第6章

Heavyaswastheburden，itdidnotoccurtoLadtosetitdown。

Fragrantaswereitscontents，itdidnotoccurtohimtonosethecoveroffandsamplethem。Therewasnotingeofsnoopinginhismake-up。No，thebasketwasagiftfortheMistress。Andassuchhewasbearingithometoher。

"SeewhatLaddiebroughtme，thistime！"criedtheMistress，comingintoherhusband\'sstudy，afewminuteslater，andholdingforththetrophy。"It\'sfulloffood，too；andofcoursehenevertouchedamouthfulofit。ButIgavehimtwoofthefrostedcakes，bywayofreward。He\'sridiculouslyhappyoverthem，——andoverthefussImadeaboutthebasket。"

"H\'m！"musedtheMaster，inspectingthepresent。"Jostledoffthecar-seat，assomefoolofadrivertookthecurveattopspeed！

Well，thatsamedriverhaspaidforhisrecklessness，bythelossofhislunch。It\'sfunny，though——There\'snotatraceofmudordustonthis；andeventhefoodinsidewasn\'tjostledaboutbythetumble。Thatcurveispayingusbigdividends，lately。It\'sapitynobulliontruckspassthisway。Still，parasolsandpicniclunchesaren\'ttobesneeredat。"

Ladwasstandinginthestudydoorway，eyesalight，tailwaving。

TheMastercalledhimoverandpettedhim；praisingthisnewestaccomplishmentofhis，andprophesyinguntoldwealthforthePlaceifthegraftshouldbutcontinuelongenough。

TherewassomethingpatheticindearoldLaddie\'spleasureoverthenewtrickhehadlearned；orsoitseemedtothetwopeoplewholovedhim。Andtheycontinuedtoflatterhimforit；——evenwhen，amongothertrophies，hedraggedhomeapickaxemomentarilylaidasidebyaroadmender；andanextremelydeadchickenwhichamotor-truckwheelhadflattenedtowaferlikethickness。

Whichbringsus，bydegreestotheRennickkidnapingcase。

ClaudeRennick，aNewYorkartistofconsiderablemeans，hadrentedforthesummeranancientColonialfarmhousehighamongtheRamapohills；somesixmilesnorthofthePlace，There，heandhisprettyyoungwifeandtheirsix-months-oldbabyhadbeenlivingforseveralweeks；when，angeredatasharprebukeforsomederelictioninhiswork，Schwartz，theirgardener，spokeinsultinglytoMrs。Rennick。

Rennickchancedtooverhear。Beingaggressivelyinlovewithhiswife，hedidnotcontenthimselfwithdischargingSchwartz。

Instead，hethrashedthestalwartgardener，thenandthere；andendedthedrasticperformancebypitchingthebeatenman，bodily，outofthegrounds。

Schwartzcollectedhisbatteredanatomyandlimpedawaytohishomeinthehillsjustabove。And，thatnight，hecalledintocouncilhistwofarmhandbrothersandhiswife。

Severalcharacteristicplansofrevengewerediscussedinsolemndetail。TheseincludedtheburningoftheRennickhouseorbarn，orboth；theshootingofRennickfromamongthehillsidebouldersastheartistsketched；ofwaylayinghimonhiswalktothepost-office，bynight，andcripplinghimforlife；andothersuggestionsequallydeartotheheartsofruralmalefactors。

Butoneplanafteranotherwasvetoed。ToburnanyofthepropertywouldcauseRennicknothingworsethantemporaryannoyance；ashemerelyrentedthefarm。Daylightshootingwasadangerousanduncertainjob；especiallysinceautomobileshadopenedupthedistricttoconstantlypassingoutsiders。ItwasSchwartzhimselfwhodecidedagainstwaylayinghisfoebynight。

HehadtoorecentmemoriesofRennick\'sphysicalprowesstocareaboutriskingaseconddoseofthesamemedicine。Andsoonwiththeotherproposals。Oneandallwererejected。

ThenitwasthatMrs。Schwartzhituponanideawhichpromisednotonlypunishment，butprofit。ShehaddonewashingfortheRennicksandshehadaccesstothehouse。SheproposedthattheystealtheRennickbaby，onthefirstnightwhenopportunityshouldoffer；carryhimtoacarthebrothersweretohavewaiting；andthencetakehimtohersisterinPaterson。

There，theyoungsterwouldbewellcaredfor。Inafamilyofnotlessthansevenchildren，thepresenceofanextrababywouldnotexcitepolicequery。Hersisterhadmorethanoncetakenbabiestoboardwithher，duringtheirmothers\'temporaryabsenceinserviceorinjail。Andthenewcomercouldpassreadilyasoneofthese。

Negotiationscouldsetin；and，ifcareweretaken，arewardofatleasttwothousanddollarsmightbeextractedsafelyfromthefranticparents。Thus，theRennickscouldbemadetosweatbloodandmoneytoo，inpaymentoftheinjurieswroughtupontheachingframeofSchwartz。Atfirst，thethreemensheeredofffromtheplan。Kidnapingisawordwithanuglysound。Kidnapingisadeedwithuglyconsequences。Kidnapingisacrimewhoseperpetratorscanhopefornoatomofsympathyfromanybody。Kidnapingisperilous，pastwords。

But，deftly，Mrs。Schwartzmetandconqueredthedifficultiesraised。Inthefirstplace，thebabywouldcometonoharm。Hersisterwouldseetothat。Inthesecond，thematteroftherewardandofthereturncouldbejuggledsoastoeludedetectivesandruralconstables。Shehadknownofsuchacase。Andsherelatedthedetails；——cleveryetutterlysimpledetails，andfraughtwithsafetytoallconcerned；——detailswhich，forthatveryreason，neednotbecitedhere。

Bitbybit，shewentonwithheroutlineofthecampaign；testingeachstepandprovingthepracticabilityofeach。

ThenextThursdayevening，Rennickandhiswifewent，asusual，totheweeklymeetingofaneighborhoodbridgeclubwhichtheyhadjoinedforthesummer。Thebabywasleftinchargeofacompetentnurse。Atnineo\'clock，thenursewenttothetelephoneinreplytoacallpurportingtobefromanattendantataNewYorkhospital。

Thiscalloccupiedthebestpartoftwentyminutes。Fortheattendantproceededtotellherinaveryroundaboutwaythathersonhadbeenrunoverandhadcometothehospitalwithabrokenleg。Hedribbledtheinformation；andwasagonizinglylong-windedandvagueinansweringhervolleyoffrightenedquestions。

Shakenbetweendutytoherjobandayearningtocatchthenexttrainfortown，thenursewentbackatlasttothenursery。Thebaby\'scribwasempty。

IthadbeenthesimplestthingintheworldforMrs。Schwartztoenterthehousebytheunfastenedfrontdoor，whileoneofherhusband\'sbrothersheldthenurseintelephonetalk；andtogouptothenursery，unseen，whiletheotherservantswereinthekitchenquarters。Thereshehadpickedupthebabyandhadcarriedhimgentlydowntothefrontdoorandoutofthegrounds。

OneofSchwartz\'sbrotherswaswaiting，beyondthegate；withadisreputablelittlerunabout。Presently，thesecondbrotherjoinedhim。Mrs。Schwartzliftedthebabyintothecar。Oneofthemenhelditwhiletheothertookhisplaceatthesteeringwheel。Therunabouthadstarteduponitsorderlyfourteen-miletriptoPaterson，beforethepanicstrickennursecouldgivethealarm。

Mrs。Schwartzthenwalkedtowardthevillage，whereherhusbandmether。Thetwoproceededtogethertothelocalmotionpicturetheater。There，theylaughedsoloudlyoverthecomedyonthescreenthatthemanagerhadtowarnthemtobequieter。Atonce，thecouplebecamenoisilyabusive。Andtheywereorderedignominiouslyfromthetheater。Therecouldscarcelyhavebeenabetteralibitoprovetheirabsenceofcomplicityinthekidnaping。

Meanwhile，thetwobrotherscontinuedquietlyontheirjourneytowardPaterson。Thebabyslept。Hisbearerhadlaidhimsoftlyonthefloorofthecar。Afewdropsofparegoric，administeredbyMrs。Schwartzasthechildawokeforaninstantonthewaytothegate，insuredsoundslumber。Thejogglingofthecardidnotrousethetinysleeper；ashelaysnuglybetweenthefeetofthemanintowhosecarehehadbeengiven。

Thefirstsixmilesoftheeasyjourneyweresoontraversed。

Then，withapopandadispiritedlyswishingsound，areartirecollapsed。Outintotheroadjumpedbothmen。Theirnerveswerenonetoosteady。And，already，infancytheycouldhearallthepolicecarsinNewJerseycloseattheirheels。Itbehoovedthemtochangetiresinahurry，andtofinishtheirnerve-twistingtrip。

Thedrivervaultedoverthesidenearesthimandbegantoexploretheunder-seatregionsforajack。Theothermanpickedupthebabyandhurriedtotherearoftherunabouttodetachthesparetirefromitsdustyrack。Manifestly，hecouldnotunstrapthetirewhilehewascarryingababyinhisarms。Sohesetdownhisburdenattheroadside，nearhim。

Then，stillobsessedbyfearofpursuit，hehitonasaferscheme。Pickingupthesleeperagain，hecarriedthewarmlittlebundletothefarsideoftheroad，somethirtyyardsbeyond，anddepositeditthere，behindadwarfalderbushwhichscreeneditfromanystrayautomobilistwhomightbepassing。Thus，incaseofpursuit，heandhisbrotherwouldmerelybechangingtires；

andwouldknownothingofanymissingbaby。

Failingtofindajackundertheseat，thedriverclimbedoverintotheadjoiningfieldinsearchoftwoorthreebigstonestoservethesamepurposeinholdinguptheaxle。Forseveralminutesthemenworkedfastandtensely；blindanddeaftoanythingexcepttheneedofhaste。

Thusitwasthatneitherofthemsawatawny-and-snowcollie，——hugeandshaggyexceptforapairofabsurdlytinywhiteforepaws，——comepacingmajesticallyalongtheroadfromthedirectioninwhichtheywereheading。ThecarlampsplayedbutfaintlyupontheadvancingLad；forthedimmershadbeenapplied。

Thebigdogwastakinghisusualbefore-bedtimestroll。Ofold，thateveningstrollhadbeenconfinedtothePlace\'sgrounds，aquarter-milebeyond。But，lately，hisnewobsessionforfindingtreasuresfortheMistresshadluredhimoftenandoftenertothehighway。

Tonight，asforadayorsopast，hehaddrawnblankinhisquest。Theroadhadbeendistressinglybareofanythingworthcarryinghome。But，now，ashemovedalong，hisnear-sightedeyeswereattractedbyadimblurofwhite，behindabush，attheroad-edge；justwithinthedimradianceofthecar-lamps。Evensoonerthanhesawthis，hiskeennostrilshadtoldhimofhumanpresencethere。Heshiftedhiscoursetoinvestigate。

