第5章

"Hello，folks！"Rhuburgerwasdeclaiming，toawhollyunenthusiasticcircleofacquaintances。"Madeanotherrecord，justnow。ThelittleboatspunmeherefromMontclairinexactlynineteenminutes。That\'s——that\'sroughlyanaveragerateofamileinseventy-fiveseconds。Notsobad，eh？ThatcarsuremadeahitwithME，allright。Notsomuchofahit，maybe，withacoupleofchickensandafatolddogthathadthebadlucktobeasleepinthemiddleofthe——"

Hisplangentbragwaslostinasoundseldomheardonthehithersideofjungleorzoo。Fromthegroupofslightlydisgustedonlookers，ahugeandtawnyshapeburstforth；hurtlingthroughtheair，straightforthefatthroatoftheboaster。

Rhuburger，bysomeheaven-sentinstinct，flunguphisarmstoshieldhismenacedjugular。Hehadnotimetodomore。

Lad\'sfury-driveneightypoundsofmuscularweightcrashedfullagainsthischest。Lad\'sterribleteeth，missingtheirthroat-goal，drovedeepintotheupliftedrightforearm；shearingthroughimportedtweedcoat-sleeveandthroughcordedsilkenshirt，andthroughflabbyfleshandcleantotheverybone。

Thedog\'slion-roarblendedwiththepanic-screechesofthevictim。And，underthatfearfulimpact，Rhuburgerreeledbackfromthestairhead，andwentcrashingdownthesteps，tothebroadstoneflaggingatthebottom。

Notonce，duringthatmeteoric，shriek-punctureddownwardflight，didLadloosehisgriponthetornforearm。Butasthetwostrucktheflaggingatthebottom，heshiftedhishold，withlightningspeed；stabbingoncemorefortheexposedjugular。

Helungedmurderouslyathismark。Yes，andthistimehefoundit。Histeethhadtouchedthepudgythroat，andbegantocleavetheirremorselesswaytotheverylifeofthemanwhohadslainLady。

But，outofthejumbleofcriesandstampingfeetandexplosiveshoutsfromthescaredonlookersontheverandaabove，onestaccatoyellpiercedtheswirlofrage-mistsintheavengingcollie\'sbrain。

"LAD！"cametheMaster\'ssharp，scandalizedmandate。"LAD！！！"

Hatingthethoughtofdesistingfromhischerishedrevenge，thedogheardandheeded。Withvisiblereluctance，hedrewbackfromtheslaughter；andturnedhisnobleheadtofacethemanwhowasrunningdownthestepstowardhim。

Ladknewwellwhathemightexpect，forthisthinghehaddone。

HeknewtheLaw。Heknew，almostfrombirth，thecourteoustoleranceduetofolkamongwhomhisdeitiestookhim。Andnowhehadmadeanindustriousefforttokilloneofthesepeople。

Itwasnolightoffenseforadogtoattackahuman。Lad，likeeverywell-trainedcollie，knewthat。Hisowndeathmightwellfollow。Indeed，fromthebabelofvoicesontheveranda，squallingconfusedlysuchhackneyedsentimentsas"Maddog！"and"Getagun！"itseemedhighlyprobablethatLadwasduetosufferfullpenalty，fromtheman-pack。

Yethegavenoheedtotheclamor。Instead，turningslowly，hefacedtheMaster；readyforwhatevermightfollow。Butnothingfollowed，——nothingatleastthatheexpected。

TheMastersimplycommanded:——

"Down，Lad！"

Asthedog，obediently，droppedtotheground，theMasterbenttoexaminethegroaningandmaudlinlyweepingRhuburger。InthisSamaritantaskhewasjoinedbyoneortwooftheclub\'smoreventuresomememberswhohadfollowedhimdownthesteps。

Rhuburgerwasall-butdeliriouswithfright。HisthroatwasscoredbythefirstrakingofLad\'steeth；butinthemerestofflesh-wounds。Thechewedarmwasmoreserious；butnoboneortendonwasinjured。Afortnightofcarewouldseeitasgoodasnew。Bymoreorlessofamiracle，noboneshadbeenbrokenandnoconcussioncausedbythebackwarddivedowntheflightofsteps。Therewerebadbruisesa-plenty；buttherewasnothingworse。

AstheMasterandthefewotherswhohaddescendedthestepswereworkingoverthefallenman，theMistresscheckedtheturmoilontheveranda。AtLad\'sleap，memoryofthisspeed-madmotoristhadrushedbacktoher。

Now，tersely，forthebenefitofthosearound，shewasidentifyinghimwiththekillerofLady；whosedeathhadrousedsomuchindignationinthevillage。And，asshespoke，thepeoplewhohadclamoredloudestofmaddogsandwhohadcalledsofranticallyforagun，waxedsilent。ThemyriadglancescastattheprostrateandblubberingRhuburgerwerenotloving。Someoneevensaid，loudly"GOODoldLaddie！"

AstheMistressandtheMasterwereclosingthehouseforthenight，acarcamedownthedrive。Outofitsteppedtheirfriendofmanyyears，Maclay，thelocalJusticeofthePeace。

"Hello，Mac！"hailedtheMaster。"Heretotakeusalltojailforassault-and-battery；orjusttoservea\'dangerousdog\'noticeonus？"

Hespokelightly；buthewastroubled。Today\'sescapademightwellleadthevillagelawtotakesomecognizanceofLad\'sferociousdeed。

"No，"laughedMaclay。"Neitherofthosethings。I\'mhere，unprofessionally。Ithoughtyoupeoplemightliketoknowafewthings，beforeyougotobed。Inthefirstplace，thedoctorpatchedupRhuburger\'sbitesandtookhimhome。Hecouldn\'ttakehimhomeinRhuburger\'sowncar。Forsomeofthetenniscrowdhadgottenatthat。Whattheydidtothat$6，000runaboutwasacrime！Theystrippeditofeverything。Theythrewthecarburetorandthewheelsandthesteeringgearandalotofotherpartsintothelake。"

"WHAT？"

"Thentheylefttheircardspinnedtothedismantledmachine\'scushions；——incaseRhuburgercarestogofurtherintothematter。

Whiletheyweredoingallthat，theclub\'sGovernorshadahurry-callmeeting。AndforoncetheBoardwasunanimousaboutsomething。Itwasunanimous——inexpellingRhuburgerfromtheclub。Thenwe——Bytheway，where\'sLaddie？CurledupbyLady\'sgrave，asusual，Isuppose？Poorolddog！"

"No，"deniedtheMistress。"He\'sasleepinhis\'cave\'underthepiano。Hewentthere，ofhisownaccord。Andheateaperfectlytremendoussupper，tonight。He\'s——he\'sCURED！"

CHAPTERVIII。InStrangeCompanyLadwasgettingalonginyears。

Notyethadagebeguntoclawathim；blearingthewondrousdeep-setdarkeyesandsilveringtheclassicmuzzleandbroadeningtheshapelyskullandstiffeningthesweepinglyfreegait；dullingthesharpearsordoinganyoftheotherpitiablytragicthingsthatnaturedoestothedogwhoisprogressinginhisteens。Those，humiliationswerestillwaitingforLad，onebyone；beyondthenextTurnoftheRoad。

Yettherompandthespiritofbubblingfunandthelavishlyneedlessexercise——theseweremergingintosobriety。True，atraretimes，withtheMistressortheMaster——especiallywiththeMistress，Ladwouldforgethewasmiddle-agedanddignified；andwouldplaylikeacrazypuppy。But，forthemostparthehadbeguntocarryhisyearsatrifleseriously。

HewasnotyetinthewinteroreventheIndianSummerofhisbeautifullife。But，atleast，hehadstrolledintoitsearlyautumn。

Andthis，beitwellremembered，isthecursewhichStepmotherNatureplaceduponTheDog，whenheelectedtoturnhisbackonhisownkind，andtobecometheonlyoneoftheworld\'sfour-footedfolktoserveManofhisownaccord。TopunishtheDogforthisabnormality，Naturedecreedthathislifeshouldbegintofail，almostassoonasithadreachedthegloryofitsearlyprime。

Adogisnotathisbest，inmindorinbody，untilhehaspassedhisthirdyear。And，beforehenearstheten-yearmark，hehasbeguntodecline。Attwelveorthirteen，heisasdecrepitasistheaveragehumanofseventy。Andnotonedoginahundredcanbeexpectedtolivetofourteen。

(Lad，bysomemiracle，wasdestinedtoendurepasthisownsixteenthbirthday；arecordseldomequaledamonghisrace。)

Andsotoourstory:——

Whenthecarandtheloadedequipment-truckdrewupatthedoor，thatgoldenOctoberday，Ladforgothisadvancingyears。Inamoment，hewasoncemoreapuppy。Forheknewwhatitallmeant。

