclungtotheemergencybrakeandyelled。

Overhimandpasthimskiddedthecar。Itmissedtheprostratedog，——missedhimwithallfourwheels；thoughtherearaxle\'shousingsmearedhissnowyruffwithablurofblackgrease。

Onwentthemachineforanothertenfeet，beforeitcouldhalt。

Thenachalk-faceddeliveryboypeeredbackwardinfright，——toseeLadgettingpainfullytohisfeetandholdingperplexedlyalofthistinyrightforepawintokenofthedislocatedshoulder。

Thedeliveryboysawmore。Inaswirlofblackbadtemper，LadyhadgatheredherselfupfromtheditchwhereLad\'stosshadlandedher。Withoutamoment\'spauseshethrewherselfuponthelucklessdogwhoseroughtosshadsavedherlife。Teethaglint，growlingferociously，shedugherfangsintothehurtshoulderandslungherwholeweightforwardinthebite。

ThuswasitthetemperamentalLady\'swonttopunishrealorfanciedinjuriesfromthePlace\'sotheranimals，——andfromhumansaswell，exceptonlytheMistressandtheMaster。Shechargedfirst，anddidherthinkingafterward。Apparently，herbrain，justthen，couldholdnoimpressionexceptthatherinterferingmatehadpickedherupbytheneck-scruffandhadthrownher，headoverheels，intoaditch。Andsuchtreatmentcalledforinstantpenalty。

Underherfifty-poundimpact，poorLad\'sthree-corneredbalancegaveway。Downhewentinanawkwardheap；whileLadysnarledviciouslyandsnappedforhismomentarilyexposedthroat。Ladturnedhisheadasidetoguardthethroat；buthemadenomovetoresentthisungratefulonslaught；muchlesstofightback。WhichwasoldLad\'sway，——withLady。

Dislocatedshoulderornot，hewouldhaveflownatanymaledogthatassailedhim；andwouldhavemadetheaggressorfightfordearlife。Buthismatewassacred。Andhemerelyprotectedhisthroatandlethernipagonizinglyathisearsandpaws；untilherbriefflurryofwrathshouldbepast。

Ashoutfromtheveranda，——whithertherackethaddrawntheMasterfromhisstudy，——putasuddenstoptoLady\'sbrainstorm。

ObediencewasthefirstandforemostruledrilledintotheLittlePeopleofthePlace。And，frompuppydays，thecolliesweretaughttocome，——andtocomeatarun，——atcallfromtheMistressortheMaster。

Lady，withnogoodgrace，desistedfromherpunitivetask，andgallopeddownthedrivetothehouse。Lad，risingwithdifficulty，followed；asfastasathree-leggedgaitwouldpermit。Andbehindthemchuggedthedeliveryboy，bawlingexplanations。

AsharpwordofreproofsentLadyskulkingintoacorner；angerforgotteninhumiliationatthepublicrebuke。TheMasterpaidnoheedtoher。Runningupthedrive，hemetLad，andpickedupthesufferingcollieinhisarms。Carryinghimintothestudy，theMastergavefirstaidtotheseriousdislocation；thenphonedforthenearestgoodvet。

Asheleftthestudy，totelephone，heencounteredLady，verywoebegoneandcringing，atthedoor。Whenhereturned，hebeheldtheremorsefullittlegold-and-whitevixenlickinghermate\'shurtshoulderandwaggingapropitiatorytailinpleaforforgivenessfromthedogshehadbittenandfromtheMasterwhoseLawshehadbrokenbyherattackonthecar。

Always，afterherbriefrages，Ladywasprettilyandgenuinelyrepentantandeagertomakefriendsagain。And，asever，Ladwasmeetingherapologiesmorethanhalf-way；——absurdlyblissfulatherdaintyattentions。

Inthedaysthatfollowed，Ladyatfirstspentthebulkofhertimenearherlamemate。Shewasunusuallygentleandaffectionatewithhim；andseemedtryingtomakeuptohimfortheenforcedidlenessofstrainedsinewsanddislocatedjoint。Inherfriendlinessandattention，Ladwasvery，veryhappy。