Standingoverthecompactly-fastenedswathingofclothes，Laddiebentdownandsniffed。Itwasahuman。Heknewthat；inspiteofthethickveilthatcoveredtheslumberer\'sface。Butitwasalsoabundle。ItwasabundlewhichmightwellbeexpectedtodelighttheMistressalmostasmuchashadtheparasol；——farmorethanhadthedefunctchicken。

Daintily，withinfinitegentleness，Ladfixedhisteethintheloosestportionofthebundlethathecouldfind；andliftedit。

Itwasamazinglyheavy，evenforsopowerfuladog。ButdifficultieshadneveryetswervedLadfromanysetpurpose。

Bracinghisstrength，heturnedhomeward，carryingtheburdenbetweenhismightyjaws。

Andnow，hewasawareofsomesubtlerfeelingthanmeredesiretobringtheMistressonemoregift。Hisgreathearthadevergoneoutinlovingtendernesstowardeverythinghelplessandlittle。

Headoredchildren。Theroughestofthemcouldtakeunpardonablelibertieswithhim。Hewouldletthemmaulandmistreathimtotheirheart\'scontent；andhereveledinsuchusage；althoughtohumansotherthantheMistressandtheMaster，hewassternlyresentfulofanyfamiliarity。

Hissensestoldhimthisbundlecontainedachild；——ababy。Ithadbeenlyingaloneanddefenselessbesidetheroad。Hehadfoundit。Andhisheartwarmedtothehelplesslittlecreaturewhichwassoheavytocarry。

Proudly，now，hestrodealong；hismusclestensed；movingasifonparade。Thebundleswingingfromhisjawswascarriedaslovinglyasthoughitmightbreakinsixtypiecesatanycarelessstep。

Thesparetirewasadjusted。Themenglancednervouslyupanddowntheroad。Nocarorpedestrianwasinsight。Thedriverscrambledtohisplaceatthewheel。Hisbrothercrossedtothealderbushbehindwhoseshelterhehadleftthebaby。Backhecame，ontherun。

"\'Tain\'tthere！"heblithered。"\'Tain\'tthere！\'Tain\'trollednowheres，neither。It\'sbeentook！Lord！What\'rewegoin\'to——？"

Hegotnofurther。Hisbrotherhadscrambleddownfromtheseat；

andpushedhimaside，inadashforthealder。Butafewsecondsoffranticsearchprovedthebabywasgone。Thetwomenglaredateachotherinsilenthorror。Thenbytacitimpulsetheygotintothecar。

"Itcouldn\'t\'a\'walkedoff，couldit？"gurgledthedriver。"Theycan\'twalk，canthey；——notatsixmonths？Notfar，anyhow？"

"It——itwastook！"sputteredhisbrotherbetweenchatteringteeth。

Anothermomentofscaredsilence。Thenthedriverralliedhisawedfaculties。Steppingontheself-starter，hebroughttherunaboutintomotion，andheadeddowntheroad。

"Whereareyougoin\'？"queriedtheother。"Nousea-keepin\'on，thisd\'rection。It——"

"Ifitwastook，"answeredthedriver，truculently，"\'twasn\'ttookbynocar。We\'d\'a\'heardacarorwe\'d\'a\'sawit。Ifithadbeentookbytwoorthreefolksa-walkin\'，we\'d\'a\'heard\'emblattoeachotherwhentheyseenthekidlayin\'there。Thatmeansitwastookbyoneperson，allalone。Hedidn\'tpassus，whilewewasworkin\'。Then，unlesshe\'stooktothefields，he\'sa-goin\'thesamewayweare。An\'we\'reduetooverhaulhim。

There\'llonlyjustbeoneofhim；andthere\'stwoofus。Iain\'taimin\'tolosemysliceofthattwothousand；withouthittin\'asinglelicktogetit。Ifhe——SUFFERIN\'PINKSNAKES！"

Inhissuddendismay，hedrovedownbothfeetonthepedals。Theindignantcarstalled。Throughtheblacknessahead，thewhiterayfromthelampshadpickedupaweirdobject。Andthetwobrethrenstaredatit，slack-jawed。

Walkingsedatelyon，infrontofthestalledrunabout，andintheexactcentreofthedustyroad，movedananimal。Hugeandformlessitbulked，asitrecededintothefainterglowoflight。

Itmighthavebeenanythingfromaliontoabear；inthatuncertainglimmer。But，thelamps\'raysplayedstronglyenoughononedetailoftheapparitiontoidentifyit，pastdoubt，toboththedumfoundedonlookers。Theysaw，clearlyenough，awhitebundlesuspendedfromthemonster\'sjaws；——unquestionablythebundlewhichhadbeenlaidbehindthealder。

Forperhapstensecondsthemensatmoveless，gapinggoggle-eyed。

Then，thedrivermurmuredinafarawayvoice:

"Didyou——didyou——wasyoufoolenoughtothinkyouseenanything？Wasyou，Eitel？"

"I-IsureseenSUTHIN\'，Roodie，"quaveredEitel。"Suthin\'

with——withthekidinitsmouth。It——"

"That\'sgoodenoughforme！"announcedtheheroicRoodie，stampingagainontheself-starter。

"Ifwebothseenit，thenitwasTHERE。AndI\'mgoin\'afterit。"

Inanotherbraceofsecondsthelightsonce，morepickedupthedarkanimalwithitswhitebundle。Eitelshrankbackinhisseat。

ButRoodieputonanothernotchofgas。And，comingcloser，bothrecognizedthestrangebundle-carrierasadark-huedcolliedog。

Theidentificationdidlittletoeasetheirfeelingofincredulousmystification。Butitbanishedtheirsuperstitiousdread。Bothofthemwereusedtodogs。Andthoughneithercouldguesshowthisparticulardoghappenedtobestealingthetwice-stolenbaby，yetneitherhadtheremotestfearoftacklingthebeastandrescuingitshumanplunder。

Roodiebroughttheabusedrunabouttoanotherjerkystopwithinafewinchesoftheunconcernedcollie。AndheandEitelswarmedearthwardfromoppositesidesofthemachine。Inatrice，RoodiehadstruckLadoverthehead；whileEitelgrabbedatthebundletodragitawayfromthedog。

Now，theweightofyearswasbeginningtotellonLaddie。Butthatweighthadnotrobbedhimoftheabilitytocall，atwill，uponmuchofhisoldtimestrengthandbewilderingswiftness。Norhaditinanywaydampenedhishero-spiritordulledhisuncannilywisebrain。

Hehadbeenploddingpeacefullyalong，bearinghomeawonderfulgift——agiftoftenerconfidedtothecareofstorksthanofcollies——whenhehadbeenattackedfromtwosidesinmostunprovokedfashion。Hehadbeenstruck！Hisbloodsurgedhot。

TherewasnoLawgoverningsuchacase。So，asusualinnewcrises，LadproceededtomakehisownLawandtoputitintoeffect。

AdeftturnoftheheadeludedEitel\'ssnatchinghand。Withthelightnessofafeather，Laddepositedthebundleinthesoftdustoftheroad。Inpractically，thesamegesture，thedog\'scurvingeye-toothslashedEitel\'soutstretchedwristtothebone。

Then，staggeringunderasecondhead-blowfromRoodie，thecolliewheeledwithlightning-swiftfuryuponthismorehostileofhistwoassailants。

Hurlinghimselfattheman\'sthroat，insilentferocity，hewell-nighturnedthenocturnalbattleintoakilling。ButRoodie\'sleftarm，byinstinct，flewuptoguardhisthreatenedjugular。

Throughcoatandshirtandskinandflesh，——asinthecaseofLady\'sslayer，——thegreatdog\'steethclovetheirway；theirrendingsnapcheckedonlybytheboneoftheforearm。Theimpetusofhiseighty-poundbodysentthemancleanoffhisbalance。Andtogetherthetwocrashedbackwardtotheground。

Ladwasnotofthebulldogbreedwhichseeksandgainsaholdandthenhangsontoitwithlockedjaws。Acolliefightswithbrainasmuchaswithteeth。BythetimeheandRoodiestrucktheearth，Ladtorefreefromtheunlovingembraceandwhizzedabouttofacethesecondofhisfoes。

Eitelhadtakenadvantageofthemoment\'srespitetoseizewithhisuninjuredhandhisslashedwrist。Then，onsecondthought，hereleasedthewoundedwristandbentoverthebaby；withaviewtopickinghimupandregainingthecomparativesafetyofthecar\'sfloor。Buthiswell-devisedmaneuverwasnotcarriedout。

For，asheleanedoverthebundle，extendinghishandstopickitup，Lad\'steethdrovefiercelyintothesectionofEitel\'splumpanatomywhichchancedtobepresentedtohimbythestoopingdownofthekidnaper。Deepclovehissharpfangs。NordidEitelSchwartzsitdownagainwithanydegreeofcomfortformanyalongday，Withresoundinghowlsofpain，Eitelthrashedupanddowntheroad；endeavoringtoshakeoffthisrearattack。Thenoiseawakenedthebaby；whoaddedhiswailstothedin。Roodiegotdizzilytohisfeet；hisleftforearmuselessandanguishedfromthetearingofitsmuscles:

"Shutup！"hebellowed。"\'youwanttobringthewholecountydownonus？We——"

Heceasedspeaking；andlurchedatfullspeedtothecarandtothetopofitssingleseat。For，atsoundofhisvoice，LadhadloosedhisgriponthescreechingEitelandwhirledaboutonthisearlieradversary。

Themanreachedthecar-seatandslammedthedoorbehindhim，perhapsasixthofasecondtoosoonforLadtoreachhim。

Eitel，warnedbyhisbrother\'sbawledcommand，madearushfortheothersideofthemachineandclamberedup。HewasatriflelessfortunatethanhadbeenRoodie，inmakingthisascent。ForLad\'sflashingjawsgrazedhisankleandcarriedawayinthatsnapasampleofEitel\'sbesttown-goingtrousers。

Thus，ontheseatofthecar，swaying，andclutchingateachother，crouchedthetwosore-woundedbrethren；whileLadravenedaboutthevehicle，springingupwardnowand，againinfutileefforttoclearthetopofthecloseddoor。

Fardowntheroadshonethelightsofanapproachingmotor。Eiteldroppedintothedrivingseatandsettherunaboutintomotion。

Oncemore，thedreadofpursuitandofcaptureandofprisondancedhideouslybeforehisfrightenedmentalvision。

Barelymissingthecryingbaby，astherunaboutjerkedforward，hemadeafruitlessattempttorundowntheragingcollie。Thenheaddressedhimselftothebusinessofgettinghimselfandhisbrotherasfaroutofthewayaspossible，beforetheoncomingcarshouldreachthesceneofstrife。

Asamatteroffact，theothercarneverreachedthisspot。Itsoccupantsweretwoyouthsandtwodamsels，insearchofasequesteredspaceofroadwheretheymighthaltforabriefbutdelectable"pettingparty，"ontheirwaytoadanceinthevillage。Theyfoundsuchaspace，aboutafurlongonthethithersideofthecurvewheretherunabouthadstopped。Andtheyadvancednofarther。