ItdidnotneedtheadventoftheMistressandtheMasterfromthehouse，inroughoutingclothes，northepilingofduffle-bagsandthelikeintothecar\'stonneau，tosendLaddieintoatransportoftrumpetingandgyrations。Thefirstsightandsniffofthetents，rolledtightinthetruck，haddonethat。Ladunderstood。Ladalwaysunderstood。

ThisgearmeanttheannualfallcampingtripinthebackreachesoftheRamapoMountains，sometwenty-oddmilesnorthofthePlace；thefortnightoftent-life，ofshooting，offishing，ofbracinglychillnightsandwhite-misteddawnsandofdrowsilyhappycampfireevenings。ItmeantallmannerofadventureandfunforLad。

Now，onafishingjaunt，thepresenceofanykindofdogisaliability；notanasset。Athousanddog-fancierfishermencanattesttothat。And，whenhumansarehuntinganysortofgame，acollieisseveraldegreesworsethanworthless。

Thus，Lad\'susefulness，asamemberoftheparty，waslikelytobenegligible；——exceptinthematterofguardingcampandasanall-roundpalforthetwocampers。

Yet，asonformeryears，therewasnoquestionofleavinghimathome。WheretheMistressandtheMasterwent，hewent，too；

wheneversuchathingwerepossible。Hewastheirchum。Andtheywouldhavemissedhimasmuchashewouldhavemissedthem。

Which，ofcourse，wasanabsurdwayfortworeasonablysanepeopletoregardameredog。But，then，Ladwasnota"mere"dog。

Thusitwasthathetookhisplace，byinvitation，inthecar\'stonneau，amidaruckofhand-luggage；asthecamp-wardpilgrimagebegan。Tenmilesfartheron，theequipmenttruckhaltedtotakeaboardaguidenamedBarret，andhisboy；andtheirprofessionallyreliableoldIrishsetter。

Thissetterhadaquality，notover-commonwithmembersofhisgrandbreed；atraitwhichlinkedhiscareerpatheticallywiththatofalivery-plug。Hewouldhuntforanybody。Hewentthroughhisday\'swork，instubbleorundergrowth，withthesadconscientiousnessofanelderlybookkeeper。

Awayfromthemainroad，andupasteadilyrisingbywaythatmergedintoanaxle-snappingmountain-track，toiledthecars；atlastcomingtoawheezyandradiator-boilinghaltatthefootofarock-summitsosteepthatnovehiclecouldbreastit。Inacup，atthesummitofthismountain-tophillock，wasthecamp-site；

itsfartheredgeonlyafewyardsabovealittlebass-populatedspring-lake。

Theluggagewashauled，gruntily，upthesteep；andcampwaspitched。Thencarandtruckdepartedforcivilization。Andthetwoweeksofwildernesslifesetin。

ItwasawonderfultimeforoldLad。Theremotenessandwildstillnessofitallseemedtotakehimback，inaway，tothewolf-centuriesofhisancestors。IthadbeenmonstrouspleasanttoroamthepeacefulforestbackofthePlace。Buttherewasagenuinethrillinexploringtheseall-butmanlesswoods；withtheirqueerscentsofwildthingsthatseldomventuredclosetotheordainedhauntsofmen。

Itwasexciting，towakeatmidnight，besidethesmolderingcampfire，andtohear，abovetheindustrioussnoring，oftheguideandhisboy，thestealthyforestnoises；thepad-pad-padofsomewaryprowlercirclingatlongrangethetwinklingembers；

thecrashofafar-offbuck；thelumberingofsomebeardowntothelaketodrink。Thealmostmovelesssharpaircarriedamyriadfascinatingscentswhichhumannostrilsweretoogrosstoregister；butwhichwereacutelyplainandunderstandabletothegreatdog。

Bestofall，inthisouting，Lad\'stwodeities，theMistressandtheMaster，wereneverbusyatdeskorpiano，ortoomuchtangledupwiththesocietyofsillyoutsiders，tobehiscomradesandplaymates。True，sometimestheyhurthissupersensitivefeelingsmostdistressingly，bycallingtohim:"No，no，Laddie。Back！

Watchcamp\'"whenheessayedtojointhemastheysetforthwithrodsovertheirshouldersforahalf-day\'sfishing；oras，armedwithguns，theywhistleduptheboredbutworthysetterforashootingtrip。But，forthemost，Ladwascloseattheirsides，duringthesetwowonderfulweeks。Andhewasveryhappy。

Once，duringasolitaryramble，beforethehumanshadawakenedinthemorning，Ladcaughtanoddscent；andfolloweditforaquartermiledownthemountainside。Itwaxedstrongerandranker。

Atlast，aturnaroundahighboulderbroughthimfacetofacewithitssource。Andhefoundhimselfconfrontingahugeblackbear。

Thebearwasbusylootingabee-tree。Itwastheseasonwhenheandhislikearestockingup，withallthefatmakingfoodtheycangorge，inpreparationforthewinter\'s"holing-in。"Thus，heviewedwithsluggishnon-interesttheadventofthedog。HehadscentedLadforaslongatimeasLadhadscentedhim。Buthehadeatenon，unperturbed。Forheknewhimselftobethematchofanyfourdogs；especiallyifthedogswereunaccompaniedbymen。And，alongautumnoffoodhaddulledhistemper。

So，hemerelycheckedhishoney-gorginglongenoughtorollarottedlogtoonesideandtoscoopupfromunderitapawfuloffatwhitegrubswhichhaddecidedtowinterbeneaththedecayedtrunk。Then，absent-mindedlybrushingasideasquadronofindignantbees，hecontinuedhissweetfeast。

AsLadroundedtheboulderandcametoagrowlinghalt，thebearraisedhishoney-smearedhead，showedayellowingfangfromunderoneupcurledcornerofhisstickylips；andgloweredevillyatthecolliefromoutofhisreddeninglittleeyes。Thenhemadeasthoughtogooneating。

ButLadwouldnothaveitso。Intohisrejuvenatedheartstoleatingeofthemischiefwhichmakesacolliepuppydashharrowinglyatatetheredcow。Barkingwithsheerdelightintheexcitementofmeetingthissavage-lookingmonster，thedogrushedmerrilyatthebear。Histeethwerenotbared。Hishackleswerenotbristling。Thiswasnofight；butajollygame。Lad\'sdarkeyesdancedwithfun。

Midwayofhischarge，hecheckedhimself。Notthroughfear，butfromutterastonishment。Forhisnewacquaintancehaddonearightnon-quadrupedalthing。Bruinhadrearedhimselfuponhishindlegs；andwasstandingthere，likeaman，confrontingthedog。Hetowered，thus，eversohighaboveLad\'shead。

Hisshortarms，withtheirsaber-shapedclaws，wereoutstretchedtowardLad，asifinhumblesupplication。Buttherewasnothingsupplicatingorevencivilinthetinyredeyesthatsquintedferociouslydownatthecollie。SmallwonderthatLaddiehaltedhisowngallopingadvance；andstooddoubtful！

TheMaster，aminuteearlier，hadturnedoutoftheblanketsforhispainfullyicymorningplungeinthelakelet。Thefanfareofbarking，aquarter-milebelow，changedhisintent。Atruedogmanknowshisdog\'sbark，——anditseveryshadeofmeaning，——aswellasthoughitwerehumanspeech。FromthemannerwherewithLadhadgiventongue，theMasterknewhehadcorneredortreedsomethingquiteoutofthecommon。Catchinguphisrifle，hemadeforthedirectionofthebark；runningattopspeed。

Thebearputanendtothemomentofhesitancy。Lungingforward，herakedatthecrouchingcollie，withoneofhismurderousclaws；inagesturedesignedtogathertheimpudentdogintohisdeath-embrace。

Now，evenfromhumans，exceptonlytheMistressandtheMaster，Laddetestedpattingorhandlingofanykind。Whetherhethoughtthismaneuverofthebear\'sanuncouthformofcaressorknewitforamenace，——hemovedbackfromit。Yethedidsowithaleisurelymotion，devoidoffearandexpressiveofacertainloftycontempt。Perhapsthatiswhyhemovedwithouthisnativecaution。

Atallevents，thetipofoneofthesweepingclawsgrazedhisear，openingthebigvein，andhurtingliketheverymischief。

Ontheinstant，Ladchangedfromamischievousinvestigatortoadeeplyoffendedandangrydog。NolongerindoubtastoBruin\'sintent，heslitheredoutofreachofthegraspingarms，withalltheamazingspeedofawolf-descendedcollieofthebestsort。

And，inpracticallythesamefractionofasecond，hehadflashedbacktotheattack。

Divinginundertheother\'ssurprisinglyagilearms，heslashedthebear\'sstomachwithoneofhisrazorlikeeyeteeth；thenspuntoonesideandwasoutofreach。Downcamethebear，onallfours；ragingfromtheslash。Lurchingforward，heflunghishugebulkatthedog。Ladflashedoutofreach，butwithlessleewaythanhewouldhaveexpected。ForBruin，forallhisawkwardness，couldmovewithbewilderingspeed。