Thevethadbandagedhisshoulderandhadanointeditwithpungentlysmellymedicineswhosereekwasdisgustingandevenpainfultothethoroughbred\'ssupersensitivenostrils。Moreover，thevethadleftordersthatLadbemadetokeepquietuntilthehurtshouldheal；andthatherisknosetbackbyundueexertionofanysort。ItwassweettolieintheMaster\'sstudy，——onewhiteforepaworthegreatshapelyheadlaidlovinglyontheman\'shikingboot；andwithanoccasionalpatorafriendlywordfromhisdeity，asthelatterpoundedawayonaclickytypewriterwhosejarringnoiseLadhadlongagotaughthimselftotolerate。

Sweeteritwastobemademuchofand"poored"bytheMistress；

andtohaveherlighthandsadjusthisbandages；andtohearhertellhimwhatadeardoghewasandpraisehisbraveryinrescuingLady。

Perhapssweetestofall，inthoseearlydaysofconvalescence，wastheamazingsolicitudeofLadyherself；andherqueerlymaternaltendernesstowardhim。

But，asthesummerdaysdreamedthemselvesawayandLad\'ssplendidhealthbroughthimnearerandnearertorecovery，Ladywaxedrestiveunderthelongstrainofindolenceandofgoodtemper。Ladhadbeenhercompanionintheearlymorningramblesthroughtheforest，backofthePlace；inrabbitquests；inswimsintheice，coollakeatthefootofthelawn；inrompsonthesmoothgreengrassandinadozenoftheactivepursuitswhereincountry-bredcollieslovetosquandertheoutdoordays。

LessandlessdidLadycontentherselfwithdullattendanceontheconvalescent。Moreandmoreoftendidshesetforthwithouthimonthosecross-countryrunsthathadmeantsomuchtothemboth。Ladwouldwatchhervanishupthedrive，——theirfierylittleson，Wolf，canteringgleefullyatherside。Then，hisdarkeyesfullofsorrow，hewouldgazeattheMasterand，withasigh，wouldliebackonhisrug——andwait。

Therewassomethingsohuman，——souncomplaininglywretched，——inlookandinsigh，——thattheMasterwastouchedbythebigdog\'slonelinessandvexedattheflightyLady\'sdefection。Stoopingdown，atonesuchtime，heranhishandoverthebeautifulsilkyheadthatrestedagainsthisknee；andsaidinlameattemptatcomfort:——

"Don\'tletitgetunderyourskin，Laddie！Sheisn\'tworthit。

Oneofyourhonestpawsisworthmorethanherwholefly-awaybody——Notthatanyoneeverwaslovedbecauseheorshewasworthy！——You\'reupagainstthepenaltythatisboundtogeteverybodywithasoul，whoisfoolenoughtolovesomethingorsomebodywithoutone……We\'regoingoverforthemail，——theMistressandI。Wanttocomealong？"

AtoncethemelancholyinLad\'sdeepeyesgaveplacetopuppy-likeexultance。

While，naturally，hedidnotunderstandonewordintenoftheMaster\'sfrequentprosyhomiliestohim，oroftheMistress\'smoremelodiousspeech，yet，frompuppyhood，hehadbeentalkedtobybothofthem。And，aseverwithahighbredcollie，suchconstantconversationhadborneamplefruit；——notonlyingivingthedogastartlingcomprehensionofvoice-meanings，butalsointeachinghimtounderstandmanysimplewordsandphrases。

Forexample，herecognized，asreadilyaswouldanyfive-year-oldchild，thisinvitationtogomotoring。AnditbanishedthememoryofLady\'sfickleness。

Thismorning，forthefirsttimesincehisaccident，Ladwasabletospringintothecar-tonneau，unaided。Hishurtwasall-butwell。Enthroninghimselfintheprecisecenteroftherearseat，hepreparedtoenjoyeveryinchoftheride。

Nomatterhowlongorhowtediouswerethesejaunts，Ladneverwenttosleeporceasedtosurveywitheagerattentionthemyriaddetailsofthetrip。Therewassomethinghalf-laughable，half-pathetic，inhisairofstrainedinterest。