Lad，forafewrods，gavechasetotheretreatingSchwartzes。

Then，theheavyexertionsofthepastminuteortwobegantoexacttollonhisagingbody。Also，thebabywasstillwhimperinginadrowsymonotone，astheparegoricsoughttorenewitsswayontheracketawakenedbrain。

Thedogturnedpantinglybacktothebundle；paweditsoftly，asthoughtomakesurethecontentswerenotharmed；thenoncemorepickeditupgingerlybetweenhisreddenedjaws；andcontinuedhissedatehomewardjourney。

TheMistressandtheMaster。weresittingontheveranda。Itwasalmostbedtime。TheMasterarose，tobeginhisnightlytaskoflockingthelowerwindows。Fromsomewhereonthehighroadthatlaytwohundredyardsdistantfromthehouse，cametheconfusednoiseofshouts。Then，ashelistened，thefar-offsoundsceased。

Hewentonwithhistaskoflockingup；andreturnedinaminuteortwototheveranda。

Ashedidso，Ladcamewalkingslowlyuptheporchsteps。Inhismouthhecarriedsomethinglargeandwhiteanddusty。ThisheproceededtodepositwithmuchcareatthefeetoftheMistress。

Thenhestoodback；tailwaving，darkeyesmischievouslyexpectant。

"Anotherdividendfromthecurve！"laughedtheMaster。"Whatisit，thistime？Apillowor——？"

Hebrokeoffinthemiddleofhisamusedquery。For，evenasheturnedhisflashlightonthedustyandblood-streakedbundle，thebabybeganoncemoretocry。

Thelocalchiefofpolice，inthevillageacrossthelake，wasmakingreadyforbed，whenatelephonesummonsbroughthimbacktohislowerhallway。

"Hello！"cametheMaster\'shail，overthewire。"Chief，hastherebeenanyalarmsentoutfor——foramissingbaby？"

"Baby？"echoedtheChief。"No。Haveyoulostone？"

"No。I\'vefoundone。Atleast，Laddiehas。He\'sjustbroughtithome。Itisdressedinunusuallycostlythings，mywifesays。

Therewasawhitebaby-blanketstrappedaroundit。Andtherearedustandstreaksoffreshbloodontheblanket。Butthebabyhimselfisn\'thurtatall。And——"

"I\'llbeoverthere，infifteenminutes，"saidtheChief，alivewithprofessionalinterest。

Butintenminuteshewasonthewireoncemore。

"Hasthebabyblanketgotthemonogram，\'B。R。R\'，ononecorner？"

heaskedexcitedly。

"Yes，"answeredtheMaster。"Iwasgoingtotellyouthat，whenyouhungup。Andon——"

"That\'stheone！"fairlyshoutedtheChief。"Assoonasyoufinishedtalkingtome，Igotanothercall。Generalalarmoutforakidnapedbaby。BelongstothoseRennickpeople，uptheValley。

TheartiststhatrentedtheoldBeasleyplacethissummer。Thebabywasstolen，anhourago；rightoutofthenursery。I\'llphone\'emthathe\'sfound；andthenI\'llbeover。"

"Allright。There\'sanotherqueerpointaboutallthis。Ourdog——"

"Speakingofdogs，"wentonthegarrulousChief，"thisisawakefuleveningforme。Ijustgotacallfromthedrugstorethatacoupleoffellowshavestoppedtheretogetpatchedupfromdog-bites。Theysayadozenstraycursseton\'em，whiletheywerechangingatire。Thedruggistthoughttheyactedqueer，contradictingeachotherinbitsoftheirstory。Sohe\'stakinghistime，fixingthem；tillIcandropinonmywaytoyourhouseandgive\'emtheonceover。So——"

"Domorethanthat！"decreedtheMaster，onquickinspiration。

"WhatIstartedtotellyouisthatthere\'sbloodonLad\'sjaws；

aswellasonthebaby\'sblanket。Iftwomensaythey\'vebeenbittenbydogs——"

"Igetyou！"yelledtheother。"Good-by！Igotnotimetowaste，whenaclewlikethatisshakeninfrontofme。Seeyoulater！"

LongbeforetheChiefarrivedatthePlacewithtriumphanttidingsofhissuccessin"sweating"thetruthfromthemangledandnerve-rackedSchwartzes，thetwootheractorsintheevening\'sdramaweremilesawayamongthesunfleckedshadowsofDreamland。

Thebaby，industriouslyandunsanitarilysuckingonepudgythumb，wascuddleddowntosleepintheMistress\'slap。And，inthedepthsofhiscaveundertheliving-roompiano，Ladwasstretchedatperfectease；histinywhiteforepawsstraightinfrontofhim。

Buthisdeepbreathingwasinterrupted，nowandthen，byamutteredsigh。For，atlast，oneofhisbeautifulpresentshadfailedtocausehappinessandpraisefromhisgods。Instead，ithadapparentlyturnedthewholehouseholdinsideout；tojudgebythenoisyexcitementandthetelephoningandall。And，eveninsleep，theolddogfeltjustlychagrinedatthewayhisloveliestpresenttotheMistresshadbeenreceived。

Itwassohardtofindoutwhathumanswouldenjoyandwhattheywouldn\'t！

CHAPTERX。TheIntrudersItbeganwithagapinalinefence。Thegapshouldneverhavebeenthere。For，onthefarsideofitroamedcreatureswhosechiefzestinlifeisthefindingofsuchgapsandinbreakingthroughforforage。

ThePlace\'sacreageended，tonorthward，inthecenterofanoakgrovewhosenorthernhalfwasownedbyoneTitusRomaine；acrabbedlittlefarmeroftheoldschool。Intohishalfofthegrove，inautumnwhenmastlaythickandrichamidthetawnydeadleaves，Romainewaswonttoturnhisherdofswine。

ToLad，thegiantcollie，thiswasalwaysatryingseason。Forlongerthanhecouldremember，LadhadbeentheofficialwatchdogofthePlace。Andhischiefdutiesweretokeeptwo-footedandfour-footedstraysfromtrespassingthereon。

Toaninch，heknewtheboundariesoftheMaster\'sland。Andheknewthatnohumanintruderwastobemolested；solongassuchintruderhadthesensetowalkstraightdownthedrivewaytothehouse。Butwoetothetramporothertrespasserwhochancedtocomecrosslotsortowanderinanywayoffthedrive！Woealsotosuchoccasionalcattleorotherlivestockasdriftedinfromtheroadorbywayofacasualfence-gap！

Humaninvadersweretobemetindrasticfashion。Quadrupedtrespassersweretoberoundedupandsweptatagallopupthedriveandoutintothehighroad。Withcattleorwithstrayhorsesthiswasaneasyjob；。anditcontained，withal，muchfun；——atleast，forLad。

But，pigsweredifferent。

ExperienceandinstincthadtaughtLadwhatfewhumansrealize。

Namely，thatofallcreatedbeasts，thepigistheworstandmeanestandmostvicious；andhardesttodrive。Whenahorseoracow，oradroveofthem，wanderedintotheconfinesofthePlace，itwassimpleandjoyoustoheadthemoff，turnthem，setthemintoagallopandsendthemontheirjourneyattopspeed。Ittooklittleskillandlesstroubletodothis。Besides，itwasgorgeoussport。Butpigs——！

Whenaporkerwriggledandhunchedandnosedaspaceinthelinefence，andslitheredgreasilythrough，Lad\'sworkwascutoutforhim。Itlookedsimpleenough。Butitwasnotsimple。Norwasitsafe。

Inthefirstinstance，pigswerehardtostartrunning。Oftenerthannottheywouldstand，braced，andglareattheoncomingcolliefromouttheirevillittlered-rimmedeyes；thesnoutsabovethehideousmaskedtushesquiveringavidly。ThatmeantLadmustcirclethem，atwhirlwindspeed；barkingathunderousfanfaretoconfusethem；andwatchinghischancetoflashinandnipearorflank；orotherwisegetthebrutestorunning。

And，evenontherun，theyhadanuglywayofwheeling，atclosequarters，tofacethepursuer。Therazortushesandtheprongedforefeetwerealwaysready，atsuchtimes，towreakdeathonthedog，unlessheshouldhavethewitandtheskillandthespeedtochange，inabreath，thedirectionofhisdash。No，pigswerenotpleasanttrespassers。Therewasnofuninroutingthem。Andtherewasrealdanger。

Exceptbydintofswiftnessandofbrain；aneighty-poundcolliehasnochanceagainstasix-hundred-poundpig。Thepig\'shide，foronething，istoothicktopiercewithanaverageslashornip:Andthepigistooclosetoearthandtoowell-balancedbybuildandweight，tobeoverturned:Andthetushesandforefeetcanmovewithdeceptivequickness。Also，backofthered-rimmedlittleeyesflickerstheredderspiritofmurder。

Locomotiveengineerssayacowonatrack。isfarlessperiloustoanoncomingtrainthanisapig。Theformercanbelifted，bytheimpact，andflungtooneside。Apig，oftenerthannot，derailstheengine。Standingwiththebulkofitsweightclosetotheground，itiswell-nighasbadanobstacletotrainsaswouldbeaboulderofthesamesize。Ladhadnevermetanyengineers。

Buthehadidenticallytheiropinionofpigs。

Inallhislonglife，thegreatcolliehadneverknownfear。Atleast，heneverhadyieldedtoit。Wherefore，intheautumns，hehadattackedwithgayzestsuchofTitusRomaine\'sswineashadfoundtheirwaythroughthefence。

But，nowadays，therewaslittleenoughofgayzestaboutanythingLaddiedid。Forhewasold；——very，veryold。Hehadpassedthefourteenthmilestone。Inotherwords，hewasasoldforadogasisanoctogenarianforaman。

Almostimperceptibly，buttohisindignantannoyance，agehadcreptuponthebigdog；graduallyblurringhislongcleanlines；

silveringhismuzzleandeyebrows；fleckinghisburnishedmahoganycoatwithstipplesofsilver；spreadingtogreatersizetheabsurdlysmallwhiteforepawswhichwerehisonegrossvanity；dullingalittlethepreternaturallykeenhearingandnarrowingthevision。

Yes，Ladwasold。Andhewasabitunwieldyfromweightandfromage。NolongercouldheleadWolfandBruceintheforestrabbitchases。Whereforehestayedathome，forthemostpartandseldomstrayedfarfromtheMistressandtheMasterwhomheworshiped。

Moreover，hedeputedthebulkoftrespass-repellingtohisfierylittleson，Wolf；andtothegraverandsweeterBruce；——"Bruce，theBeautiful。"

Whichbringsusbyneedfullyprosydegreestoamorning，whentwomarauderscametothePlaceatthesametime，ifbydifferentroutes。Theycouldnotwellhavecomeatamorepropitioustime，forthemselves；norataworsetimeforthosewhosedomaintheyvisited。

BruceandWolfhadtrottedidlyofftotheforest，backofthePlace，foradesultoryrambleinquestofrabbitsorsquirrels。

Thistheyhaddonebecausetheywerebored。For，theMistressandtheMasterhaddrivenoverforthemorningmail；andLadhadgonewiththem，asusual。Haditbeennight，insteadofmorning，neitherWolfnorBrucewouldhavestirredastepfromthegrounds。Forbothweretrainedwatchdogs，But，thusearlyintheday，neitherdutynorcompanionshipheldthemathome。Andtheautumnwoodspromisedahalf-hourofmildsport。

