第4章

Women，foronething，donotusuallysmokedozensofrankcigarsdailyforyears，untiltheirfleshispermeatedwiththesmelloftobacco。Ahumancouldnothavedetectedsuchasmell——suchaMAN-smell，——onthepersonwhohadchirpedtoBruce。Anydog，twentyfeetaway，wouldhavenoticedit，andwouldhavetabulatedthewhite-cladmasqueraderasaman。Nordoawoman\'shairandskincarrythefaintbutunmistakableodorofbarracksandoftent-lifeandofmartialequipment，asdidthisman\'s。Themasqueraderwasevidentlynotonlyamanbutasoldier。

Dogs，——high-strungdogs，——donotliketohavetricksplayedonthem；leastofallbystrangers。Bruceseemedtotakethenurse-disguiseasapersonalaffronttohimself。Then，too，themanwasnotofhisownarmy。Onthecontrary，thescentproclaimedhimoneofthehordewhomBruce\'sfriendssomanifestlyhated——oneofthebreedthathadmorethanoncefiredonthedog。

DietandequipmentandothercausesgiveaGermansoldieramarkedlydifferentscent，todogs\'miraculouslykeennostrils，——

andtothoseofcertainhumans，——fromtheFrenchorBritishorAmericantroops。Warrecordsprovethis。Oncehavinglearnedthescent，andhavinglearnedtodetestit，Brucewasnottobedeceived。

Forallthesereasonshehadsnarledloathinglyatthemaninwhite。Forthesesamereasonshecouldnotreadilyforgettheincident，butcontinuedeverynowandthentoglancecuriouslyacrosstowardthechurch。

Presently，——notrelishingtherebukesofthefriendswhohadheretoforepesteredhimbyovermuchpetting，——thecolliearosequietlyfromhiscouchoftrampledearthatthefootofthestonebenchandstrolledbackacrossthestreet。Mostofthemenweretoobusy，talking，tonoteBruce\'sdeparture。ButSergeantMahancaughtsightofhimjustasthedogwasmountingthelastofthestepsleadingintothechurch。

Asarule，whenBrucewentinvestigating，hewalkedcarelesslyandwithhistailslightlya-wag。Nowhistailwasstiffasanicicle，andhemovedwarily，onthetipsofhistoes。Histawny-

manedneckwaslow。Mahan，understandingdogs，didnotlikethecollie\'sdemeanor。Rememberingthatthenursehadenteredthechurchafewminutesearlier，theSergeantgottohisfeetandhastilyfollowedBruce。

Thedog，meanwhile，hadpassedthroughthecrazilysplintereddoorwayandhadpausedonthethresholdoftheimprovisedhospital，asthereekofiodoformandofcarbolicsmoteuponhissensitivenostrils。Infrontofhimwasthestone-pavedvestibule。Beyondwastheinterioroftheshatteredchurch，linednowwithdoublerowsofcots。

Seatedonacamp-chairintheshadowyvestibulewasthepseudoRedCrossnurse。Atsightofthecolliethenursegotupinsomehaste。Bruce，stillwalkingstiff-legged，drewcloser。

Outfromunderthewhiteskirtflashedacapableandsolidly-

shodfoot。Inaswingingkick，thefootletdriveattheoncomingdog。BeforeBrucecoulddodgeorcouldsomuchasguesswhatwascoming，——thekicksmotehimwithagonizingforce，squareontheshoulder。

Toaspiritedcollie，akickcarriesmorethanthemerepainofitsinflicting。Itisagrosslyunforgivableaffrontaswell——asmanyatrampandthiefhavelearned，athighcost。

Bythetimethekickhadfairlylanded，Brucehadrecoveredfromhisinstantofincreduloussurprise；andwithlightningswiftnesshehurledhimselfathisassailant。

Nobarkorgrowlheraldedthemurderousthroatlunge。Itwasallthemoreterribleforthenoiselessnesswherewithitwasdelivered。Themasqueradingmansawitcoming，justtoolatetoguardagainstit。Helurchedbackward，belatedlythrowingbothhandsuptodefendhisthroat。Itwastheinvoluntarybackwardstepwhichsavedhisjugular。Forhisheelcaughtinthehemofhiswhiteskirt。Andwhollyoffbalance，hepitchedheadlongtothefloor。

Thisjerkyshiftofposition，onthepartofthefoe，spoiledBruce\'saim。Hisfearfuljawssnappedtogetherharmlesslyinemptyairataspotwhere，afractionofasecondearlier，theother\'sthroathadbeen。Downcrashedthedisguisedman。Andatopofhimthefuriousdoghurledhimself，seekingasecondtimethethroatgriphehadsonarrowlymissed。