OnlywhentheMistressandtheMasterbothchancedtoleavethecaratthesametime，atmarketorbankorpostoffice，wouldLadceasefromthisgenialandabsorbedinspectionofeverythinginsight。Leftaloneinthemachine，healwaysrealizedatoncethathewasonguard。Headonpawshewouldlie，intentlyscanninganyonewhomightchancetopauseneartheauto；and，withaglintofcurvedwhitefangbeneathsharplyupcurledlip，warningawaysuchpersonsasventuredtooclose。

Marketingdone，today，thetriofromthePlacestartedhomeward。

Lessthanaquarter-milefromtheirowngateway，theyheardtheblaringhonkofamotorhornbehindthem。

Withinasecondthereafter，arunaboutroaredpast，thecut-outmakingechoesalongthestillroad；andapoisonouslychokingcloudofdustwhirlingaloftinthespeedster\'swake。

ThewarninghonkhadnotgiventheMistresstimetoturnout。

Luckilyshewasdrivingwellonherownsideofthenone-too-wideroad。Asitwas，asharplittlejargavetestimonytothelighttouchofmudguards。Andtherunaboutwhizzedon。

"That\'soneofthespeed-idiotswhomakeanautomobileaninsulttoeverybodyexceptitsowner！Theyoungfool！"stormedtheMaster，gloweringimpotentlyattheothercar，alreadyahundredyardsahead；andatthebackofitsoneoccupant，asportily-cladyouthintheearlytwenties。

Ahigh-pitchedyelpingbark，——partlyofdismay，partlyofwarning，——fromLad，brokeinontheMaster\'sfumingremonstrance。

Thebigdoghadsprungupfromhisrearseatcushionand，withforepawsgrippingthebackofthefrontseat，hewaspeeringforward；hisheadandshouldersbetweentheMistressandtheMaster。

NeverbeforeinallhisrideshadLadsotransgressedtherulesofmotoringbehaviorastothrusthimselfforwardlikethis。A

wordofrebukediedontheMaster\'stongue；astheMistress，withagaspoffear，pointedahead，inthepathofthespeedingrunabout。

LadyandWolfhadhadajollygallopthroughthesummerwoodlands。Andatlasttheyhadturnedtheirfaceshomeward；fortheplungeinthecoollakewhichwaswonttofollowahotweatherrun。Sidebysidetheyjoggedalong，totheforestedge——andintothesixteen-acremeadowthatstretchesfromforesttohighway。

AfewrodsonthefarsideoftheroadwhichseparatedthemeadowfromtherestofthePlace，Wolfpausedtoinvestigateachipmunkhole。Ladywasmoreinterestedjusttheninsplashingherhotbodyinthechillofthelakethaninexploringforhypotheticalchipmunks。

Moreover，herkeenearscaughtasoundwhichrapidlysweptnearerandnearer。Amotor-carwiththemufflercutoutwasapproaching，atamostgratifyinglyhighspeed。

ThenoisewasasmartialmusictoLady。Thespeedpromisedexhilaratingsport。Hertrotmergedintoaheadlongrun；andshedashedoutintotheroad。

Therunaboutwasabarefiftyyardsaheadofher，anditwascomingonwithaspeedwhichshookevenLady\'sexcitement-cravingnerves。Here，evidently，wasaplaymatewhichitwouldbesafertochasethantoconfronthead-on。

Itwasatthisjuncture，bytheway，thatLadlurchedforwardfromtherearseatandthattheMistresspointedinterrorattheendangeredcollie。

Lady，foronceoverawedbyspeed，leapedtoonesideoftheroad。

Notfar，butleavingamplespaceforthedrivertomissherbyatleastayard。Hehadhonkedloudly，atsightofher。But，hehadabatednotanatomofhisfifty-mile-an-hourpace。

Whetherthemanwasrattledbythecollie\'santics，——whetherheactedinsuddenrageatherforstartlinghim，whetherhebelongedtothefilthybreedofmotoristwhoreciteschucklinglytherecordofhiskills，——hedidnotholdhismidroadcourse。

Instead，——stillwithoutcheckingspeed，——heveeredhismachineslightlytotheright；aimingtheflyingjuggernautdirectlyatthemischievously-poisedlittlecolliewhodancedinimaginedsafetyattheroad-edge。