Thesuperintendentandhishelperswereinthedistant"upperfield，"workingaroundtherootsofsomeyoungfruittrees。Butforthemaids，busyindoors，thePlacewasdesertedofhumanorcaninelife。

Thus，luckwaswiththetwointruders。

Throughthefence-gapintheoak-grove，boredTitusRomaine\'shugestandoldestandcrankiestsow。Shewasinsearchofacornsandofanyotherfoodthatmightliehandytoherlineofmarch。

Inherowner\'spartofthegrove，therewastoomuchcompetition，inthefood-hunt，fromotherandequallygreedypigsoftheherd。

Theseshecouldfightoffanddrivefromthechoicestacorn-hoards。Butitwaseasiertoforagewithoutcompetition。

Sothroughthegapsheforcedhergruntingbulk；andonthroughthePlace\'shalfoftheoak-grove。Pausingnowandthentorootamidthestrewnleaves，shemadeherleisurelywaytowardtheopenlawnwithitstwo-hundred-year-oldshade-oaks，anditsflower-borderswhichstillheldafewtoothsomebulbs。

Thesecondintruderenteredthegroundsinmuchmoreopenfashion。Hewasamaninthelatetwenties；well-setup，neatly，evensprucely，dressed；andhewalkedwithaslightswagger。Helookedverymuchathomeandverycertainofhiswelcome。

Acasualstudentofhumannaturewouldhaveguessedhimtobeatravelingsalesman，finelyequippedwithnerveandwithconfidenceinhisowngoods。Theaverageservantwouldhavebeenvastlyimpressedwithhisairofselfassurance；andwouldhaveadmittedhimtothehouse，withoutquestion。(Thelong-memoriedwardenofAuburnPrisonwouldhaverecognizedhimasAlfDugan，oneofthecleverestautomobilethievesintheEast。)

Mr。Duganwasanindustriousyoungman；aswellasingenious。Andhehadastreakofquick-wittedaudacitywhichmadehimanornamenttohischosenprofession。Hismethodofworkwassimple。

Comingtoaruralneighborhood，hewouldstopatsomelocalhotel，and，armedwithcleverpatterandasheafofautomobileinsurancedocuments，wouldmaketheroundsoftheregion\'sbetter-classhomes。

Atthesehesoldnoautomobileinsurance；thoughhemadeseeminglyearnesteffortstodoso。Buthelearnedthepreciselocationofeachgarage；thecarstherein；andtheeasiestwaytothehighroad，andanypossibleobstaclestoahastyflightthereto。Usually，hesucceededinpersuadinghisreluctanthosttotakehimtothegaragetolookatthecarsandtoestimatetheinsurablevalueofeach。Whilethere，itwaseasytopalmakeyortogetagoodlookatthegaragepadlockforfutureskeleton-keyreference；ortonotewhatsortofcar-lockswereused。

Anightortwolater，thegaragewasenteredandthebestcarwasstolen。Dugan，likelove，laughedatlocksmiths。

Sometimes，——notablyinplaceswheredogswerekept，——hewouldmakehisinitialvisitandthen，choosingatimewhenhehadseensomeofthehouse\'soccupantsgoforawalkwiththeirdogs，wouldenterbybroaddaylight，andtakeachanceatgettingthecarout，unobserved。Ifhewereinterruptedbeforestartingoffinthemachine，why，hewasthatsamepoliteinsuranceauntwhohadcomebacktorevisehisestimateonthepremiumneededforthecar；andwastakinganotherlookatittomakecertain。Onceinthedriver\'sseatandwiththeenginegoing，hehadnofearofcapture。Awhizzingrushtothehighroadanddownittothepointwherehisconfederatewaitedwiththenewnumber-plates；andhecouldsnaphisfatfingersatpursuit。

DuganhadcalledatthePlace，aweekearlier。Hehadtakeninterestednoteofthelittlegarage\'stwocarsandoftheunlockedgaragedoors。Hehadtakenlessapprovingnoteofthethreeguardiancollies:Lad，stillmagnificentandformidable，inspiteofhisweightofyears；——Bruce，gloriouslybeautifulandstatelyandaloof；——youngWolf，withthefireandfierceagilityofatiger-cat。Allthreehadwatchedhim，grimly。Nonehadofferedtheslightestmovetomakefriendswiththesmooth-spokenvisitor。Dogshaveaqueerlyoccultsixthsense，sometimes，inregardtothosewhomeanilltotheirmasters。

Thismorning，idlingalongthehighroad，afurlongfromthePlace\'sstonegateway，DuganhadseentheMistressandtheMasterdrivepastinthesmallerofthetwocars。HehadseenLadwiththem。Alittlelater，hehadseenthemencrosstheroadtowardtheupperfield。Then，almostonthemen\'sheels，hehadseenBruceandWolfcanteracrossthesameroad；headedfortheforest。AndDugan\'scorrectlystolidfacerippledintoapleasedsmile。

Quickeninghispace，hehurriedontothegatewayanddownthedrive。But，ashepassedthehouseonhiswaytothegaragewherestoodtheotherandlargercar，hepaused。Outofanever-vigilanteye-corner，hesawanautomobileturninatthegateway，twohundredyardsupthewoodedslope；andstartdownthedrive。

TheMistressandtheMasterwerereturningfromthepostoffice。

Dugan\'ssmilevanished。Hestoppedinhistracks；anddidsomefastthinking。Then，mountingtheverandasteps，heknockedboldlyatasidedoor；thedoornearesttohim。Asthemaidswereinthekitchenormakingupthebedrooms，hisknockwasunheard。

Halfhiddenbytheverandavines，hewaited。

ThecarcamedownthedrivewayandcircledthehousetothesidefarthestfromDugan。There，atthefrontdoor，ithalted。TheMistressandLadgotout。TheMasterdidnotgodowntothegarage。Instead，hecircledthehouseagain；andchuggedoffupthedrive；boundforthestationtomeetaguestwhosetrainwasdueinanothertenminutes。Dugandrewalongbreath；andswaggeredtowardthegarage。Hiswalkandmannerhadinthemaneasyopennessthatnohonestman\'scouldpossiblyhaveacquiredinalifetime。

TheMistress，depositedatthefrontveranda，chirpedtoLad；andstartedacrossthelawntowardthechrysanthemumbed，ahundredfeetaway。

Thesummer\'sflowersweregone——eventothelatestthinstemmedTeplitzroseandthelaststalkofrose-tintedcosmos。Fordiningtable，now，andforliving-roomandguestrooms，nothingwasleftbutthemauveandbronzehardychrysanthemumswhichmadegaytheflowerborderatthecrestofthelawnoverlookingthelake。

ThitherfaredtheMistress，insearchofblossoms。

Betweenherandthechrysanthemumborderwasabedofcanvas。

Frosthadsmittenthetall，darkstems；leavingonlyacopseofbrownstalks。Outofthiscopse，chewinggreedilyatanuprootedbunchofcanna-bulbs，slouchedRomaine\'swanderingsow。At，sightoftheMistress，shepausedinherleisurelyprogressand，withthebunchofbulbsstillhangingfromonecornerofhershark-mouth，stoodblinkingtruculentlyattheastonishedwoman。

Now，LadhadnotobeyedtheMistress\'ssoftchirp。Ithadnotreachedhisdullingears；——theearswhich，ofold，hadcaughtherfaintestwhisper。Yet，hewouldhavefollowedher，asever，withoutsuchsummons，hadnothisnostrilssuddenlybecomeawareofanalienscent。

Lad\'ssenseofsmell，likehishearing，wasfarlesskeenthanonceithadbeen。But，itwasstillstrongenoughtoregisterthetraceofintruders。Hishacklesbristled。Upwenttheclassicallysplendidhead，tosniffthelightbreeze，forfurtherinformationastothereekofpigandthelighterbutmoredisquietingscentofman。

Turninghishead，toreinforcewithhisnear-sightedeyesthefailingevidenceofhisnostrils，hesawthesowemergefromthecanna-clump。Hesaw，too——orhedivined——thelookinherpalelittlered-rimmedeyes；astheyglareddefiantlyattheMistress。

AndLadclearedtheporchstepsatonelongleap。

Fortheinstant，heforgothewasagedandstoutandthathisjointsachedatanysuddenmotion；andthathiswindandhisheartwerenotwhattheyhadbeen；——andthathisonce-terriblefangswereyellowedandblunt；andthathisprimalvulnerablespot，(asLadknew)inherbristlingpigskinarmor。

Ladgothisgrip。And，withallhisfragileoldstrength，hehungon；grindingtheoutwornfangsfurtherandfurtherintothesensitivenoseofhissquealingfoe。

Thisstoppedthesow\'simpetuouscharge；forgoodandall。Withaheavycolliehangingtoone\'storturednoseandthatcollie\'steethsunkdeepintoit，thereisnoscopeforthinkingofanyotheropponent。Shehalted，strikingfuriously，withhersharpclovenfore-hoofs，atthewrithingdogbeneathher。

OneferociouslydrivinghoofcutagashinLad\'schest。Anothertoretheskinfromhisshoulder。Unheeding，hehungon。Thesowbracedherself，solid，onoutspreadlegs；andshookherheadandforequarterswithallhermuscularmight。

Ladwashurledfree，hisweakenedjawsfailingtowithstandsuchayank。Overandoverherolled，tooneside；thesowchargingafterhim。ShehadlostallinterestinattackingtheMistress。

Herflaminglittlebrainnowheldnothoughtexcepttokillandmanglethedogthathadhurthersnoutsocruelly。Andsherushedathim，thetushesglintingfromunderherupcurledandbleedinglips。

But，thecollie，forallhisyearsandunwieldiness，wasstillacollie。And，bythetimehestoppedrolling，hewasscramblingtohisfeet。Shrinkingquicklytooneside，asthesowboredownuponhim，heeludedherrush，bythefractionofaninch；andmadeawolflikeslashforherunderbody，asshehurtledby。

Thebluntedeyetoothmadebutasuperficialfurrow；whichservedonlytomaddenitsvictimstillfurther。Wheeling，shereturnedtotheattack。Again，withaghostofhisoldelusivespeed；

Laddieavoidedherrush，bythenarrowestofmargins；and，snappingfuriously，caughtherbytheear。

Now，morethanonce，inotherfrays，Ladhadsubduedandscaredtrespassingpigsbythishold。But，inthosedays，histeethhadbeenkeenandhisjawstrongenoughtocrackabeefbone。

Moreover，thepigsonwhichhehadusedittosucheffectwerenotdrunkwiththelustofkilling。

Thesowsquealed，afresh，withpain；andoncemorebracedherselfandshookherheadwithallhermight:Again，Ladwasflungasidebythatshake；thistimewithafragmentoftornearbetweenhisteeth。

Asshedroveslaveringlyathimoncemore，Ladswervedanddartedin；divingforherforelegs。Withthecollie，aswithhisancestor，thewolf，thisdiveforthelegofanenemyisafavoriteandtremendouslyeffectivetrickinbattle。Ladfoundhishold，justabovetherightpastern。Andheexertedeveryatomofhispowertobreaktheboneortoseverthetendon。