AtthispointontheprogramSergeantMahanarrivedjustintimetoburybothhandsinthemassofBruce\'sfurryruffandtodragthesnarlinglyrabiddogbackfromhisprey。

Theplacewasinanuproar。Nursesanddoctorscamerushingoutintothevestibule；sickandwoundedmensatupontheircotsandeagerlycranedtheirneckstocatchsightofthescrimmage。

Soldiersraninfromthestreet。

Strongashewas，MahanhadbothhandsfullinholdingthefranticBrucebackfromhisenemy。Undertheinsultofthekickfromthismasquerader，whomhehadalreadyrecognizedasafoe，thecolliehadtemporarilylosteveryvestigeofhisstatelydignity。Hewasforthemomentmerelyawildbeast，seekingrevengeforabrutalinjury。HewrithedandfoughtinMahan\'sgrasp。Neveroncedidheseektoattackthestrugglingmanwhoheldhim。Buthestrainedeverygiantsinewtogetatthefoewhohadkickedhim。

Thedog\'sopponentscrambledtohisfeet，helpedbyadozenwillinghandsandaccostedbyasmanysolicitousvoices。Thevictim\'sfacewasbone-graywithterror。Hislipstwitchedconvulsively。Yet，asbefittedapersoninhisposition，hehadasplendidsetofnerves。Andalmostatonceherecoveredpartialcontroloverhimself。

"I——Idon\'tknowhowithappened，"hefaltered，hisrichcontraltovoiceshakywiththeground-swellsofhisrecentshock。

"ItbeganwhenIwassittingonthesteps，sewing。Thisdogcamepast。HegrowledatmesothreateninglythatIcameindoors。A

minutelater，whileIwassittingheresewing，hesprangatmeandthrewmedown。Ibelievehewould——wouldhavekilledme，"thenarratorfinished，withaverygenuineshudder，"ifIhadnotbeenrescuedwhenIwas。Suchbloodthirstybrutesoughttobeshot！"

"HenotonlyOUGHTtobe，"hotlyagreedthechiefsurgeon，"butheisGOINGtobe。Takehimoutintothestreet，oneofyoumen，andputaballinhishead。"

Thesurgeonturnedtothepantingnurse。

"You\'recertainhedidn\'thurtyou？"heasked。"Idon\'twantanewcomer，likeyourself，tothinkthisistheusualtreatmentournursesget。Liedownandrest。Youlookscaredtodeath。Anddon\'tbenervousaboutthecurattackingyouagain。He\'llbedeadinsideofthreeminutes。"

Thenurse，withamumbledwordofthanks，scuttledoffintotherearofthechurch，wherethetumbledownvestryhadbeenfittedupasadormitory。

BrucehadcalmeddownsomewhatunderMahan\'ssharpreproof。Buthenowstruggledafreshtogetathisvanishedquarry。AndagaintheSergeanthadatussletoholdhim。

"Idon\'tknowwhat\'sgotintothebigfellow！"exclaimedMahantoVivierastheoldFrenchmanjoinedthetumultuousgroup。"He\'sgonecleandaft。He\'dofkilledthatpoorwoman，ifIhadn\'t——"

"Gethimoutofhere！"orderedthesurgeon。"Andclearout，yourselves，allofyou！Thisrumpushasprobablysetalotofmypatients\'temperaturestorocketing。Takethecuroutandshoothim！"

"Excuseme，sir，"spokeupMahan，asVivierstaredaghastatthemanwhocommandedBruce\'sdestruction，"buthe\'snocur。He\'sacourier-collie，officiallyintheserviceoftheUnitedStatesGovernment。Andhe\'sthebestcourier-doginFranceto-day。Thisis——"

"Idon\'tcarewhatheis！"ragedthesurgeon。"He——"

"ThisisBruce，"continuedMahan，"thedogthatsavedthe\'Here-

We-Comes\'atRache，andthatsteeredadetailofustosafetyonenightinthefog，intheChateau-Thierrysector。Ifyouorderanymanofthe\'Here-We-Comes\'toshootBruce，you\'reliabletohaveamutinyonyourhands——officerornoofficer。Butifyouwish，sir，IcantransmityourordertotheK。O。Ifheendorsesit——"

Butthesurgeonsought，atthatmoment，tosavetheremnantsofhisdignityandofabadsituationbystalkingloftilybackintothehospital，andleavingMahaninthemiddleofhisspeech。