And，asthebearturned，Ladwasathimagain，nippingthehairyflank，tillhisteethmetinitsfat；andthendivingasbeforeunderthelungingbodyofthefoe。

ItwasatthispointtheMasterhoveinsight。Hewasjustintimetoseetheflank-biteandtoseeLaddanceoutofreachofthefuriouscounter。Itwasaninterestingspectacle，thereinthegraydawnandintheprimevalforest\'sdepths；——thisbattlebetweenagallantdogandaraginglyangrybear。Ifthedoghadbeenotherthanhisownlovedchum，theMastermighthavestoodthereandwatcheditsoutcome。Buthewasenoughofawoodsmantoknowtherecould，inallprobability，bebutoneendtosuchafight。

Ladweighedeightypounds，——anunusuallyheavyweightforacolliethatcarriesnoloosefat，——andhewasthemostcompactlypowerfuldogofhissizetheMasterhadeverseen。Also，whenhechosetoexertit，Ladhadtheswiftnessofawildcatandthebattlingprowessofatiger。

Yetallthiswouldscarcecarryhimtovictory，oreventoadraw，againstablackbearseveraltimesheavierthanhimselfandwiththeabilitytorendwithhisclawsaswellaswithhisteeth。OnceletLad\'sfootslip，inchargeorinelusiveretreat，——oncelethimmisjudgetimeordistance——andhemustbecrushedtoapulporrippedtoribbons。

Wherefore，theMasterbroughthisrifletohisshoulder。Hisfingercurledaboutthetrigger。Butitwasnoeasything，bythatdimlight，toaimwithanyaccuracy。NorwastheretheslightestassurancethatLad，——dancinginandoutandeverywhereandnowhereatonce，——mightnotcomeinlinewiththebullet。

Thus，——fromatolerableknowledgeofbearsandoftheircomparativemildnessintheplumpseasonoftheyear，——heshoutedatthetopofhislungs；and，atthesametime，firedintotheair。

Thebluffsufficed。EvenasLadjumpedbackfromclosequartersandwhirledabout，atsoundofthevoiceandtheshot，——thebeardroppedtoallfours，withridiculoushaste；andshambledoffatverycreditablespeedintothetangleofundergrowth。

Notsofargoneinthebattle-lusthadBruinbeenthathecaredtoriskconflictwithanarmedman。Twice，before，inhissomewhatlonglife，hadheheardatclosequartersthesnapofarifle，intheforeststillness，andthewhineofabullet。Once，suchabullethadfounditsmarkbyscoringagougeonhisscalp；

agougewhichgnatsandmayfliesand"no-see-\'ems"andlesscleanlypestshadmadeatormentforhim，forweeksthereafter。

Bruinhadagoodmemory。Justnow，hehadnothingtodefend。Hewasnotatbay。Norhadthefight-furypossessedhimtotheexclusionofsanity。Thus，hefled。And，eagerly，Ladgavechase。

But，attheveryedgeofthebush-rampart，theMaster\'scallbroughtthecollieback，toheel，exceedingglumandreluctant。

Reproachfully，Ladgazedupatthemanwhohadspoiledhismorningofenthrallingsport。Halfheartedly，LadlistenedtotheMaster\'srebuke，ashefollowedbacktocamp。Hisdayhadbegunsodelightfully！And，asusual，ahumanhadinterruptedthefun，atthemostexcitingtime；andfornoapparentreason。Humanswerelikethat。

Barringoneotherincident，Lad\'stwoweeksatcampwereuneventful，——untiltheverylastday。That"oneincident"canbepassedover，withmodestbrevity。Itconcernedablack-and-whitecatwhichLadsaw，oneevening，sneakingpastthecampfire\'sfarthestshadows。Hegavechase。Thechaseendedinlessthantenseconds。And，Ladhadtobebathedandscouredandrubbedandanointed，forthebestpartoftwenty-fourhours，beforehewasallowedtocomeagainwithinfiftyfeetofthediningtent。

Onarawmorning，thecarandthetruckmadetheirappearanceatthefootoftherockymountaintophillock。Thetentshadbeenstruck，atdaylight；andeverycookingutensilanddishhadbeenscouredandputintothecrateassoonasitwasused。Campwaspolicedandcleaned。Thefirewasbeatentodeath；ahalf-scorepailsofwaterweredowsedoveritsremains；anddampearthwasflunguponit。

Inshort，thecampingspotwasnotonlyleftasithadbeenfoundandasonewouldwantittobefoundagain，buteverytraceoffirewasdestroyed。

Andallthis，beitknown，ismorethanamereruleforcampers。

Itshouldbetheirsacredcreed。Ifoneisnotthoroughgoingsportsmanenoughtomakehiscamp-sitescrupulouslyclean，atleastthereisonedetailheshouldneverallowhimselftoneglect；——adetailwhoseomissionshouldbepunishedbyaterminprison:Namely，theutterextinctionofthecampfire。

Everyyear，millionsofdollars\'worthofsplendidtreesandofhomesarewipedout，byforestfires。Noforestfire，sincethebirthoftime，everstartedofitsownaccord。Eachandeveryonehasbeenduetohumancarelessness。

Acampfireill-extinguished；——asmolderoftobacconotstampedout；——theflamingcindersofarailroadtrain，——amatchdroppedamongdryleavesbeforesparkandblazehavebothbeendestroyed，——thesebethefirstandonlycausesoftheaverageforestfire。Allareavoidable。Noneisavoided。Andthelosstopropertyandtolifeandtonaturalresourcesisunbelievablygreat。

Anyfoolcanstartaforestfire。Indeed，afoolgenerallydoes。

Butahundredmencannotcheckit。Forestwardenspostwarnings。

Forestpatrols，afootorinairships，keepsharpwatch。Buttheselfishcarelessnessofmanundoestheirbestprecautions。

Sometimesinspringorinlushsummer，butfaroftenestinthedryautumn，theRedTerrorstalksovermountainandvalley；

leavingblackruininitswake。Scarceanautumnpassesthatthedirtysmokereekdoesnotcreepovermilesofsweetwoodland，blottingoutthesunshineforatimeandblottingoutrichvegetationformuchlonger。

Thisparticularautumnwasnoexception。Onthedaybeforecampwasbroken，theMistresshadspied，fromtheeyrieheightsoftheknoll，agrimlineofhazefartosouthward；andalessersmoke-smeartothewest。Andthenightsky，ontwohorizons，hadbeenfaintlylurid。

Thecampershadnotedthesephenomena，withsorrow。For，eachwraithlikesmoke-swirlmeantthedeathoftreeandshrub。Ladnotedthesmudgesasdistinctlyasdidthey。Indeed，tohiscaninenostrils，thechillautumnairbroughtthefaintreekofwood-smoke；anodormuchtooelusive，atthatdistance，forhumanstosmell。And，onceortwice，hewouldglanceinworriedconcernatthesehumans；asifwonderingwhytheytooksocoollyamanifestationthatathousand-year-oldhereditaryinstinctmadethedogshrinkfrom。

Butthehumansshowednooutwardsignofterrororofrage。And，asever，takinghistonefromhisgods，Laddecidedtherewasnothingtofear。So，hetriedtogivenofurtherheedtothereek。

Thedriverofthetruckandhisassistantwerefulloftalesofthefire\'sravagesinothersections。Andtheirrecitalwasheardwithactiveinterestbythefolkwhoforfourteendayshadbeenoutoftouchwiththeworld。

"It\'swellwe\'relightingoutforcivilization，"saidtheMaster，ashesuperintendedtheloadingofthetruck。"Thewoodsareasdryastinder。Andifthewindshouldchangeandgrowabitfresher，theblazeovernearWildcatMountainmightcomeinthisdirection。Ifeveritdoes，it\'lltravelfasterthananygangoffire-fighterscanblockit。Thisregionisdeadripeforsuchathing。Notadropofraininamonth……No，no，Laddie！"hebrokeoffinhismaunderings，asthecolliesoughttoleapaboardthetruckinthewakeofarollofbedding。"No，no。You\'regoingwithus，inthecar。"

Now，longusageandanuncannyintelligencehadgivenLadamorethantolerableunderstandingoftheEnglishlanguage\'ssimplerphrases。Theterm，"You\'regoingwithusinthecar，"wasascomprehensibletohimastoanychild。Hehadhearditspoken，withfewvariations，athousandtimes，inthepastnineyears。Atonce，onhearingtheMaster\'scommand，hejumpeddownfromthetruck；trottedofftothecar，ahundredyardsdistant；andsprangintohiswontedplaceintheluggage-clutteredtonneau。