InalltheBible\'smyriadtragiclinesthereisperhapsnoneothersoinfinitelysad，——lessforitsactualsignificancethanforwhatitimpliestoeverymanorwomanoranimal，soonorlate，——thanthatwhichdescribestheshornSamsongoingforthinjauntyconfidencetomeetthePhilistineshesooftenandsoeasilyhadconquered:

"HewistnotthattheLordwasdepartedfromhim！"

Toallofus，towhomthedoubtfulblessingofoldageisgranted，mustcometheblacktimewhenweshallessayataskwhichoncewecouldaccomplishwithease；——onlytofinditsachievementhaspassedforeverbeyondourwaningpowers。Andso，thisday，wasitwithSunnybankLad。

Ofyore，suchagripashenowsecuredwouldhavehamstrungorotherwisemaimeditsvictimandleftherwallowinghelpless。Butthedullteethmerelybarkedtheleg\'stoughskin。Andaspasmodicjerkrippeditloosefromthedog\'shold。

Ladbarelyhadtimetospringaside，tododgethewheelingsow。

Hewaspantingheavily。Hiswoundswerehurtingandweakeninghim。Hiswindwasgone。Hisheartwasdoingqueerthingswhichmadehimsickanddizzy。Hisstrengthwasturningtowater。Hiscouragealoneblazedhighandundimmed。

Notoncediditoccurtohimtoseeksafetyinflight。Hemusthaveknowntheprobableoutcome。ForLadknewmuch。Butthegreatheartdidnotflinchattheprospect。Feebly，yetdauntlessly，hecamebacktothehopelessbattle。TheMistresswasindanger。Andhealonecouldhelp。

Nolongerabletoavoidtherushes，hemetsomeofthemwithpatheticallyuselessjaws；goingdownunderothersandrisingwithevergreaterslownessanddifficulty。Thesow\'sraveningteethfoundagoal，morethanonce，intheburnishedmahoganycoatwhichtheMistressbrushedeverydaywithsuchlovingcare。

Theprongedhoofshadtwicemorecuthimashestrovetorollasidefromtheironslaughtafteroneofhisheavytumbles。

Theendofthefightseemedverynear。YetLadfoughton。Totheattack，aftereachupsetorwound，hecrawledwithdeathlesscourage。

TheMistress，atLad\'sfirstcharge，hadsteppedback。But，atonceshehadcaughtupagainthestickandbelaboredthesowwithallherfrailmuscularmight。Shemightaswellhavebeenbeatingthesideofaconcretewall。Heedlessoftheflailing，thesowignoredher；andcontinuedhermaddenedassaultonLad。Themaids，attractedbythenoise，crowdedthefrontdoorway；

clingingtogetherandjabbering。TothemtheMistresscallednowfortheMaster\'sshotgun，fromthestudywall，andforahandfulofshells。

Shekeptherhead；thoughshesawshewaspowerlesstosavethedogsheloved。Andhersoulwassickwithinherathisperilwhichherpunyeffortscouldnotavert。

Runningacrossthelawn，towardthehouse，shemethalfwaythemaidwhocametremblingforthwiththegunandtwoshells。

Withoutstoppingtoglanceatthecartridges，——nortorealizethattheywerefilledwithNumberEightshot，forquails，——shethrusttwoofthemintothebreechand，turning，firedpointblankatthesow。

Ladwasdownagain；andthesow，——nolongerinasquealingrush，butwithanewcolddeadliness，——wasgaugingthedistancetohisexposedthroat。Thefirstshotpepperedhershoulder；thetinypelletsscarcescratchingthetoughhide。

TheMistresshad，halted，tofire。Now，sheranforward:Withthemuzzlenotthreefeetfromthesow\'shead，shepulledtriggeragain。

Thepig\'shugejawsroadopenedwithdeliberatewidth。Oneforefootwaspinningthehelplesslybattlingdogtoearth，whileshemadereadytotearouthisthroat。

Thesecondshotwhizzedaboutherheadandface。Twoorthreeofthepelletsenteredtheopenmouth。

Withasoundthatwasneithergruntnorhowl，yetwhichsavoredofboth，thesowlurchedbackfromtheflashandroarandtheanguishingpaininhertendermouth。TheMistresswhirledalofttheemptyanduselessgunandbroughtitcrashingdownonthepig\'sskull。Thecarvedmahoganystockbrokeintwo。Thejarofimpactknockedtheweaponfromitswielder\'snumbedfingers。

Thesowseemedscarcetonoticetheblow。Shecontinuedbackingaway；andchampedherjawsasiftolocatethecauseoftheagonyinhermouth。Hereyeswereinflamedanddazedbytheflashofthegun。

TheMistresstookadvantageofthemoment\'sbreathingspacetobendoverthestaggeringlyrisingLad；and，catchinghimbytheruff，tourgehimtowardthehouse。Foronce，thebigcollierefusedtoobey。Heknewpignaturebetterthandidshe。Andheknewthesowwasnotyetfinishedwiththebattle。Hestrovetobreakfreefromthelovedgraspandtostaggerbacktohisadversary。

TheMistress，bymainstrength，drewhim，snarlingandprotesting，towardthesafetyofthehouse。Panting，bleeding，reeling，pitiablyweak，yetheresistedthetenderurging；andkepttwistinghisbloodyheadbackforaglimpseofhisfoe。Norwastheprecautionuseless。For，beforetheMistressandherwoundeddogwerehalf-wayacrosstheremainingstripoflawn，thesowrecoveredenoughofherdeflectedwitsandfurytolowerherheadandgallopdownafterthem。

Atherfirststep，Lad，byastupendouseffort，wrenchedfreefromtheMistress\'sclasp；andflunghimselfbetweenherandthechargingmassofpork。But，ashedidso，hefoundbreathforatrumpet-barkthatsoundedmorelikearallyingcry。

For，dulledaswerehisears，theywerestillkeenerthananyhuman\'s。Andtheyhadcaughtthesoundofeightflyingpawsamidthedeadleavesofthedrive。WolfandBruce，cominghomeataleisurelytrot，fromtheirrambleintheforest，hadheardthetworeportsoftheshotgun；andhadbrokenintoarun。TheyreadthemeaninginLad\'sexhaustedbark，asclearlyashumansmightreadaprintedword。Anditlentwingstotheirfeet。

Aroundthecornerofthehousetorethetworeturningcollies。Inasingleglance，theyseemedtotakeinthewholegrislyscene。

They，too，hadhadtheirboutswithmaraudingswine；andtheywerestillyoungenoughtoenjoysuchclashesandtopartakeofthemwithoutdanger。

Thesow，tooblindwithpainandragetoknowreinforcementswerecomingtotheaidofthehalf-deadhero，toreforward。TheMistress，withbothhands，soughttodragLadbehindher。Themaidsscreechedinplangentchorus。

Then，justasthesowwaslaunchingherselfonthefutilelysnappingLad，shewasstupidlyawarethatthedoghadsomehowchangedtothreedogs。OneofthesethreetheMistresswasstillholding。Thetwoothers，withexcellentteamwork，wereassailingthesowfromoppositesides。

Shecametoaslidingstopinhercharge；blinkinginbewilderedfury。

Brucehadcaughtherbythetornleftear；andwaskeepingeasilyoutofherway，whileheinflictedtorturethereon。Wolf，likeafurrywhirlwind，hadstoppedonlylongenoughtoslashherbleedingnosetothebone；andnowwastearingawayatherhindleginanindustriousandverypromisingefforttohamstringher。

Infront，LadwasstillstrainingtobreaktheMistress\'slovinghold；andtogetathispesteredenemy。

Thiswasmorethanthehugeporkerhadbargainedfor。Throughallhermurder-rage，shehadsenseenoughtoknowshewasoutnumberedandbeaten。Shebrokeintoaclumsygallop；headinghomeward。

ButBruceandWolfwouldnothaveitso。Delightedlytheytoreintotheattack。Theirslashingfangsandtheirkeenlynippingfrontteethwereeverywhere。Theywerealloverher。Insuddenpanic，blindedbyterrorandpain，thesowputhersixhundredpoundsofunwieldyweightintothefastestmotionshecouldsummon。Atascramblingrun，shesetoff，aroundthehouse；headdown，bittentailaloft；thetwodogsatherbleedinghaunches。

Dimly，shesawabigandblackobstacleloomupinherpath。Itwascomingnoisilytowardher。Butshewasgoingtoofastandtooblindlytoswerve。Andshemetit，headlong；throwinghervastweightforwardinanattempttosmashthroughit。Atthesametime，WolfandBruceleftoffharryingherflanksandsprangaside。

Duganhadreachedthegarageunseen。There，hehadbackedoutthecar，byhand；shovingitintotheopen，lestthemotor-whirrgiveprematureannouncementofhispresence。Then，asheboardedthemachineandreachedfortheself-starter，allbedlambrokeloose，fromsomewhereinthegeneraldirectionofthehouse，fiftyyardsaway。

Dugan，glancingupapprehensively，beheldthefirstphasesofthefight。Forgettingtheneedofhasteandofsecrecy，hesatthere，open-mouthed，watchingascrimmagewhichwasbeyondallhissportingexperienceandwhichthrilledhimasnoprize-fighthadeverdone。Moveless，wideeyed，hewitnessedthebattle。

Butthearrivalofthetwootherdogsandtheflightofthesowrousedhimtoasenseofthebusinesswhichhadbroughthimthither。TheMistressandthemaidshadnoeyesorearsforanythingbutthewoundedLad。Duganknewhecould，inallprobability，drivetothemainroadunnoticed；ifheshouldkeepthehousebetweenhimandthewomen。

Hepressedtheself-starter；threwoffthebrakeandputthecarintomotion。Then，ashestruckthelevelstretchofdriveway，backofthehouse，hesteppedhardontheaccelerator。Here，forafewrods，wasdangerofrecognition；anditbehoovedhimtomakespeed。Hemadeit。

Forwardboundedthecarandstruckaforty-milegait。Andaroundthehouse\'sfarcornerandstraighttowardDugancameflyingthesowandthetwocollies。Thedogs，atsightoftheonrushingcar，sprangaside。Thesowdidnot。

InthenarrowroadwaytherewasnoroomforDugantoturnout。

Nordidhecareto。Againandagainhehadrunoverdogs，withoutharminghiscarorslackeningitspace。Andofcourseitwouldbethesamewithapig。Hesteppedharderontheaccelerator。

AlfDugancametohissensesinthehospitalwardofthePatersonjail。Hehadnotthefaintestideahowhechancedtobethere。

Whentheytoldhimthecarhadturnedturtleandthatheandabroken-neckedpighadbeenhauledoutofthewreckage，heaskedinallhonesty:

"Whatcar？Whatpig？Quitstringingme，can\'tyou？Whichofmylegsdidyousayisbust，andwhichoneisjusttwisted？Theybothfeelasbadaseachother。How\'dIgethere，anyhow？Whathappenedme？"