"Or，sir，"theSergeantgrinninglycalledafterhim，"youmightwritetotheGeneralCommanding，andtellhimyouwantBruceshot。TheBigDogalwayssleepsinthegeneral\'sownroom，whenhe\'soff-duty，atDivisionHeadquarters。MaybethegeneralwillO。K。hisdeath-sentence，ifyouaskhimto。He——"

Somewhatquickeninghisstatelystride，thesurgeonpassedoutofearshot。Attheofficers\'messofthe"Here-We-Comes，"hehadoftenheardBruce\'spraisessung。Hehadneverchancedtoseethedoguntilnow。But，beneathhisarmorofdignity，hequakedtothinkwhattheresultstohimselfmusthavebeen，hadheobeyedhisfirstimpulseofdrawinghispistolandshootingtheadoredandpricelesslyusefulcollie。

Mahan，——stolidlyrejoicinginhisvictoryoverthetop-loftypotentatewhomhedisliked，——ledthewayoutofthecrowdedvestibuleintothestreet。BrucefolloweddemurelyathisheelsandVivierbombardedeverybodyinsightforinformationastowhatthewholefracaswasabout。

Brucewashimselfagain。Nowthatthedetestedmaninwoman\'sclotheshadgoneaway，therewasnosenseincontinuingtostruggleortowasteenergyinashowoffury。Nevertheless，inhisbigheartburneddeathlesshatredtowardtheGermanwhohadkickedhim。And，likeanelephant，acollieneverforgets。

"But，"Vivierwasdemandingofeverybody，"butwhyshouldthegentleBrucehaveattackedagoodnurse？Itisnotwhatyoucall\'make-sense。\'C\'estungentilhomme，cevieux！HewouldnotattackawomanlessstillasisteroftheRedCross。He——"

"Ofcoursehewouldn\'t，"glumlyassentedthedownheartedMahan。

"ButheDID。That\'stheanswer。Isawhimdoit。Heknockedherdownand——"

"Whichnursewasshe？"askedasoldierwhohadcomeupafterthetroublewasover。

"Anewonehere。Idon\'tknowhername。Shecamelastweek。Isawherwhenshegothere。IwasondutyattheK。O。\'sofficewhenshereported。Shehadaletterfromsomeoneonthesurgeon-

general\'sstaff。ButwhyBruceshouldhavegoneforherto-day——

orforanywoman——ismorethanIcansee。Shewasscaredhalftodeath。It\'sluckysheheardthesurgeonorderhimshot。She\'llsupposehe\'sdead，bynow。Andthat\'llcureherscare。WemusttrytokeepBruceawayfromthisendofthestreettillhegoesbacktoheadquartersto-morrow。"

AsaresultBrucewascoaxedtoMahan\'scompany-shedandbydintoffood-giftsandpettingwasinducedtospendmostofthedaythere。

AtsunsetBrucetiredofhisdullsurroundings。Mahanhadgoneonduty；sohadVivier；sohadothersofhisfriends。Thedogwasboredandlonely。Alsohehadeatenmuch。Andawalkisgood，notonlyforloneliness，butforsettlinganoverfullstomach。Brucedecidedtogoforawalk。

Throughtheirregularstreetofthevillagehepickedhisway，andontowardtheopencountrybeyond。Asentryortwosnappedfingersofgreetingtohimashestrolledpastthem。Thefolkofthevillageeyedhisbulkandgracefuldignitywithsomethinglikeawe。

Beyondthehamlettheridgeofhilltopranonforperhapsaquarter-milebeforedippingintotheplainbelow。Atoneendofthislittleplateauacompanyofinfantrywasdrilling。BrucerecognizedMahanamongthemarchinglines，buthesawhisfriendwasondutyandrefrainedfromgoinguptohim。

Above，thesunsetskywascloudless。Liketinyspecks，milestoeastward，afewenemyairshipscircledabovetheheapofclusteredhillswhichmarkedthenearestGermanposition。Thetorn-upplain，between，seemedbarrenoflife。So，atfirst，didthefartherendofthejuttingridgeonwhichthevillagewasperched。ButpresentlyBruce\'sidlywanderingeyewascaughtbyaflutterofwhiteamongsomebouldersthatclumpedtogetherontheridge\'sbrowfarthestfromthevillage。

Someone——awoman，fromthedress——wasapparentlypickingherwaythroughtheboulders。AsBrucemovedforward，abigrockshutherofffromhisviewandfromtheviewofthehamletandofthemaneuveringinfantrycompanyafurlongaway。