Hechancedtojumpaboard，fromoneside；justastheguide\'shobbledehoysonwashoistingaheavyandcumbersomedufflebagintothetonneau，fromtheother。Lad\'seightypoundsofnervousenergysmotethebag，amidships；astheboywasbalancingithighinair，preparatorytosettingitdownbetweentwoothersacks。

Asaresult，boyandbagrolledbackwardinatangledembrace，acrossseveralyardsofstonyground。

Ladhadnotmeanttocauseanysuchcatastrophe。Yethestoodlookingdowninkeenenjoymentatthelivelyspectacle。Butastheboycametoahalt，againstasharp-pointedrock，andsatup，snivelingwithpain，thegreatdog\'saspectchanged。Seemingtorealizehewassomehowtoblame，hejumpedlightlydownfromthecarandwentovertooffertothesufferersuchcomfortaspattingforepawandfriendlylickingtonguecouldafford。

"Here！"calledtheguide，whohadseenbutacrosssectionofthecollision。"Here，you！Stopa-playin\'withthedorg，andhustlethembagsonto——"

"Iwa\'n\'tplayin\'withhim，"half-blubberedtheboy，gloweringdourlyatthesympatheticLad；andscramblingupfromhisbruise-puncturedrollontheground。"Hecamea-buntin\'me；andI——"

"That\'lldo，Sonny！"raspedBarret，whowasstrongondisciplineandwhofanciedhehadwitnessedtheclimaxofamerrygamebetweenboyanddog，"IseenwhatIseen。AndIdon\'taimtotakenoback-talkfromawall-eyed，long-legged，chuckle-headedbrat；

that\'shiredtohelphispoorolddadandwhospendshistimecuttin\'monkeyshineswithadorg。Youtakethatcollieovertothetruck，andaskhisbosstolookafterhimandtoseehedon\'tpesteruswhilewe\'reaworkin\'。Onthewayback，stopatthelean-toandcatchmethatbagofcookin\'thingsIleftthere。

The\'sjustroomfor\'em，undertheseat。Chase！"

Woefully，theboylimpedoff；hishandclinchedinthefurofLad\'sruff。Thedog，ordinarily，wouldhaveresentedsuchfamiliarity。But，stillseekingtocomfortthevictim\'smanifestunhappiness，hesufferedhimselftobeledalong。WhichwasLad\'sway。Thesightofsorroworofpainalwaysmadehimridiculouslygentleandsympathetic。

Theboy\'sbruiseshurtcruelly。Thedistancetothetruckwasafullhundredyards。Thedistancetothelean-to(apermanentshed，backofthecamp-site)wasaboutthesame，andinalmosttheoppositedirection。Theprospectofthedoublejourneywasnotalluring。Theyouthhitonaschemetoshortenit。Firstglancingbacktoseethathisfatherwasnotlooking，heclimbedthebarestonyhillock，towardthelean-to；Ladpacingcourteouslyalongbesidehim。

Arrivedattheshed，hetookfromanailarope-length；tieditaroundLad\'sneck；fastenedthedogtooneoftheuprights；

shoulderedthecooking-utensilbag；andstartedbacktowardthecar。

Hehadsavedhimself，thus，alongerwalk；andhadobeyedhisfather\'sorderstotakeLadaway。HewascertaintheMaster，oroneoftheothers，missingthedog，wouldseehimstandingforlornlythere，justoutsidethelean-to\'scorner；orthatanothererrandwouldbringsomeofthepartytotheshedtoreleasehim。Atbest，theboywassoreofheartandofbody，athisownroughtreatment。Andhehadscantinterestanythingelse。

Twentyminuteslater，thetruckchuggedbumpilyoff，uponitstripdownthehazardousmountaintrack。Theguide\'sboyrodeintriumphontheseatbesidethetruckman；——apositionofhonorandofexcitement。

"Where\'sLad？"askedtheMistress，aminuteafterward，assheandtheMasterandtheguidemadereadytogetintothecarandfollow。

"Aboardthetruck，"respondedBarret，inentiregoodfaith。"Himandmyboygota-skylarkin\'here。SoIsentBudovertothetruckwithhim。"

"That\'squeer！"musedtheMistress。"Why，Laddienevercondescendstoplay，——or\'skylark，\'asyoucallit，——withanyoneexceptmyhusbandormyself！He——"

"Nevermind！"putintheMaster。"We\'llcatchupwiththetruckbeforeit\'sgoneamile。AndwecantakeLaddieaboardhere，then。ButIwonderheconsentedtogoahead，withoutus。Thatisn\'tlikeLad。Holiday-spirits，Isuppose。Thistriphasmadeapuppyofhim。AstatelyoldgentlemanlikeLaddiewouldneverthinkofroundingupbearsandskunks，ifhewasathome。"Ashetalked，thecargotunderway；movingatracketyandracking"firstspeed"overhummockandbump；asitjoggledintothefaintwheeltrack。ByreasonofthisnoiseandoftheMaster\'sstupidhomily，noneofthetrioheardanamazedlittlebark，fromtheknoll-top，ahundredyardsbehindthem。

Nordidthecarcatchupwiththetruck。Attheendofthefirsthalfmile，thehorribleroadbedbegantotaketolloftheelderlytires。Thereweretwopunctures，inrapidsuccession。Thencameablowout。And，atthebottomofthemountainathirdpuncturevariedthemonotonyoftheride。Thus，thetruckreachedthePlacewellaheadofthefastervehicle。

TheMistress\'sfirstquestionwasforLad。Terrorseizedupontheguide\'sboy，asherememberedwherehehadleftthedog。Heglancedobliquelyatthetruckman，whohadunloadedandwhowascranking。

"Now——"saidthescaredyouth，glibly，avoidinghisfather\'sunsuspectingeye。"Now——now，Ladhewassettin\'\'twixtSimmonsandme。Andhehopsdownandrunsoffaroundthehouse，towards——towardsthelake——soonaswestoppedhere。Mostlikelyhewasthirsty-like，orsomething。"

TheMistresswasbusywithdetailsofthecar\'sunpacking。Sosheacceptedtheexplanation。ItseemedprobablethatthelonganddustyrideshouldhavemadeLadthirsty；andthatafterhisdrinkatthelake，hehadmadetheroundsofthePlace；aseverwashiswontafterhisfewbriefabsencesfromhome。

Notuntildinnertimedidshegiveanotherthoughttoherlovedpet\'sabsence。Theguideandhisboyhadlongsincedeparted，onthetruck，fortheirten-miledistanthome。Nor，evenyet，diditoccurtotheMistresstoquestionthetruthoftheyoungster\'sstory。Shemerelywonderedwhy，forthefirsttimeinhislife，Ladshouldabsenthimselfatdinnertimefromhistime-honoredplaceonthedining-roomfloor，attheMaster\'sleft。And，amusedly，sherecalledwhatherhusbandhadsaidofthestatelydog\'snewpropensityformischief。PerhapsLadwasexploringthefriendlyhome-woodsinsearchofabear！

Butwhenteno\'clockcameandLaddidnotseektheshelterofhis"cave"underthemusic-roompiano，forthenight，therewasrealworry。TheMistresswentoutontheverandaandsoundedlongandshrillyuponthesilverwhistlewhichhungfromherbelt。

Frompuppyhood，Laddiehadalwayscome，atasweepinggallop，onsoundofthiswhistle。Itsnotescouldtravel，throughstillair，forahalfmileormore。Theirfaintestechoesalwaysbroughtthedogineagerresponse。Buttonight，adozenwait-punctuatedblastsbroughtnootherresponsethantosetthedistantvillagedogstobarking。

TheMistresswentbackintothehouse，genuinelyworried。Actingonasuddenidea，shecalledupthePlace\'ssuperintendent，atthegatelodge。

"Youweredownherewhenthetruckcametothehousethisafternoon，weren\'tyou？"sheasked。

"Yes，ma\'am，"saidtheman。"Iwaswaitingforit。MikeandI

helpedSimmonstounload。"

"DidyouseewhichwayLadwent，whenhejumpedoutofthetruck？"pursuedtheMistress。"Orhaveanyofyouseenhimsincethen？"

"Why，no，ma\'am，"camethepuzzledanswer。"Ihaven\'tseenhimatall。Isupposedhewasinthecarwithyou，andthatmaybehe\'dbeeninthehouseeversince。Hewasn\'tonthetruck:That\'sonesurething。Isawitstop；andIstayedtilltheyfinishedemptyingit。Ladwasn\'tthere。"

Therewasamoment\'spause。Then，theMistressspokeagain。Hervoiceslightlymuffled，shesaid:

"Pleasefindoutifthereisplentyofgasinmycar；——enoughtotakeit——say，fortymiles。Thankyou。"