WhenthevethadworkedoverLadforanhourandhadpatchedhimupandhaddeclaredtherewasnodoubtatallabouthisgettingwell，WolfandBrucewerebroughtintoseetheinvalid。TheMistressthoughthemightbegladtoseethem。

Hewasnot。

Indeed，afteronescornfullookintheirdirection，Laddieturnedawayfromthevisitors，incolddisgust。Also，hewaslessdemonstrativewiththeMistress，thanusual。Anyonecouldseehisfeelingsweredeeplyhurt。AndanyonewhoknewLadcouldtellwhy。

Hehadbornethebruntofthefight。And，atthelast，theselesserdogshadwonthevictorywithouthisaid。Stillworse，hisbelovedMistress，——forwhomhehadsoblithelystakedhisagedlife，——theMistresshadheldhimbackbyforcefromjoininginthedeliriouslastphasesofthebattle。Shehadmadehimstandtamelyby，whileothersfinishedthegrandworkhehadbegun。

Itwasnotfair。AndLaddieleteveryoneinsightknowitwasnotfair；andthathehadnointentionofbeingpettedintoagoodhumor。

Still，when，byandby，theMistresssatdownonthefloorbesidehimandtoldhimwhatadarlingandwonderfulandheroicdoghewasandhowproudshefeltofhiscourage，andwhenherdearhandrumpledthesofthairbehindhisears，——well，somehowLadfoundhimselflayinghisheadinherlap；andmakingcroonylowsoundsatherandpretendingtobiteherlittlewhitehand。

ItwasalwayshardtostayoffendedattheMistress。

CHAPTERXI。TheGuardLadwasold——very，veryold。Hehadpassedhissixteenthbirthday。Foracollie，sixteenisasoldasisninety-fiveforahuman。

Thegreatdog\'slifehadbeenasbeautifulashimself。Andnow，inthelatetwilightofhisyears，Time\'shandrestedonhimaslovinglyasdidtheMistress\'s。Hehadfewofthedistressingfeaturesofage。

True；hishearingwasdullerthanofyore。Themagnificentbody\'slineswereblurredwithflesh。Theclassicmuzzlewassnowwhite；

aswerethelashesandeyebrows。Andtheoncemightymuscleswerestiffandunwieldy。Increasingfeeblenesscreptoverhim，makingexerciseaburdenandanysuddenmotionapain。Theoncetrumpetingbarkwasahollowechoofitself。

Butthedeep-setdarkeyes，withasoullookingoutofthem，wereasclearasever。Theuncannilywisebrainhadlostnotanatomofitspower。Thegloriousmahogany-and-snowcoatwasstillabundant。Thefearlesslygayspiritandloyalheartwereundimmedbyage。

Laddieresentedangrilyhisnewlimitations。Fromtimetotimehewouldforgetthem；andwouldsetoffataruninthewakeofBruceandWolf，whenthesoundofastranger\'sapproachmadethemgallopupthedrivewaytoinvestigate。Butalways；afterthefirstfewstiffbounds，hewouldcometoapantinghaltandturnbackwearilytohisrestingplaceintheveranda\'scoolestcorner；asindignantoverhisownweakness，ashewouldhavebeenatfetterswhichimpededhislimbs。

Hewasmoreandmoresensitiveaboutthisawkwardfeeblenessofhis。Andhesoughttomaskit；inwaysthatseemedinfinitelypathetictothetwohumanswholovedhim。Forinstance，oneofhisfavoriterompsinbygonedayshadbeentothrowhimselfdowninfrontoftheMistressandpretendtobiteherlittlefeet；

growlingterrificallyashedidit。Twiceoflate，ashehadbeenwalkingatherside，hisfootinghadslippedorhehadlosthisbalance，andhadtumbledheadlongInstantly，bothtimes，hehadbeguntogrowlandhadbitteninmockfuryattheMistress\'sfoot。Bythispitifulrusehestrovetomakeherbelievethathisfallhadbeenpurposefulandapartoftheoldengame。

Butworstofallhemissedthelongwalksonwhich，frompuppyhood，hehadalwaysaccompaniedtheMistressandtheMaster。

Unknowntotheolddog，thesewalkshadbeenshortened，mercifully，andsloweddown，toaccommodatethemselvestoLad\'swaningstrength:Butthetimecamewhenevenahalf-mile，atsnail-pace，overasmoothroad，wastoomuchforhiswindandendurance。

Nowadays，whentheyweregoingforawalk，Ladwasfirstluredintothehouseandleftthere。Therusedidnotfoolhim，anymorethanitwouldhavedeceivedagrownman。Andhisfeelingswerecruellyhurtateveryinstanceofthisseemingdefectiononthepartofhistwoworshipedhumanchums。

"Hestillenjoyslife，"musedtheMaster，onedayinlatesummer，asheandtheMistresssatontheveranda，withLadasleepattheirfeet。"Andhecanstillgetaboutabit。Hisappetiteisgood，andhedrowseshappilyforagooddealoftheday；andthecar-ridesarestillasmuchfunforhimasevertheywere。Butwhenthetimecomes——andhe\'sbreakingfast，thesepastfewmonths——whenthetimecomesthatlifeisamiserytohim——"

"Iknow，"interposedtheMistress，hervoicenotquitesteady。"I

know。DoyousupposeIhaven\'tbeenthinkingaboutit，onthehotnightswhenIcouldn\'tsleep？But，whenthetimecomes——whenitcomes——you\'ll——you\'lldoit，yourself，won\'tyou？"

"Yes，"promisedtheMaster，miserably。"Nooneelseshall。I\'drathercutoffoneofmyownhands，though。I\'VEbeendoingabitofthinking，too——atnight。It\'snobody\'sjobbutmine。Laddiewouldratherhaveitthatway，Iknow。And，byabullet。He\'sagallantoldsoldier。Andthatisthewayforhimtogo。Now，fortheLord\'ssake，let\'stalkaboutsomethingelse！Amanorwomanisafooltocarethatwayaboutanymeredog。I——"

"ButLadisn\'ta\'mere\'dog，"contradictedtheMistress，stoopingtopetthecollie\'sclassicheadasitlayacrossherfoot。

"He\'s——he\'sLaddie。"

Thesoundofhisnamepiercedthesleepmistsandbroughtthedogtowakefulness。HeraisedhisheadinquiringlytowardtheMistress，andhisplumedtailbegantothumpthefloor。TheMistresspattedhimagain；andspokeawordortwo。Ladpreparedtodrowseoncemore。Then，tohisdulledearscamethepaddingoflittlebarefeetonthegrass。Andheglancedupagain，thistimeineagerinterest。

Acrossthelawnfromtheorchardcametrottingachild；carryingabasketofpeachestowardthekitchen。Theyoungsterworebutasinglegarment，ashapelesscalicodressthatfellscarcelytoherknees。ShewasSonya，theseven-year-olddaughterofoneofthePlace\'sextraworkmen，aSlavnamedRuloffwholivedinthemile-distantvillage，acrossthelake。

Ruloff，followingthecustomofhispeasantancestors，puthiswholefamilytowork，fromthetimeitsmemberswereoldenoughtotoddle。Andheurgedthemagainsttheviceoflazinessbymeansofanever-readyfist，orastillreadiertoeoraharnessstrap——whicheverofthetrioofenergyproducerschancedtobehandiest。IncomingovertothePlace，foramonth\'slabor，duringtheharvestseason，hebroughtalongeverydayhisyoungestandmostfragileoffspring，Sonya。Underherfather\'sdirectionsandunderhismoredrasticmodesofencouragement，thelittlegirlwasofmuchhelptohiminhisdoilytoil。

Twice，theMasterhadcaughthimpunishingherforundueslownessincarryingoutsomedutytooheavyforherfrailstrength。Onbothtimeshehadstoppedthebrutaltreatment。Onthesecond，hehadtoldRuloffhewouldnotonlydischargehim，butassisthisdeparturefromthePlacewithatasteofboot-toemedicine，ifevertheSlavshouldlayahandonthechildagainduringhisperiodofemploymentthere。ThePlace\'sEnglishsuperintendenthadpromisedliketreatmenttotheman，shouldhecatchhimilltreatingSonya。

Wherefore，Ruloffhadperforcecurbedhisparentalurgingstowardviolence；——atleastduringthehourswhenheandthechildwereonthePlace。

Sonyawasanengaginglittlething；andtheMistresshadmadeapetofher。SohadtheMaster。Buttheyoungster\'swarmestfriendwasoldSunnybankLad。

FromthefirstdayofSonya\'sadventinhislife，Ladhadconstitutedhimselfheradorerandconstantcompanion。

Alwayshisbighearthadgoneouttochildren；astoeverythingweakanddefenseless。Notalwayshadhistreatmentatthehandsofchildrenencouragedthisfeelingoflovingchivalryanddevotion。ButSonyawasanexception。Whenevershecouldstealaminuteoftime，awayfromherfather\'sglumeyesandnaggingvoiceandreadyfist，shewouldseekoutLad。

Shewasasgentlewiththegrandolddogasotherchildrenhadbeenrough。Shelovedtocuddledownclosebesidehim，herarmsaroundhisshaggyneck；andcroonqueerlittlehigh-voicedsongstohim；herthincheekagainsthishead。Sheusedtosaveoutfragmentsfromherownsparselunchtogivetohim。ShewasinordinatelyproudtowalkathissideduringLad\'srareramblesaroundthePlace。Childanddogmadeaprettypictureofutterchumship。

TonobodysavetheMistressandtheMasterhadLaddieevergivenhisheartsocompletelyastothisbaby。

Hurriedthoughshewas，today，Sonyasetdownherbasketofpeachesand，withashyglanceofappealatthetwohumans，reachedacrosstheverandaedgetostrokeLad\'sheadandtoacceptindelighthisprofferedpaw。Then，guiltily，shecaughtupherbasketandspedontothekitchen。

Lad，slowlyandwithdifficulty，gottohisfeetandfollowedher。AminutelatertheMistresswatchedthemmakingtheirwaytotheorchard，sidebyside；thechildslackeninghereagerstepsinordertokeeppacewiththeageddog。

"Iwishwecouldarrangetotakeherawayfromthatbruteofafatherofhers，andkeepherhere，"saidtheMistress。"It\'shorribletothinkofsuchahelplesswispofababybeingbeatenandmadetowork，dayandnight。AndthensheandLaddieloveeachotherso。They——"

"Whatcanwedo？"askedtheMaster，hopelessly。"I\'vespokentothevillageauthoritiesaboutit。Butitseemsthelawcan\'tinterfere；unlessbrutalcrueltycanbeprovedorunlesstheparentsareunfittobringupthechild。"

"Brutalcruelty？"echoedtheMistress。"Whatcouldbemorebrutalthanthewayhebeatsher？Why，lastweektherewasabruiseonherarmasbig——"

"Whatcanweprove？Hehasalegalrighttopunishher。Ifwegotthemupincourt，he\'dfrightenherintoswearingshehurtherarmonafencepicketandthatheneverharmsher。No，there\'snosortofcurefortherottenstateofaffairs。"