Therestwashorror。

Mercifulinitsmercilessness，thehard-drivenrightfrontwheelsmotethesilkygoldenheadwithaforcethatleftnoterribleinstantoffearorofagony。Moreluckybyfarthanthemyriadinnocentandfriendlydogsthatareleftdailytoscreamouttheirliveswrithinglyinthewakeofspeedingmotor-cars，Ladywaskilledatasinglestroke。

Thefluffygoldenbodywashurledfarinfrontofitsslayer；andthewheelsstruckitasecondtime。Theforceoftheimpactcausedtherunabouttoskid，perilously；andtheyouthfuldriverbroughtittoajarringandbelatedhalt。Springingtotheground，herolledthedeadcollie\'simpedingbodyintotheshallowwaysideditch，clearofhiswheels。Then，scramblingaboardagain，hejammeddowntheaccelerator。

LadhadmadeaflyingleapoverthedooroftheMaster\'scar。Hestruckgroundwithaforcewhichcrumpledhishealingrightshoulderunderhim。Heedlessofthepain，hehurledhimselfforward，onthreelegs，atanincrediblespeed；straightfortherunabout。Hisgreatheadlow，hisformidableteethagleambeneathdrawn-backlips，hissofteyesa-smolderwithredflame，Ladcharged。

But，forallhisburstofspeed，hewastoolatetoavenge；evenashehadbeentoolatetosave。BythetimehecouldreachthespotwhereLadylaycrumpledandmovelessintheditch，therunabouthadgatheredfullspeedandwasdisappearingdownthebendofthehighway。

AfteritflewLad，silent，terrible，——notstoppingtorealizethatthefleetestdog，——evenwithallfourofhislegsincommission，——cannothopetooverhaulamotor-cardrivenatfiftymilesanhour。

But，attheendofafuriousquarter-mile，hiswisebraintookchargeoncemoreofhisvengeance-cravingheart。Hehalted，snarledhideouslyafterthevanishedcar，andlimpedmiserablybacktothesceneofthetragedy。

There，hefoundtheMistresssittingintheroadsidedust，Lady\'sheadinherlap。Shewassmoothinglovinglythesoftrumpledfur；

andwastryinghardnottocryovertheinertwarmmassofgold-and-whitefluffinesswhich，twominutesearlier，hadbeenabeautifulthoroughbredcollie，vibrantwithlifeandfunandlovableness。

TheMasterhadrisenfromhisbriefinspectionofhispet\'sfatalinjuries。Scowlingdowntheroad，heyearnedtokickhimselfforhisstupidityinfailingtonotetheJuggernaut\'snumber。

Headandtaila-droop，LadtoiledbacktowhereLadywaslying。A

queerlowsound，strangelylikeahumansob，pulsedinhisshaggythroat，ashebentdownandtouchedhisdeadmate\'smuzzlewithhisown。Then，huddlingclosebesideher，herevertedallatoncetoatraitofhisancestors，athousandgenerationsback。

Sittingonhishaunchesandliftinghispointednosetothesummersky，hegaveventtoaseriesoflong-drawnwolfhowls；

horribletohear。Therewasnohintofahousebredtwentiethcenturydoginhislament。Itwasthedeath-howloftheprimitivewolf；——asoundthatsentaninvoluntaryshiverthroughthetwohumanswholistenedaghasttotheirchum\'sawesomemourningforhislostmate。

TheMastermadeasthoughtosaysomething，——incomfortorincorrection。TheMistress，wiser，motionedtohimnottospeak。

Inafewseconds，Ladrosewearilytohisfeet；thespasmofprimalgriefhavingspentitself。Oncemorehewashimself；

sedate，wise，calm。

Limpingovertowherethecarhadhaltedsobriefly，hecastabouttheground，afterthemannerofabloodhound。

Presently，hecametoanabrupthalt。Hehadfoundwhathesought。Asmotionlessasabird-dogatpoint，hestoodthere；

nosetoearth，sniffing。

"Whatinblazes——？"begantheMaster，perplexed。

TheMistresswaskeenerofeyeandofperception。Sheunderstood。

ShesawtheLad\'sinhalinglyseekingmuzzlewassteadyaboveafaintmarkintheroad-dust；——themarkofabuckskinshoe\'sprint。Longandcarefullythedogsniffed。Then，withheavydeliberationhemovedontothenextfootprintandthenext。Therunabout\'sdriverhadtakenlessthanahalfdozenstepsinall；

duringhisshortdescenttotheground。ButLaddidnotstopuntilhehadfoundandidentifiedeachandeverystep。