"Whatonearth——？"begantheMaster，ashiswifeleftthetelephoneandpickedupanulster。

"Laddiedidn\'tcomehomeonthetruck，"shemadetremulousreply。

"Andhewasn\'twithus。Hehasn\'tcomehomeall。"

"He\'llfindhisway，easilyenough，"returnedtheMaster，albeitwithnogreatassurance。"Lad\'sfoundhiswayfartherthanthat。

He——"

"Ifhewasgoingtofindhisway，"interruptedtheMistress，"he\'dhavefounditbeforenow。IknowLaddie。Sodoyou。Heisupthere。Andhecan\'tgetback。He——"

"Nonsense！"laughedtheMaster。"Why，ofcourse，he——"

"Heisupthere，"insistedtheMistress，"andhecan\'tgetback。

Iknowhimwellenoughtobe，surehe\'dhaveovertakenus，whenwestoppedallthosetimestofixthetires；——ifhehadbeenleftbehind。AndIknowsomethingelse:Whenwestartedon，afterthatfirstpuncture，wewereabouthalfamilebelowtheknoll。Andaswewentaroundthebend，therewasagapinthetrees。Iwaslookingback。Forasecond，Icouldseethelean-to，outlinedeversoclearlyagainstthesky。Andalongsideofitwasstandingsomeanimal。Itwasfaraway；andwepassedoutofsightsosuddenly，thatIcouldn\'tseewhatitwas；exceptthatitwaslargeanddark。Anditseemedtobestrugglingtomovefromwhereitstood。Iwasgoingtospeaktoyouaboutit，——IsupposeditwasthatblackbearofLaddie\'s，——whenwehadthenextpuncture。

Andthatmademeforgetallaboutit；——tillnow。Ofcourse，itneveroccurredtomeitcouldbeLad。BecauseBarrethadsaidhewasinthetruck。But——butoh，itWASLaddie！He——hewasfastened，orcaught，insomeway。Iknowhewas。Why，Icouldseehimstruggleto——"

"Comeon！"brokeintheMaster，hustlingintohismackinaw。

"Unlessyou\'llstayhere，whileI——"

"No，"sheprotested。"I\'mgoing。AndI\'mgoingbecauseI\'mthinkingofthesamethingthat\'stroublingyou。I\'mthinkingofthoseforestfiresandofwhatyousaidaboutthewindchangingand——"

"Comeon！"repeatedtheMaster；startingforthegarage。

Whichshowshowmaudlinlyfoolishtwootherwisesanepeoplecanbe；whentheyareluckyenoughtoownsuchadogasSunnybankLad。Naturally，therightcourse，atsocoldandlateanhouroftheautumnnight，andafteralongdayofpackingandmotoringandunpacking，wastogotobed；andtotrusttoluckthatthewiseoldcolliewouldfindhiswaybackagain。Instead，thetwosetoffonatwenty-milewildgoosechase，withworriedfacesandfast-beatinghearts。Itdidnotoccurtoeitherofthemtostayathome；ortosendsomeoneelseonthelong，frostydriveinsearchofthemissingdog。

Ladhadwatchedthepreparationsfordeparturewithincreasingworry。Also，theabnormallysensitiveoldfellowwaswretchedlyunhappy。Exceptatdog-shows，hehadneverbeforebeentiedup。

Andatsuchshows，theMistressandtheMasterwerealwaysonhandtopetandreassurehim。Yet，here，hehadsufferedhimselftobetiedbyasmellyropetotherottingpostofalean-to，byacomparativestranger。And，intheopengroundbelowthehillock，hisdeitiesmovedbackandforthwithoutsomuchasanupwardglanceathim。

Then，tohisdismay，truckandcarhadmadeoffdownthemountainside；andhehadbeenleftaloneinhisimprisonment。

Exceptforasingleunheardbarkofprotest，Ladmadenoefforttocallbackthedepartinghumans。Neverbeforehadtheyforsakenhim。Andhehadfulltrustthattheywouldcomebackinafewminutesandsethimfree。

Whenthecarhalted，ahalf-milebelow，Ladfeltcertainhisfaithwasabouttobejustified。Then，asitmovedonagain，hesprangtotheendofhisshortrope，andtriedtobreakfreeandfollow。

Thencamethedyingawayofthechuggingmotor\'sechoes；andsilencerolledupandengulfedthewildernesshilltop。

Ladwasalone。Theyhadgoneoffandlefthim。Theyhadwithneverawordofgoodbyorafriendlycommandtowatchcampuntiltheirreturn。Thiswasnotthedog\'sfirstsojournincamp。Andhismemorywasflawless。Always，herecalled，thearrivalandtheloadingofthetruckandthestrikingoftentshadmeantthatthestaywasoverandthatatthepartywasgoinghome。

Home！Thecharmandnoveltyofthewildernessallatoncefaded。

Ladwasdesperatelylonelyanddesperatelyunhappy。Andhisfeelingswerecruellyhurt；atthestrangetreatmentaccordedhim。

Yet，itdidnotoccurtohimtoseekfreedomandtofollowhisgodstothehomeheloved。Hehadbeentiedhere，presumablybytheirorder；certainlywiththeirknowledge。Anditbehoovedhimtowaituntiltheyshouldcometoreleasehim。Heknewtheywouldcomeback，soonorlate。Theywerehisgods，hischums，hisplaymates。Theywouldnomoredeserthimthanhewouldhavedesertedthem。Itwasallright，somehow。Only，thewaitingwastedious！

Withatiredlittlesigh，thecolliecurledupinamiserableheaponthestonyground，theshortnessofhistethermakingeventhiseffortatreposeanythingbutcomfortable。Andhewaited。

Adog，thatishappyandwell，settleshimselfforaprolongedwait，bystretchingoutonhisside；——oftenesttheleftside；andbydroppingoffintoslumber。Seldom，unlesshebecoldorill，doesabigdogcurlupintoaball，torest。Norishethoroughlycomfortableinsuchaposture。

Ladwasnotcomfortable。Hewasnotresting。Hewaswretched。Nordidhetrytosnooze。Curledinacompactheap，hissorrowfuleyesabrimwithsorrow，helayscanningthebumpymountainsideandstraininghisears，forsignofthecar\'sreturn。Hisbreathingwasnotassplendidlyeasyasusual。For，increasingly，thatearliertwingeofacridsmoke-reekwasticklinghisthroat。

Thehaze，thathadhoveredoverthefartherhilltopsandvalleys，wasthickening；anditwascreepingnearer。Thebreathofmorningbreezewasstiffeningintoasteadywind；awindthatblewstrongfromthewestandcarriedonitthesmellofforestfire。

Laddidnotenjoytheever-strongersmokescent。Buthegaveonlyhalf-heedtoit。Hismainattentionwascenteredonthatwindingwagon-trackwhencethecarandthetruckhadvanishedintothelowlands。And，throughthesolemnlyspenthourshelayforlornlywatchingit。

But，aftersunset，thesmokebecametoopervasivetobeignoredlonger。Itwasnotonlystinginghisthroatandlungs，butitwasmakinghiseyessmart。Andithadcutofftheviewofallsavethenearermountain-peaks。

Ladgottohisfeet；whiningsoftly，underhisbreath。Ancestralinstinctwasfairlyshoutingtohisbrainthatherewasterribleperil。Hestrainedathisthickrope；andlookedimploringlydownthewagon-road。

Thewindhadswelledintosomethinglikeagale。And，now，toLad\'skeenearscamethefar-offsnapandcrackofamilliondrytwigsastheflamekissedtheminitsfast-crawlingadvance。Thissharpersoundroseandfell，asathemetotheendlessandslowly-augmentingroarwhichhadbeenperceptibleforhours。

Again，Laddiestrainedathisheavyrope。Again，hissmoke-stungeyesexploredthewindingtraildownthemountain。Nolongerwasthetrailsodistinguishableasbefore。Notonlybyreasonofdarkness，butbecausefromthatdirectioncamethebulkoftheeddyinggustsofwind-drivensmoke。

Thefire\'smountingcoursewasparallelingthetrail；checkedfromcrossingitonlybyastreambedandanoutcropofgranitewhichzigzaggedupwardfromthevalley。Thedarknessservedalsototingetheloweringskytosouthandtowestwardwithasteadilybrighteningluridglare。TheMasterhadbeenrightinhisglumprophecythatastrongandsuddenshiftofwindwouldcarrytheconflagrationthroughthetinder-dryundergrowthanddeadtreesofthatsideofthemountain，farfasterthananybodyoffire-fighterscouldhopetocheckit。

Theflame-reflectionbegantolighttheopenspacesbelowtheknoll，withincreasingvividness。Thechillofearlyeveningwascounteractedwavesofsullenheat，whichthewindsentswirlingbeforeit。