ButtheMasterwasmistaken。Therewasaverygoodcureindeedforit。Andthatcurewasbeingappliedatthemomenthedenieditsexistence。

Sonyahaddisappearedfromviewoverthecrestofthelawn:Downintotheorchardshewent，Ladatherside；towhereRuloffwaswaitingforhertoluganotherfullbasketbacktothehouse。

"Move！"heordered，asshedrewnear。"Don\'tcrawl！Move，orI\'llmakeyoumove。"

Thisthreathevoicedverybravelyindeed。Hewaswelloutofsightofthehouse。Thesuperintendentandthetwoothermenwereworkingonthefarsideofthehill。Itseemedaneminentlysafetimetoexercisehisparentalauthority。And，handuplifted，hetookathreateningsteptowardthelittlegirl。

Sonyacoweredbackinmortaldread。TherewasnomistakingtheimportofRuloff\'stoneorgesture。Ladreaditasclearlyasdidthechild。AsSonyashrankawayfromthemenace，afurryshoulderwaspressedreassuringlyagainstherside。Lad\'scoldmuzzlewasthrustforthemerestinstantintohertremblinghand。

Then，asRuloffadvanced，Ladtookonemajesticstepforward；hisgreatbodyshieldingthegirl；hisdarkeyessternlyontheman\'s；hislipsdrawingbackfromhisbluntedyellowfangs。Deepinhisthroatagrowlwasborn。

Ruloffcheckedhimself；lookingdoubtfullyattheshaggybrute。

Andatthesamemomentthesuperintendentappearedovertheridgeofthehill，onhiswaytotheorchard。TheSlavpickedupafilledbasketandshoveditatSonya。

"Jump！"heordered。"Keepmoving。Bebackhereinoneminute！"

WithasighofenormousreliefandapatoffurtivegratitudetoLad，thechildsetforthonhererrand。Yet，evenatriskofasharperrebuke，sheaccommodatedherpacetoLad\'sstatelyslowsteps。

Hithertoshehadlovedthedogfornospecialreasonexceptthatherheartsomehowwentouttohim。Butnowshehadapracticalcauseforherdevotion。Ladhadstoodbetweenherandafistblow。Hehadrisked，sheknewnotwhat，todefyherall-terriblefatherandtoprotectherfrompunishment。

AssoonasshewasoutofRuloff\'ssight，shesetdownherbasket，andflungbothpunyarmsaboutthedog\'sneckinanagonyofgratitude。

Hersqueezealmoststrangledtheweakoldcollie。Buttherewasloveinit。Andbecauseofthat，hereveledinthehurt。

"Youwon\'tlethimthumpme！"shewhisperedinthedog\'sear。

"Youwon\'tlethim。I\'dneverbeafraidofhim，ifyouwerethere。Oh，Laddie，you\'resodarling！"

Lad，highlypleased，lickedherwizenedlittlefaceand，sittingdown，insistedonshakinghandswithher。Herealizedhehaddonesomethingquitewonderfulandhadmadethislittlechumofhisproudofhim。Wherefore，hewasproudofhimself；andfeltyoungandgayagain；——untilhisnextstrenuousefforttowalkfast。

Allnight，inhersleep，inthestiflinglyhotloftofherfather\'shovel，whichservedherandthefiveotherRuloffchildrenasadormitory，Sonyawasfaintlyawareofthatbrightmemory。Herfirstwakingthoughtwasoftheshaggyshoulderpressedsoprotectinglyagainstherside；andofthereassuringthrustofLad\'smuzzleintohercuppedpalm。Itallseemedasvividlyrealasthoughshecouldstillfeelthefriendlycontact。

Onthenextmorning，Ruloffaloneofallthevillage\'spopulationwenttowork。ForitwasLaborDay。

Ruloffdidnotbelieveinholidays，——eitherforhimselforforhisfamily。Andwhilewagesweresohigh。hewasnotmindedtothrowawayafullday\'searnings，justforthesakeofhonoringaholidayordainedinacountryforwhichhefeltnofondnessorotherinterest。So，withSonyataggingafterhim，hemadehiswaytothePlace，asusual。

Now，onLaborDay，ofthatyear，washeldtheannualoutdoordog-showatHawthorne。Lad，ofcourse，wasfartoooldtobetakentoashow。Andthiswasoneofthecompensationsofoldage。ForLaddiedetesteddogshows。But，abnormallysensitivebynature，thissensitivenesshadgrownuponhimwithfailingstrengthandaddedyears。Thus，whenhesawBruceandBobandJeanbathedandgroomedandmadereadyfortheshow，hewassadatheart。Forherewasonemorethinginwhichhenolongerhadanyshare。

Andsohelaydowninhiscave，underthepiano，hisheadbetweenhisabsurdlysmallwhiteforepaws；andhearkenedsadlytothepreparationsfordeparture。

Bruce("SunnybankGoldsmith")wasperhapsthemostbeautifulcollieofhisgeneration。Groomedforashow，hemademostotherdogslookplebeianandshabby。Thatday，onemaysayinpassing，hewasdestinedtogothroughthecollieclasses，toWinners，witharush；andthentowintheawardandcupfor"BestDogOfAnyBreedInTheShow。"

Bruce\'ssonanddaughter——BobbyandJeanweretowinintheirrespectivecollieclassesasBestPuppyandBestNovice。ItwastobeadayoftriumphfortheSunnybankKennels。Yet，somehow，itwastobeadaytowhichtheMistressandtheMasterneverenjoyedlookingback。

Intothecarthethreedogswereput。TheMistressandtheMasterandthePlace\'ssuperintendedgotaboard，andthetriptoHawthornebegan。

Laddiehadcomeoutfromhiscavetoseetheshow-goersoff。TheMistress，lookingback，hadalastglimpseofhim，standinginthefrontdoorway；staringwistfullyafterthecar。Shewavedherhandtohiminfarewell。Ladwaggedhisplumedtail，once，inreply，tothesalute。Then，heavily，heturnedbackagainintothehouse。

"DearoldLaddie！"sighedtheMistress。"Heusedtohatetogotoshows。Andnowhehatesbeingleftbehind。Itseemssocrueltoleavehim。Andyet——"

"Ohthemaidswilltakegoodcareofhim！"consoledtheMaster。

"Theyspoilhim，whenevertheygetachance。Andwe\'llbebackbeforefiveo\'clock。Wecan\'tbeforeverlookingoutforhiscrotchetyfeelings。"

"Wewon\'tbe\'forever\'doingthat，"prophesiedtheMistress，unhappily。

Leftalonetheolddogpacedslowlybacktohiscave。Thedaywashot。Hismassivecoatwasaburden。Lifewasgrowingmoreofaproblemthanofoldithadbeen。Also，fromtimetotime，lately，hisheartdidqueerthingsthatannoyedLad。Atsomesuddenmotionorundueexertionithadanewwayofthrobbingandofhammeringagainsthisribssoviolentlyastomakehimpant。

Laddidnotunderstandthis。And，aswithmostthingshedidnotunderstand，itvexedhim。Thismorning，forexample，——theheatofthedayandthefatigueofhisrambledownthroughtherosegardentothelakeandback，hadsetittothumpingpainfully。Hewasgladtolieatpeaceinhisbelovedcave，inthecoolmusic-room；andsleepawaythehoursuntilhisdeitiesshouldreturnfromthatmiserabledog-show。Heslept。

Andsoanhourworeon；andthenanotherandanother。

Attheshow，theMistressdevelopedoneofhersickheadaches。

Shesaidnothingofit。ButtheMastersawtheblackshadowsgrow，underhereyes；andthecolorgooutofherface；andhenotedthelittlepain-linesaroundhermouth。So，assoonasthecolliejudgingwasover，hemadehergetintothecar；andhedroveherhome，meaningtoreturntoHawthorneintimefortheafternoonjudgingofspecialsandofvarietyclasses。

Meanwhile，asthemorningpassed，Ladwasrousedfromhisfitfulold-ageslumberbythesoundofcrying。Intohisdreamsseepedthedistressingsound。Hewoke；listened；gotuppainfullyandstartedtowardthefrontdoor。

Halfwaytothedoor，hisbrainclearedsufficientlyforhimtorecognizethevoicethathadawakenedhim。Andhisleisurelywalkmergedintoarun。

RuloffandSonyahadbeenworkingallmorninginthepeachorchard。Tothechild\'schagrin，Ladwasnowhereinsight。Everytimeshepassedthehousesheloiteredaslongasshedared，inhopeofgettingaglimpseofhim。

"IwonderwhereLaddieis，"sheventured，once，asherfatherwasfillingabasketforhertocarry。

"Thedogshavegonetoasillyshow，"gruntedRuloff，pilingthebasket。"Thesuperintendenttoldme，yesterday。Towasteawholedaywithdogs！Pouf！Nowondertheworldispoor！Here，thebasketisfull。Jump！"

Sonyapickeduptheheavyload——twiceasbigasusualwerethebasketsgivenhertocarry，nowthattheinterferingMasterandthesuperintendentwerenotheretoforbid——andstartedlaboriouslyforthehouse。

Herbackachedwithweariness。Yet，intheabsenceofherprotectors，shedarednotcomplainoreventoallowherselftheluxuryofwalkingslowly。So，upthehill，shetoiled；attopspeed。Ruloffhadfinishedfillinganotherbasket，andhepreparedtofollowher。Thiscompletedthemorning\'swork。Hislunch-pailawaitedhimatthebarn。Withnobodytokeeptabsonhim，heresolvedtostealanextrahouroftime，inhonorofLaborDay——athisemployer\'sexpense。

Sonyapattereduptheriseandaroundtothecornerofthehouse。

There，feelingherfather\'seyeonher，ashefollowed；shetriedtohastenherstaggeringsteps。Asaresult，shestumbledagainsttheconcretewalk。Herbarefeetwentfromunderher。

Downshefell，asprawl；thepeachesflyinginfiftydirections。

Shehadcutherknee，painfully，againsttheconcreteedge。This，andtheknowledgethatRuloffwouldmostassuredlypunishherclumsiness，madeherbreakoutinshrillweeping。

Amongthecascadedpeachesshelay，cryinghereyesout。UpthehilltowardherscrambledRuloff；basketonshoulder；yellingabusebetterfittedfortheearsofabalkymulethanforthoseofahurtchild。

"Getup！"hebawled。"Getup，youworthlesslittlecow！Ifyou\'vespoiledanyofthosepeachesorbrokemybasket，I\'llcutthefleshoffyourbones。"

Sonyaredoubledherwailing。For，sherecognizedabumpysubstancebeneathherasthecrushedbasket。AndthesebasketsbelongedtoRuloff；nottothePlace。

Fortheaccidentalbreakingoffarlessworthwhilethings，athome，sheandherbrothersandsistershadoftenbeenthrashedmostunmercifully:Herlamentationssoaredtohighheaven。Andherfather\'srunningfeetsoundedlikethetrampofDoom。

Thereisperhapsnootherterrorsoawfulasthatofanilltreatedchildattheapproachofpunishment。Amanorwoman，menacedbydangerfromlaworfromprivatefoe，caneitherfightitoutorrunawayfromit。Butthereisnohidingplaceforachildfromabruteparent。ThepunishmentisasinevitableandasfearsomeasfromthehandofGod。