Justthenapuffofbreezeblewfromeastwardtowardthecollie；

anditboretohimafaintscentthatsethisruffa-bristleandhissoftbrowneyesablaze。Toadog，ascentoncesmelledisasrecognizableagainasisthesightofaonce-seenfacetoahuman。Brucesetoffatahand-galloptowardtheclumpofboulders。

TheRedCrossnurse，whomBrucehadsonearlykilled，wasoffdutyuntilthenight-shiftshouldgoonatthehospital。Thenursehadtakenadvantageofthisbriefsurceasefromtoil，bygoingforalittlewalkinthecoolsunsetair，andhadcarriedalongabagofsewing。

UptothreemonthsagothisnursehadbeenknownasHeinrichStolz，andhadbeenavaluedmemberoftheWilhelmstrasse\'sworkingforceofsecretagents。Then，actingunderorders，HerrHeinrichStolzhadvanishedfromhisaccustomedhaunts。SoonthereafteraRedCrossnurse——FeliciaStuartbynamehadreportedfordutyatParis，havingbeentransferredthitherfromItaly，andbearingindubitablecredentialstothateffect。

Fromcarefullypicked-upinformationStolzhadjustlearnedoftheexpectedarrivalofthethreetroop-trainsatthejunctionatninethatevening。Thetidingshadinterestedhimkeenly，andheknewofotherpeopletowhomtheywouldbefarmoreinteresting。

Seatinghimselfundertheleeoftheeasternmostrock，Stolzprimlyopenedhissewing-baganddrewforthvarioustorngarments。Thegarmentswereforthemostpartwhite，butoneortwowereofgaudycolors。

Bywayofprecaution，incaseofdiscovery，thespythreadedaneedle。Thus，ifanyoneshouldchancetoseehimshakeoutagarment，preparatorytolayingitonhiskneeandmendingit，therecouldbenoreasonablecauseforsuspicion。HerrStolzwasnothingifnotefficient。

Hehelduptheneedleandpokedthethreadatitseyeintrulyfemininefashion。

Hehadjustfinishedthisfeatofdexteritywhenhechancedtolookupfromhisworkatsoundoffast-patteringfeet。Notthirtyfeetaway，chargingheadonathim，rushedthegreatbrown-and-

whitecolliehesupposedhadbeenshot。

Withajumpofabjectterror，HerrStolzsprangup。Mingledwithhisnormalfearofthedogwasatingeofsuperstitiousdread。Hehadbeensocertainthebeastwasshot！Thedoctorhadgiventheorderforhiskilling。Thedoctorwasacommissionedofficer。

Stolz\'sGermanmindcouldnotgraspthepossibilityofasoldierdisobeyinganofficer\'simperativecommand。

Thecolliewasuponhimbythetimethespygainedhisfeet。

Stolzreachedfranticallyunderhisdress-foldsforthedeadlylittlepistolthathealwayskeptthere。Buthewasstillanoviceinthemysteriesoffeminineapparel。And，beforehisfingerscouldcloseontheweapon，Bruce\'sbaredfangsweregleamingathisthroat。

Stolzceasedtosearchfortheweapon。And，asbefore，hethrewupbothfrantichandstowardoffthefuriousjaws。

Hewasbarelyintime。Bruce\'swhiteteethdrovedeepintothespy\'sforearm，andBruce\'seightypoundsoffurrymuscularbulksmoteStolzfullinthechest。Downwentthespy，undertheterrificimpact，sprawlingwildlyonhisback，andfightingwithbothbleedinghandstopushbackthedog。

Bruce，collie-fashion，didnotsticktoonegrip，butbitandslashedadozentimesinthreeseconds，tearingandrendinghiswaytowardthethroat-holdhecraved；drivingthroughfleshofhandsandofforearmstowardhisgoal。

LikemanyanotherGerman，Stolzwasfarmoreadeptatcausingpainthanatenduringit。Also，frombirth，hehadhadanunconquerablefearofdogs。Hisnerves，too，werenotyetrecoveredfromBruce\'sattackearlierintheday。Allthis，andthespectralsuddennessoftheonslaught，robbedhimofeveryatomofhisusualstonyself-control。

SergeantMahanwasagoodsoldier。Yetaminuteearlierhehadalmostruinedhisreputationassuch。Hehadbeenhardputtoittorefrainfromleavingtheranksofhisdrillingcompany，afurlongfromtherocks，andrunningatrecordspeedtowardtheboulders。Forhehadseenthesupposednursepassthatway。AndalmostdirectlyafterwardhehadseenBrucefollowherthither。