Ladpanted；fromwarmthasmuchasfromnervousness。Hehadgonealldaywithoutwater。Andacollie，moreperhapsthananyotherdog，needsplentyoffresh，coolwatertodrink；atanyandalltimes。Thehotwindandthesmokewereparchinghisthroat。Histhirstwasintolerable。

Behindhim，notverymanyyardsaway，wastheice-coldmountainlakeletinwhichsooftenhehadbathedanddrunk。Thethoughtofitmadehimhatethestoutrope。

Buthemadenoseriousefforttofreehimself。Hehadbeentiedthere，——supposedlybytheMaster\'scommand。And，asawell-traineddog，itwashisplacetostaywherehewas，untiltheMastershouldfreehim。So，apartfromaninstinctivetugortwoathismoorings，hesubmittedtohisfate。

But，inmid-evening，somethingoccurred，tochangehisviewpoint，inthismatterofnonresistance。

Thelineoffire，climbingthemountaintowardhim，hadencounteredamarshystretch；where，innormalweather，waterstoodinchesdeep。Despitethedrought，therewasstillenoughmoisturetostaytheadvanceoftheredlineuntilthedampnesscouldbeturnedtodustandtinderyvegetation。And，inthemeanwhile，afterthecustomofitskind，thefirehadsoughttospreadtoeitherside。Stoppedatthegranite-outcroptotheright，ithadrolledfasterthroughtheherbagetotheleft。

Thus，bythetimethemorasswasdryenoughfortheflametopassit，therewasagreatsickleofcrawlingredfiretotheleft；

whichencircledawholeflankofthemountainandwhichwasmovingstraightupward。

Ladknewnothingofthis；norwhytheadvanceofthefire\'sdirectlinehadbeensolongchecked。Nordidheknow，presumably，thatthissickleofflamewasgirdlingthemountain-flank；likeamurderousnet；hemminginalllivethingswithintheflamingarcandforcingthemoninpanic，aheadofitsadvance。Perhapshedidnotevennotethemadscurryingsinundergrowthandbramble，infrontoftheoncomingblaze。Butonething，veryspeedily，becameapparenttohim:——

Fromoutascreenofhazelandwitch-elm(almostdirectlyinfrontoftheplacewherethetruck，thatmorning，hadbeenloaded)crashedarighthideousobject。BysightandbyscentLadknewthecreatureforhisoldenfoe，thegiantblackbear。

Growling，squealing，adozenstingingfierysparkssizzlingthroughhisbushycoat，thebeartorehiswayfromthehedgeofthicketandoutintotheopen。Thefirehadrousedhimfromhissnuglairandhaddrivenhimaheadofitwithamyriadhornetsofflame，inacrazedsearchforsafety。

Atsightoftheformidablemonster，Ladrealizedforthefirsttimethefullextentofhisownhelplessness。Tetheredtoaropewhichgavehimscarcetwenty-fiveinchesofleeway，hewasinnofitconditiontofendoffthegiant\'sassault。

Hewastednotimeinfutilestruggles。Allhisrace\'suncannypowersofresourcecamerushingtohisaid。Withoutaninstant\'spause，hewheeledabout；anddrovehiskeenteethintotheropethatboundhimtothepost。

Laddidnotchewaimlesslyatthethicktether；northrowawayoneounceofuselessenergy。Seizingthehempenstrands，hegroundhisteethdeeplyandwithscientificskill，intotheirfrayingrecesses。Thusdoesadog，addictedtocuttinghisleash，attackthebondswhichholdhim。

ItwasLad\'sfirstexperienceofthekind。Butinstinctservedhimwell。Thefactthattheropehadbeenleftoutofdoors，inallweathers，forseveralyears，servedhimfarbetter。Notonlydiditseverthemoreeasily；butitsoonlostthecohesionneededforresistinganystrongpull。

Thebear，lurchinghalf-blindly，hadreeledoutintotheopen，belowtheknoll。There，pantingandgrunting，heturnedtoblinkattheoncomingfireandtogethisdirection。Forperhapsahalf-minutehestoodthus；ormadelittlefutilerushesfromsidetoside。AndthisbreathingspacewastakenupbyLadinthegnawingoftherope。

Then，whilethecolliewasstilltoilingoverthehempenmouthfuls，thebearseemedtorecoverhisownwontedcleverness；

andtorealizehiswhereabouts。Straightupthehillockhecharged，towardthelean-to；hissplayfeetdislodginginnumerablesurfacestonesfromtherockysteep；andsendingthembehindhiminaseriesoftinyavalanches。

Lad，oneeyeeveronhisfoe，sawtheonrush。Fiercelyheredoubledhiseffortstobitethroughtherope，beforethebearshouldbeuponhim。Butthetaskwasnotonetobeachievedinahandfulofseconds。

Movingwithaswiftnessamazingforananimalofhisclumsybulk，thebearswarmedupthehillock。Hegainedthesummit；notthreeyardsfromwhereLaddiestruggled。Andthecollieknewtheropewasnotmorethanhalfgnawedthrough。Therewasnofurthertimeforbitingatit。Theenemywasuponhim。

Feardidnotenterthebigdog\'ssoul。Yethegrievedthatthedeath-battleshouldfindhimsopitifullyill-prepared。And，abandoningtheworkofself-release，heflunghimselfraginglyattheadvancingbear。

Then，twothingshappened。Twothings，onneitherofwhichthedogcouldhavecounted。Thebearwaswithinahand\'sbreadthofhim；andwasstillcharging，headlong。Buthelookedneithertorightnortoleft。SeeminglyignorantofLad\'spresence，thehugebrutetorepasthim，almostgrazingthecollieinhisinsanerush；andspedstraightontowardthelakebeyond。

Thatwasoneofthetwounforeseenhappenings。Theotherwasthesnappingoftherottedrope，underthewrenchofLad\'sfuriousleap。

Free，andwiththeseveredrope\'sloopstilldanglinguselesslyfromaroundhisshaggythroat，thedogstoodstaringinblankamazeafterhisformeradversary。Hesawthebearreachthemarginoftheicylakeandplungenosedeepintoitsshelteringwaters。Here，asBruin\'sinstinctorexperiencehadforetold，noforestfirecouldharmhim。HeneedbutwallowthereuntiltheRedTerrorshouldhavesweptpastanduntilthescorchedgroundshouldbeoncemorecoolenoughtowalkon。

Ladturnedagaintowardtheslope。Hewasfree，now，tofollowthewagontracktothemainroadandsohomeward，guidedperhapsbymemory，perhapsbyscent；mostprobablyguidedbythemysticsixthsensewhichhasmorethanonceenabledcolliestofindtheirway，overhundredsofmilesofstrangeterritory，backtotheirhomes。

But，inthepastfewminutes，thefire\'sserpent-likecoursehadtakenanewtwist。Ithadflungvolleysofsparksacrosstheupperreachofgraniterock-wall，andhadigniteddrywoodandbrierontherighthandsideofthetrack。This，farupthemountain，almostattheveryfootoftherock-hillock。

Thewaytohomewasbarredbyathree-foot-highcracklingfenceofred-goldflame；aflamewhichnosedhungrilyagainstthebarrenrocksoftheknoll-foot；asifseekinginravenousfaminethefueltheirbaresurfacesdeniedit。

Andnow，thesideofthehillockshowedothersignsofforestlife。Upthesteepslopethunderedasix-antleredbuck，snortingshrillyinpanicandflyingtowardthecoolrefugeofthelittlelake。

Farmoreslowly，butwitheverytiredmuscleastrain，afatporcupinewasmountingthehill；itsclawsdiggingfranticallyforfootholdamongtheslipperystones。Itseemedtoflow，ratherthantorun。Andasithurriedon，itchuckledandscolded，likesomeidiotchild。

Abevyofsquirrelsscamperedpastit。Alongsnake，rousedfromitsstonywinterlair，writhedeerilyuptheslope，heedlessofitsfellowtravelers\'existence。Araccoonwasbreastingthesteep，fromanotherangle。Andbehinditcameclawingaround-paunchedopossum；grinningfromthepainofsparksthatwerestingingittoahatedactivity。

Thewildernesswasgivingupitssecrets，withavengeance。AndtheRedTerror，asever，wasenforcingatruceamongtheforest-folk；atrucebredofstarkfear。Oneandall——ofthosethathadbeenarousedintimetogetclearoftheoncomingfierysickle——thefugitivesweremakingforthecoolsafetyofthelake。

Ladscarcesawornotedanyofhiscompanions。Theroadtohomewasbarred。And，again，ancestralinstinctandhisownalertwitcametohisaid。Turningabout，andwithnohintoffearinhisgaitorinthesteadydarkeyes，hetrottedtowardthelake。

Alreadythebearhadreacheditssoothingrefuge；andwasstandinghipdeepintheblackwaters；nowandthenduckinghisheadandtossingshowersofcoldsprayoverhisscorchedshoulder-fur。