No；thereisnootherterrorsoawful。And，onelikestothink，thereisnootherpunishmentinthenextworldsosevereasthatmetedouttothetorturersoflittlechildren。Forthishope\'sbasisthereisthesolemnwarningvoicedbytheAll-pityingFriendofchildren；——athreatwhich，apparently，wasunfamiliartoRuloff。

DownupontheweepinglyprostrateSonyaboretheman。Ashecametowardher，herippedofftheleathernbelthewore。Andhebrandisheditbythehole-punchend；thebrassbucklesingingominouslyabouthishead。Then，outfromthehouseandacrossthewideverandaflashedagianttawnyshape。

Withthefiercespeedofhisyoungestdays，Ladclearedtheporchandreachedthecryingchild。InthesameinstanthebeheldtheadvancingRuloff；andthewiseoldbrainreadthesituationataglance。

Stoppingonlytolickthetear-streakedlittleface，LadboundedinfrontofSonyaandfacedthefather。Thecollie\'sfeebleoldbodywastense；hiseyesblazedwithindignantfury。Hishacklesbristled。Theyellowedanduselessteethglintedfrombeneathback-writhedlips。Forallhisage，Ladwasaterribleandterrifyingfigureashestoodguardoverthehelplesswaif。

Ruloffhesitatedaninstant，takenabackbytheapparition。Sonyaceasedshrieking。Ladwasheretoprotecther。Overherfrightenedsoulcamethatformerqueersenseofsafety。Shegotup，tremblingly，andpressedclosetothefurrygiantwhohadcometoherrescue。SheglareddefiantlyupatRuloff。

Perhapsitwasthisglare；perhapsitwastheknowledgethatLadwasveryoldandthesightofhisworn-downteeth；perhapsitwastheneedofmaintaininghisholdoffearovertherebelliouschild。Atallevents，Ruloffswungaloftthebeltoncemoreandstrodetowardthetwo；balancinghimselfforakickatthethundrouslygrowlingdog。

Thekickdidnotland。For，evenasSonyacriedoutinnewterror，LadlaunchedhimselfattheSlav。

Allunpreparedfortheclash，andbeinganuttercowardatheart——ifhehadaheart——thefatherreeledback，undertheimpact。Losinghisbalance，hetumbledpronetoearth。

Bythetimehisbackstruckground，Ladwasuponhim；raveninguselesslyattheswarthythroat。

But，yellingwithfright，Rulofffendedhimoff；andtwistedandwrithedoutofreach；bunchinghisfeetunderhimand，inasecond，staggeringupandracingfortheshelterofthenearesttree。

Upthelow-stretchingbranchesthemanswarmed，untilhewaswelloutofreach。Then，pausinginhisclimb，heshookhisfistdownatthecollie，whowascirclingthetreeinavainattempttofindsomewayofclimbingit。

Chattering，mouthing，gibberinglikeamonkey，Ruloffshookanimpotentfistatthedogthathadtreedhim；andsqualledinsultsathimandatthehystericallydelightedchild。

SonyarusheduptoLad，flingingherarmsaroundhimandtryingtokisshim。Atherembrace，thecollie\'stensionrelaxed。HeturnedhisbackonthejabberingRuloff，andlookedpantinglyupintothechild\'sexcitedface。

Then，whimperingalittleunderhisbreath，helickedhercheek；

andmadeshifttowaghisplumedtailinreassurance。Afterwhich，havingroutedtheenemyanddonewhathecouldtocomforttherescued，Laddiemovedheavilyovertotheveranda。

Forsomereasonhewasfindingithardtobreathe。Andhisheartwasdoingamazingthingsagainsthisribs。Hewasverytired——verydrowsy。Hewantedtofinishhisinterruptednap。Butitwasalongwayintothehouse。Andaspotontheveranda，underthewidehammock，promisedcoolness。Thitherhewent；walkingmoreandmoreslowly。

Atthehammock，helookedback:Ruloffwasshinnyingdownfromthetree；onthefarside。Allthefight，alltheangryzestfortorturing，seemedtohavegoneoutoftheman。WithoutsomuchasglancingtowardSonyaorthedog，hemadehisway，inawidedetour，towardthebarnandlunch。

SonyaranupontheverandaafterLad。Ashelaidhimselfheavilydown，underthehammock，shesatonthefloorbesidehim；takinghisheadinherlap，strokingitssilkenfurandbeginningtosingtohiminthathigh-pitchedcrooninglittlevoiceofhers。

Laddielovedthis。Andhelovedthesoftcaressofherhand。Itsoothedhimtosleep。

Itwasgoodtosleep。Hehadjustundergonemorevehementexertionandexcitementthanhadbeenhisformanyalongmonth。

Andhehadearnedhisrest。Itwassweettodozelikethis——pettedandsungto。

Itwasnotwelltoexercisebodyandemotionsashehadjustdone。Ladrealizedthat，now；——nowthatitwasalloverandhecouldrest。Rest！Yes，itwasgoodtorest，——tobesmoothedandcroonedat。ItwasthustheMistresshadstrokedandcroonedtohim，somanythousandtimes。AndalwaysLadhadlovedit。

Itwaswelltobeathomeandtobesinkingsopleasantlytosleep；hereatthePlacehehadguardedsincebeforehecouldremember——thePlacewhereheandtheMistressandtheMasterhadhadsuchsplendidtimes；whereheandhislong-deadmate，Lady，hadromped；wherehehadplayedwithandtrainedhisfierylittleson，Wolf；andwhereeveryinchofthedearlandwasalivewithwonderfulmemoriestohim。

Hehadhadafull，happy，richlife。Andnow，initstwilight，restwasasgratefulasactiononcehadbeen。

Themorningairwaswarmanditwasheavywithflowerandfield，scents；andwiththebreathoftheforestswheresooftenLadhadledthetearingrunofthecolliepackandinwhosesnowydepthsheoncehadfoughtforhislifeagainstWolfandthehugecrossbreed，Rex。Thatwaseversolongago。

TheMistressandtheMasterwerecominghome。Ladknewthat。Hecouldnothavetoldhowheknewit。Inearlieryears，hehadknowntheircarwasbringingthemhometohim，whileitwasstillamileormoredistantfromthePlace；——hadknownandhadcanteredforthtomeetit。

Hewastootired，justnow，todothat。Atleast，untilhehadsleptforamomentortwo。Always，untilnow，theMistressandtheMasterhadbeenfirst，withLad。Now，forsomeoddreason，sleepwasfirst。

Andheslept；——deeply，wearily。

Presently，asheslept，hesighedandthenquiveredalittle。

Afterthat，helaystill。Thegreatheart，veryquietly，hadstoppedbeating。

Intothedriveway，fromthemainroad，afurlongabove，rolledthehomecomingcar。Atsightofit，Sonyastartedup。Shewasnotcertainhowthecar\'soccupantswouldtakeherpreemptingoftheverandaintheirabsence。LettingLad\'sheadgentlydowntothefloor，sheslippedaway。

Tothebarnshewent，ignorantthatherfatherhadnotreturnedtotheorchard。ShewantedtogetherselfintoamorecourageousframeofmindbeforemeetingRuloff。Byexperienceshejudgedhewouldmakeherpay，andpaydear，forthefrightthecolliehadgivenhim。

Intothebarnsheran，shuttingfastitssidedoorbehindher。

Then，midwayacrosstheduskyhay-strewnspace，shecametoagaspingstop。Ruloffhadrisenfromaboxonthecorner，hadsetdownhislunchpail，movedbetweenherandthedoorandyankedoffhisbrass-buckledbelt。

Thechildwastrapped。Heretherewasnoearthlychanceforescape。Here，too，thankstothecloseddoor，Laddiecouldnotconetoheraid。Inpalsieddread，shestoodshakingandsobbing；

asthemanwalkedsilentlytowardher。

Ruloff\'sflatfacewidenedinagrinofanticipation。Hehadabigscoretopay。Andhewastheretopayit。Thefearofthedogwasstilluponhim；andtheshamethatthischild，thecauseofallhishumiliation，shouldhaveseenhimrunyellingupatree。

Itwouldtakeamightygoodfloggingtosquarethat。

Sonyacriedout，inmortalterror，athisfirststep。Then——

probablyonlyinherhystericalimagination，thoughafterwardshevowedithadactuallyhappened——camerescue。

Distinctly，againstherquiveringside，shefeltthepressureofawarmfurrybulk。Intoherparalyzedhandareassuringcoldmuzzlewasthrust。And，overher，cameasenseofwonderfulsafetyfromallharm。Facingherfatherwithahigh-pitchedloudlaughofgenuinecourage，sheshrilled:

"Youdon\'tdaretouchme！Youdon\'tdarelayonefingeronme！"

Andshemeantit。Herlookandeveryinflectionofthedefianthighvoiceprovedshemeantit；provedittothedumfoundedRuloff，inawaythatsentfunnylittleshiversdownhisspine。

Themancametoashamblinghalt；aghastatthetransfiguredlittlewispofhumanitywhoconfrontedhiminsuchgayfearlessness。

"Whydon\'tIdare？"heblustered，liftingthebrass-buckledweaponagain。

"Youdon\'tdareto！"shelaughed，wildly。"Youdon\'tdare，becauseyouknowhe\'llkillyou，Thistimehewon\'tjustknockyoudown。He\'llKILLyou！He\'llneverletyouhitmeagain。I

knowit。He\'sHERE！Youdon\'tdaretouchme！Youwon\'teverdaretouchme！He——"

Shechoked，inhershoutofweirdexultation。Theman，riddenbyhisracialsuperstition，staredopen-mouthedatthetinydemonwhoscreecheddefianceathim。

And，there，inthedimshadowsofthebarn，hisoverwroughtfancyseemedtomakeoutagrimformlessThing，closeatthechild\'sside；crouchinginsilentmenace。

Theheatoftheday——theshockofseeingLadappearfromnowhereandstandthus，bytheveranda，afewminutesearlier——theseandtheonce-timidSonya\'sconfidentbeliefinLad\'spresence，——allwroughtonthestupid，easily-thrilledmindoftheSlav。

"Thewerewolf！"hebabbled；throwingdownthebelt，andboltingoutintothefriendlysunlight。

"Thewerewolf！I——Isawit！I——atleast——GodofRussia，whatDID

Isee？WhatdidSHEsee？"

OveramagnificentlifelessbodyontheverandabentthetwowhohadlovedLadbestandwhomhehadservedsoworshipfullyforsixteenyears。TheMistress\'sfacewaswetwithtearsshedidnottrytocheck。IntheMaster\'sthroatwasalumpthatmadespeechpainful。Forthetenthtimeheleaneddownandlaidhisfingersabovethestillheartofthedog；seekingvainlyforsignoffluttering。

"Nouse！"hesaid，thickly，harkingbackbyinstincttoahalf-

rememberedphrase。"Theenginehasbrokendown。"

"No，"quotedthesobbingMistress，wiserthanhe。"\'Theengineerhasleftit。\'"

End