"Heknows！"marveledtheMistress。"Hesawthebrutejumpdownfromhiscar。Andhehasfoundhisfootsteps。He\'llrememberthem，too。"

"Littlegooditwilldothepoorchap！"commentedtheMaster。"Hecan\'ttrackhim，thatway。Getaboard，won\'tyou？"hewenton。

"I\'llmakeLadgobackintothetonneauagain，too。Drivedowntothehouse；andtakeLadindoorswithyou。Bettertelephonetothevettocomeoverandhaveanotherlookathisshoulder。He\'swrencheditbadly，inallthatrun。Anyway，pleasekeephimindoorstill——"

HefinishedhissentencebyaglanceatLady。AttheMaster\'sorder，Ladwithsorereluctanceleftthebodyofhismate；

whitherhehadreturnedafterhisuselessfindingofthefootmarks。Hehadjustcurledup，intheditch，pressingclosetoherside；andagainthatunnaturalsobbingsoundwasinhisthroat。OntheMaster\'sbidding，Ladcrossedtothecarandsufferedhimselftobeliftedaboard。TheMistressstarteddownthedrive。Astheywent，Ladeverlookedback，withsufferingdespairinhisdarkeyes，atthathuddleofgoldenfuratthewayside。

TheMastercarriedthepitifullylightarmfultoasecludedspotfarbeyondthestables；andthereheburiedit。Then，satisfiedthatLadcouldnotfindhismate\'sgrave，hereturnedtothehouse。

Hisheartwasheavywithhelplesswrath。Againandagain，inthecourseoftheirdrives，heandtheMistresshadsickenedatsightofmutelyeloquentlittlebodiesleftinmid-roadortossedinsomeditch，——testimonytothecarelessnessandcalloushoggishnessofautoists。Somefewoftheserun-overdogs，——likepoorLady，——hadofcoursetemptedfate；spurredonbythatstrangecravingwhichgoadedthemtoflyatcars。Butthebulkofthemhadbeenstrollingpeacefullyalongthehighwaysorcrossingtoorfromtheirowndooryards，whenthejuggernautssmashedthemintotortureorintoinstantdeath。

TheMasterreflectedonthefriendlycountryfolkwhopaytaxesforthesceneryandforthefineroadswhichmakemotoringsopleasant；——andontherewardsomanymotoristsbestowupontheseruralhostsoftheirsbywantonorheedlessmurderofpetanimals。Forthefirsttime，hecouldunderstandhowandwhyfarmersaretemptedtostrewglassortacksintheroadtorevengetheslayingofabeloveddog。

Forthenextfewdays，untilhisshoulderwasagaininconditiontobearhiseighty-poundweightonit，Ladwaskeptindoorsorontheveranda。Assoonashewasallowedtogooutalone，thebigcolliewentstraighttothespotwherelasthehadseenLady\'sbody。Thence，heamadeacarefuldetourofthePlace，——seekingfor——something。Itwastwodaysbeforehefoundwhathesought。

Inthemeantime，——asever，sincehismate\'skilling，——heatepracticallynothing；andwentaboutinadaze。

"He\'llgetoveritpresently，"prophesiedtheMaster，tosoothehiswife\'sworry。

"Perhapsso，"returnedtheMistress。"Orperhapsnot。Rememberhe\'sacollie，andnotjustahuman。"

Onthethirdday，Lad\'ssystematicquarteringofthePlacebroughthimtothetinynewmound，farbeyondthestables。Twice，hecircledit。Thenhelaydown，veryclosebesideit；hismightyheadathwarttheridgeofupflungsod。

There，——havingseenhimfromadistance，——theMastercameacrosstospeaktohim。Butatsightoftheman，thecolliegotupfromhisrestingplaceandmovedfurtivelyaway。