Ladtrottedtothebrink。There，stooping——notfiftyfeetawayfromBruin——helappedthirstilyuntilhehadatlastdrunkhisfill。Then，lookingbackonceinthedirectionofthefire-line，helaydown，verydaintilyindeed，inshallowwater；andpreparedtoenjoyhisliberty。Scourgedbynoneofthehideousfearwhichhadgoadedhisfellowfugitives，hewatchedwithgraveinterestthearrivalofoneafteranotheroftherefugees；astheycamescurryingwildlydowntothewater。

Ladwascomfortable。Here，thesmoke-reekstunglessacutely。

Here，too，weregratefuldarkness，afterthetorridglareofthefire，andcoldwaterandsecurity。Herewerealsomanydivertingcreaturestowatch。Itwouldhavebeenpleasanttogohomeatonce。But，sincethatwasoutofthequestion，therewerefarworsethingsthantolieinterestedlyateaseuntiltheMastershouldcomeforhim。

Thefireragedandflickeredalongthebaseofthebarerockyknoll；and，findingnopathofadvance，turnedbackonitself，fire-fashion；seekingnewoutlet。Thethinlineofbushesandotherundergrowthatthehillock\'sfootwerequicklyconsumed；

leavingonlyabroadbedofemberandspark。Andtheconflagrationsweptontotheleft，overtheonlycourseopentoit。Totheright，themultipleridgesofrockandthedearthofvegetationweresufficient"NoThoroughfare"enforcement。

Thissameoddrock-formationhadkeptthewagontrackclear，uptothetwistwhereitboretoleftwardatthebaseoftheknoll。

AndtheMistressandtheMasterwereabletoguidetheirrattlinglyprotestingcarinsafetyupthetrailfromthemainroadfarbelow。Thesetofthewindpreventedthemfrombeingblindedorconfusedbysmoke。Apartfromasmartingoftheeyesandarecurrentseriesofheatwaves，theymadetheclimbwithnogreatdiscomfort；——untilthefinalturnbroughtthemtoanabrupthaltatthespotwherethewideswathofredcoalsandflamingashesmarkedtheburningofthehillockfootbushes。

TheMasterjumpedtoearthandstoodconfrontingtheluridstretchofashandemberwith，hereandthere，abushstumpstillcracklingmerrily。Itwasnotasafebarriertocross；thistwenty-foot-widefierystretch。Nor，formanyrodsineitherdirection，wasthereanywayaroundit。

"There\'sonecomfort，"theMasterwassaying，ashebegantoexploreforanopeningintheredscarfofcoals，"thefirehasn\'tgottenuptothecamp-site。He——"

"Butthesmokehas，"saidtheMistress，whohadbeenpeeringvainlythroughthehazecurtaintowardthesummit。"Andsohastheheat。Ifonly——"

Shebrokeoff，withacatchinhersweetvoice。And，scarcerealizingwhatshedid，sheputthesilverwhistletoherlipsandblewapiercinglyloudblast。

"What\'sthatfor？"askedtheMaster，crankily，worryoverhisbeloveddogmakinghisnervesraw。"IfLad\'salive，he\'sfastenedthere。Yousayyousawhimstrugglingtogetloose，thismorning。

Hecan\'tcome，whenhehearsthatwhistle。There\'snosensein——Howinblueblazesheevergotfastenedthere，——ifhereallywas，——ismorethanIcan——"

"Hush！"beggedtheMistress，breakinginonhisgrumbledmonologue。"Listen！"

Outofthedarkness，beyondtheknoll-top，camethesoundofabark，——thecleartrumpetingwelcome-barkwhichLadreservedfortheMistressandtheMaster，alone；ontheirreturnfromanyabsence。

Throughthenightitechoed，gaily，defiantly；againandagain；

ringingoutabovetheobscenehissandcrackleandroaroftheforest-fire。Andateveryrepetition，itwasnearerandnearerthedumfoundedlistenersattheknollfoot。

"It\'s——it\'sLaddie！"criedtheMistress，inwonderingrapture。

"Oh，it\'sLADDIE！"

TheMaster，hearingthegladracket，didathoroughlyasininething。Drawinginhisbreathandholdinghiscoatinfrontofhim，hepreparedtomakeadashthroughthewidesmearofembers，tothehilltop；where，presumably，Ladwasstilltied。But，beforehecouldtakethefirststep，theMistressstayedhim。

"Look！"shecried，pointingtothehithersideoftheknoll；

lividlybrightintheember-glow。

Downthesteepwasgallopingatbreakneckspeedagreat，tawnyshape。Barkingrapturously，——evenashehadbarkedwhenfirstthewhistle\'sblasthadrousedhimfromhislazyreposeinthelakesideshallows，——Ladcamewhizzingtowardthetwohumanswhowatchedsoincredulouslyhiswildapproach。

TheMaster，belatedly，sawthatthecolliecouldnotavoidcrashingintothespreadofembers；andheopenedhismouthtoorderLadback。Buttherewasnottime。

Foronce，thewisedogtooknoheedofeventhesimplestcaution。

Hislostandadoreddeitieshadcalledhimandwereawaitinghim。

ThatwasallLadkneworcared。Theyhadcomebackforhim。Hishorriblevigilandlonelinessandhisdeadlyperilwereended。

Tooinsanelyhappytonotewherehewastreading，hesprangintotheverycenterofthebeltofsmolderingcoals。Histinywhiteforefeet——drenchedwithicywater——didnotremainamongthemlongenoughtofeelpain。IntwomoreboundshehadclearedthebarrierandwasdancingincrazyexcitementaroundtheMistressandtheMaster；pattingatthemwithhisscorchedfeet；lickingtheireagerlycaressinghands；"talking"inadozendifferentkeysofrapture，hiswhimpersandgrowlsandgurglesrunningtheentiregamutoflong-pent-upemotions。

Hiscoatandhisfeethad，forhours，beenimmersedinthecoldwaterofthelake。And，hehadfledthroughtheembersatexpress-trainspeed。Scarceablistermarkedthehazardouspassage。ButLadwouldnothavecaredforalltheblistersandburnsonearth。Hisdeargodshadcomebacktohim，——evenashehadknowntheywould！

Oncemore，——andforthethousandthtime——theyhadjustifiedhisdivineFaithinthem。Nothingelsemattered。

CHAPTERIX。OldDog；NewTricksAmildewedmaximruns:"Youcan\'tteachanolddognewtricks。"

Someproverbslivebecausetheyaretootruetodie。Othersendurebecausetheyhaveasmugsoundandbecausenobodyhasbotheredtoburythem。Theoneaboutolddogsandnewtricksbelongsinbothcategories。Inasenseitistrue。Inanotheritisnot。

Toteachtheaverageelderlydogtositupandbeg，ortorollovertwice，ortodootheroftheasininethingswithwhichhumansstultifythenaturalgoodsenseoftheircaninechums，isashardastoteachasixty-year-oldgrave-diggertobecomeamusicalcomposer。

Butnodogwithafullsetofbrainsiseverpastlearningnewthingswhichareactuallyneedfulforhimtolearn。And，sadtosay，manyanolddog，onhisownaccount，picksupoddnewaccomplishments——exploitswhichwouldneverhaveoccurredtohiminhisearlyprime。Nobodyknowswhy。Butithashappened，numberlesstimes。

AndsoitwaswithSunnybankLad。

Laddiehadpassedhistwelfthbirthday；when，bysomestrangefreak，hebroughthomeonedayalaceparasol。Hehadfounditinthehighroad，onhiswaybacktothePlaceafterasedaterambleintheforest。Now，itwasnothingnewforthegreatcollietofindmissingarticlesbelongingtotheMistressortotheMaster。

Everynowandthenhewouldlayattheirfeetatobaccopouchorahandkerchieforabunchofkeysthathadbeendropped，carelessly，somewhereonthegrounds；andwhichLadrecognized，byscent，asbelongingtooneofthetwohumansheloved。

Thesebitsoftreasuretrove，hedelightedinfindingandrestoring。Yes，and——thoughthosewhohadneverseenhimdothiswerepronetodoubtit——hewascertaintolaytherecoveredobjectatthefeetofwhicheverofthetwohadlostit。Forinstance，itneveroccurredtohimtodropafilmysquareoflace-and-cambricatthemuddiedfeetoftheMaster；orasmellyoldtobacco-pouchattheMistress\'slittlefeet。

Therewasnothingmiraculousaboutthisknowledge。Toahigh-breddog，everyhumanofhisacquaintancehasadistinctivescent；

whichcannotbemistaken。Ladusednooccultpowerinnreturningtotherightfulowneranyarticlehechancedtofindonlawnoronveranda。

Butthelaceparasolwasdifferent。That，presumably，hadfallenfromsomepassingmotor-car。boundforTuxedoorfortheBerkshires。ItdidnotbelongatthePlace。

Ladhappenedtoseeit，lyingthereinthehighway。Andhebroughtit，forthwith，tothehouse；carryingitdaintilybetweenhismightyjaws；andlayingitontheliving-roomfloorinfrontoftheastonishedMistress。Probably，helaiditbeforeher，insteadofbeforetheMaster，becauseshewasthefirstofthetwowhomhehappenedtoencounter。Itisdoubtfulifherealizedthataparasolisapurelyfeminineadjunct；——althoughtheMistressalwaysdeclaredhedid。

Shepickedupthegiftandlookeditoverwithrealadmiration。

Itwasaflimsilybeautifulandcostlything；whoseivoryhandlewasdeftlycarvenandsetwithseveraluncutstones；andwhosedeepfringeoflacewastrueVenetianPoint。

"Why，Laddie！"sheexclaimed，inwonderingdelight。"Whereintheworlddidyougetthis？Look！"shewenton，asherhusbandcameinfromhisstudy。"SeewhatLaddiebroughtme！Isawhimcomingdownthedrivewithsomethinginhismouth。ButIhadnoideawhatitwas。Isn\'titabeauty？Wheredoyousupposehe——？"

"Aslongasmotoristsgoaroundcurvesatfortymilesanhour，"

decidedtheMaster，"solongtheirpiled-upvaluablesarelikelytobejostledoutofthetonneau。Ifoundasatchel，lastweek，atthecurve，upthere，youremember；andahat，theweekbefore。

Whatareyougoingtodoaboutthisthing？"

"Oh，"saidtheMistress，withasighofrenunciation，"Isupposewe\'llhavetoadvertiseit；andwatchthe\'LostandFound\'

columns，too。But——wouldn\'titbegloriousifnobodyshouldseeouradvertisementor——oreveradvertiseforit？It\'ssolovely！I

hatetothinkitmaybelongtosomebodywhocan\'tappreciateitasIdo。"

Now，LaddiehadlivedonthePlaceformanymoreyearsthanhecouldremember。Andhehadspentthebulkofthattimeinstudyingthefacesandthevoicesandthemoodsofthesetwopeoplewhomheworshiped。Moreover，hehadanintelligencethatisnotgiventomostdogs，——eventocollies——andaqueerpsychictwisttohisbrainthathadpuzzledhisownersasmuchasithaddelightedthem:

WatchingtheMistress，now，withhisclassicheadononesideandhisdeep-setdarkeyesfixedonhereagerface，hesawthathisroadwaygifthadmadeherveryhappy。Also，thathercaressinghandonhisheadshowedprideinwhathehaddone。Andthis，asever，thrilledtheolddog，totheverysoul。

Hewaggedhisplumedtail，ingladness，andthrusthisnoseintoherpalmandbeganto"talk"ingleefultreble。TononebuttheMistressandtheMasterwouldLaddeignto"talk。"And，nonelisteningtohimcoulddoubthewastryingtocopythehumanvoiceandhumanmeanings。

"DearoldLaddie！"praisedtheMistress，runningherfingersthroughhislion-likeruff。"GOODLaddie！，Thankyou，eversomuch！Nobodybutavery，VERYwonderfulcollienamedLadcouldhavehadtheperfecttastetopickoutsuchaparasol。Andnowwe\'regoingtohaveawholehandfulofanimalcrackers，forreward。"

Thecrooninglysweetvoice，thepetting，thegiftofanimalcrackersofwhichhewaschildishlyfond——allthesedelightedLadbeyondmeasure。Andtheyconfirmedhiminthebeliefthathehaddonesomethingmostlaudable。

Whathehaddonewastopickupastrayobject，awayfromhome，andbringittotheMistress。Heknewthat。Andthatwasallheknew。But，havingwonhighpraiseforthedeed，heresolvedthenandtheretorepeatit。

Whichprovesthatolddogscanbetaughtnewtricks。Andwhichstartedallthetrouble。

Thatafternoon，theMistressandtheMasterwentforafive-mileramblethroughthewoodsandoverthemountains，backofthePlace。WiththemwentoldLaddie，whopacedgravelybetweenthem。

Withthem，also，wentBruce，themagnificentdarksablecollieofkinglylookanddemeanor；whowassecondonlytoLadinhumantraitsandsecondtonolivinganimalinbeauty。Brucewasglorioustolookupon。Inphysiqueandincharacterhehadnotaflaw。TherewasastrangesweetnesstohisdispositionthatI

havefoundinnootherdog。

WithLadandBruce，onthiswalk，racedLad\'sfierylittlegoldenson，Wolf。

Ofold，Ladhadledsuchruns。Now，advancingageandincreasedweighthadbeguntomakehimcharyofthrowingawayhisfadingenergies。Wherefore，hewalkedbetweenhistwodeities；andletthetwoyoungerdogsdothegallopingandrabbitchasing。

Andhehadhisreward。For，astheynearedthehighroadonthewayhome，WolfandBrucechancedtotreeasquirrel。Thus，Ladwasfirsttoreachtheroadwiththetwohumans。Suddenly，he。

dartedaheadofthem；andsnatchedupfromthewaysidethesomewhatworncaseofathermosbottlewhichhadbeendiscardedthereorhadfallenfromacar-seat。ThisheboretotheMistress；fairlyvibratingwithprideinhisownexploit。

Notinghisjoyinthedeed，shemademuchoftheshabbygift；

praisingandthankingLad，inordinately；andforbearingtothrowawaytheworncaseuntilthecolliewasoutofsight。

Oflate，asLaddiebegantoshowsignsofage，sheandtheMasterhadtakentomakingmoreandmoreofhim；toatoneforhisgrowingfeeblenessandtoanticipatethedarkdaywhicheverydog-ownermustface；——thedaywhenhisvoiceandhiscaresscannolongermeananythingtothepetwhooncerejoicedsoutterlyinthem。

AllofwhichwenttoconfirmLadinthenaturalbeliefthatanythingfoundontheroadandbroughttotheMistresswouldbelookedonwithjoyandwouldearnhimmuchgratitude。So，——asmightahumaninlikecircumstances，——heceasedtocontenthimselfwithpickinguptriflesthatchancedtobelyinginhispath，inthehighway，andfelltosearchingforsuchflotsamandjetsam。

Hebeganthehunt，nextmorning。Pacinggravelyalongthecenteroftheroad，heheadedtowardthemile-distantvillage。Bysheerluck，suchfewautomobilesaschancedalong，atthathour，weredrivenbyfolkwhohadheartenoughtoslowdownortoturnasideforthemajesticallystrollingolddog。Totheendofhislonglife，Ladcouldneverbemadetounderstandthathewasnotentitledtowalkatwillintheexactmiddleoftheroad。Perhapshisloftyassuranceintakingsuchacoursemademotoristscheckspeedtosparehim。

Thismorning，hehadfaredbutahalf-milewhenhesawacardrawnupattheedgeoftheroad，besideashadedbitofturf。

Severalpeoplehadjustdescendedfromit；andweremakingpreparationsforanearlypicniclunch。Oneofthemhadfinisheddepositingabasketontheground，atthesideofthecarfarthestfromthestripofswardwheretheotherswerespreadingasea-rugandsettinganimpromptutable。

Themanputthebasketdownintheroad。Thenhedivedbackintothenetherregionsofthemachineformoreprovender。AndhewasengagedinthisgropingwhenLadcameinview，aroundabend。

Thebigcolliesawthebasketstandingthere，unprotectedand，sofarasheknew，ownerless。Gravelyhesteppedforward，liftedtheheavyreceptaclebythehandleandturnedaboutwithit；stillmovingwithdignifiedslowness。Thetable-setterswerebusy；andthecarwasbetweenhimandthem。

Bythetimetheothermemberofthepartysucceededinfindingthethingshewasseekingundertherearseat，Ladhadroundedthebendandwasoutofsight。Tothisday，noneofthemotoristshastheremotestsolutiontothemysteryofthevanishedlunch。

Ladhadnotstolenthebasket。Hewouldhavesufferedhimselftobecutinthree，beforesinkingtotheftortoanyothersneakingact。Hehadfoundabasketstandingaloneinthehighroad，severalfeetawayfromthenearesthumans。Hehadnowayofguessingitbelongedtothem。Sofarashewasconcerned，thiswasasmuchalostarticleashadbeenthegorgeousparasol。HehadbeenpraisedtotheskiesforbringingtheparasolandthethermoscasetotheMistress。Hehadeveryreasontoexpectthesamemeedofpraiseforthisnewgift。

Indeed，toLad\'swayofthinking，hemightwellhopeforevenhigherpraise。Fortheparasolhadbeenanodorlessandfoolishthingofnoapparentusefulness；whilethisbasketexhaledmostheavenlyscentsoffriedchickenandotherdelectablefoods。