Timeaftertime，duringthenextweek，theMasterortheMistressfoundhimlyingthere。Andalways，attheirapproach，hewouldgetupanddepart。Nordidhegodirecttothemound，onthesepilgrimages；butbydeviouspaths；asthoughtryingtoshakeoffpossiblepursuit。Nolongerdidhespendthenights，asfrompuppyhood，inhisbeloved"cave"underthepianointhemusicroom。Ononepretextoranother，hewouldmanagetoslipoutofthehouse，duringtheevening。Twice，ingraydawn，theMasterfoundhimcrouchedbesidethemound，where，sleepless，hehadlainallnight。

TheMistressandtheMastergrewseriouslytroubledovertheircolliechum\'scontinuedgrief。Theythought，morethanonce，ofsendinghimawaytoboardingkennelsortosomefriend，foramonthortwo；toremovehimfromthesurroundingswhichmadehimsowretched。Oddlyenough，hisheartbreakstruckneitherofthemasabsurd。

Theyhadmadealongstudyofcollienatureinallitsmillionqueerandhalf-humanphases。Theyknew，too，thatagrievingdogisupheldbynoneofthesupportsofFaithnorofPhilosophy；andthathelacksthewisdomwhichteachesthewondrousanaestheticpowersofTime。Asorrowingdogsorrowswithouthope。

NordidLad\'smiseryseemridiculoustothePlace\'smanykindlyneighbors；withwhomthegreatdogwasafavoriteandwhowererighteouslyindignantoverthekillingofLady。

Theninasingleminutecamethecure。

OnLaborDayafternoon，thefinalsinalocaltennistournamentweretobeplayedatthemiledistantcountryclub。TheMistressandtheMasterwentacrosstothetournament；takingLadalong。

Notthattherecouldbeanythingoftheremotestinteresttoadoginthesightofflanneledyoungpeopleswattingaballbackandforth。ButLadwasaprivilegedguestatalloutdoorfunctions；andheenjoyedbeingwithhistwodeities。

Thus，whenthetwoclimbedtheclubhouseveranda，Ladwasattheirheels；pacingalonginmajesticunhappinessandnotturninghisbeautifulheadinresponsetoanyofadozengreetingsflungathim。TheMistressfoundaseatamongabevyofneighbors。Ladlaydown，decorously，atherfeet；andrefusedtodisplaythefaintestinterestinanythingthatwentonaroundhim。

Theplayinghadnotyetbegun。Newarrivalsweredriftingupthestepsoftheclubhouse。Caraftercardisgorgedwomeninsportclothesandmeninknickerbockersorflannels。Therewasplentyofchatterandbustleandmotion。Ladpaidnoheedtoanyofit。

Then，uptothefootoftheverandastepsjarredaflashyrunabout；drivenbyaflashieryouth。Atwordfromthepolicemaninchargeheparkedhiscarattherearoftheclubhouseamongfiftyothers，andreturnedonfoottothesteps。

"That\'syoungRhuburger，"someonewasconfidingtotheMistress。

"Youmusthavereadabouthim。HewasarrestedasaConscientiousObjector，duringthewar。Sincethen，hisfatherhasdied，andlefthimallsortsofmoney。Andheisburningit；indoublehandfuls。Nooneseemstoknowjusthowhegotintotheclub，here。Andnooneseemsto——"

Thegossipymaunderingbrokeoffshort；drownedinawildbeastgrowl。

BoththeMistressandherhusbandhadbeeneyeingRhuburgerasheascendedtheverandastepsinallthegloryofunbelievablyexquisiteandgaudyraiment。Thereseemedtobothofthemsomethingvaguelyfamiliaraboutthefellow；thoughneithercouldplacehim。But，toLad，therewasnothingatallvagueinhisrecollectionsofthegorgeousnewcomer。

AsRhuburgerreachedthetopmoststep，thecollieliftedhishead，hisnostrilsdilatingwide。Athrillwentthroughhim。Hisnearsightedeyessweptthecrowd。TheyrestedatlastonRhuburger。Anotherdeepinhalationtoldhimallheneededtoknow。NotinvainhadLadsniffedsolongandsocarefullyatthosefaintfootprintsintheroaddust，atthespotwhereLadydied。Inhisthroatadeepgrowlwasborn。