Andhecouldguesswhatwouldhappen。

Luckilyforthesakeofdiscipline，theorderof"Breakranks！"

wasgivenbeforeMahancoulddisgracehimselfbysuchunmartialbehavior。And，ontheinstant，theSergeantbrokeintoaruninthedirectionoftherocks。

Wonderingathiseccentricaction，severalofthesoldiersfollowed。Thecompanycaptain，atsightofaknotofhismendashingatbreakneckspeedtowardtheboulders，startedatamoreleisurelypaceinthesamedirection。

Mahanhadreachedtheedgeoftherockswhenhisearsweregreetedbyayellofmortalfear。Thecaptainandtherest，catchingthesound，wentfaster。Screechafterscreechrangfromtherockyenclosure。

Mahanroundedthebigboulderatthecrestoftheridgeandflunghimselfuponthetwocombatants，astheythrashedaboutinatumultuousdualmassontheground。AndjustthenBruceatlastfoundhisgriponStolz\'sthroat。

AstoicalGermansignal-corpsofficer，onahilltopsomemilestoeastward，laidasidehisfield——glassandcalmlyremarkedtoamanathisside"Wehavelostagoodspy！"

SuchwasthesoleepitaphandeulogyofHerrHeinrichStolz，fromhisarmy。

Meantime，SergeantMahanwaspryingloosethecollie\'sferociousjawsfromtheirpreyandwastuggingwithallhismighttodragthedogofftheshriekingspy。Thethroat-hold，henoted，wasabareinchfromthejugular。

Therestofthesoldiers，rushinguppell-mell，helpedhimpulltheinfuriatedBrucefromhisvictim。Thespectacleoftheiradmireddog-hero，somurderouslymaulingawomanoftheRedCross，dazedthemwithhorror。

"TakehimAWAY！"bellowedStolz，deliriouswithpainandfear。

"He\'sKILLEDme——dergottverdammteTeufelhund！"

Andnowthecrazedvictim\'sunconscioususeofGermanwasnotneededtotelleveryonewithinhearingjustwhoandwhathewas。

Forthequaveringtoneswerenolongerarichcontralto。Theywereathroatybaritone。AndtheaccentwasTeutonic。

"Bruce！"observedTop-SergeantMahannextmorning，"I\'vealwayssaidamanwhokicksadogismoreofacurthanthedogis。Butyou\'llneverknowhownearIcametokickingyouyesterday，whenIcaughtyoumanglingthatfilthyspy。AndBrucie，ifIhadkickedyou，well——I\'dbeprayingatthisminutethatthegoodLordwouldgrowathirdlegonme，sothatIcouldkickmyselfallthewayfromheretoBerlin！"

CHAPTERVI。TheWerewolfWhenBruceleftthequietpeaceofThePlaceforthehelloftheWesternFront，ithadbeenstipulatedbytheMistressandtheMasterthatifeverheweredisabled，heshouldbeshippedbacktoThePlace，attheirexpense。

ItwasastipulationmaderathertosoothetheMistress\'ssorrowatpartingfromherlovedpetthaninanyhopethatitcouldbefulfilled；fortheaveragelifeofacourierdogonthebattle-

frontwastragicallyshort。Andhisfatewasmorethanordinarilycertain。Ifthebochebulletsandshrapnelhappenedtomisshim，therewerecountlessdiseases——bredoftrenchandofhardshipandofabominablefood——tokillhim。

TheRedCrossappealraisedcountlessmillionsofdollarsandbroughtrescuetoinnumerablehumanwarriors。Butincaringforhumans，thegenerosityofmostgiversreacheditslimit；andtheBlueCross——"forthereliefofdogsandhorsesinjuredintheserviceoftheAllies"——wasforcedtotakewhatitcouldget。Yetmanyaman，andmanyabodyofmen，owedlifeandsafetytotheheroismofsomewar-dog，adogwhichsurelymeritedspecialcarewhenitsowncertainhourofagonystruck。

Bruce\'swarmestoverseasfriendsweretobefoundintheranksofthemixedFranco-Americanregiment，nicknamedthe"Here-We-Comes。"Rightgallantly，inmorethanonetightplace，hadBrucebeenofusetothe"Here-We-Comes。"Onhisofficialvisitstotheregiment，hewasalwaysreceivedwithajoyouswelcomethatwouldhaveturnedanyheadlesssteadythanathoroughbredcollie\'s。

Bruceenjoyedthistreatment。Heenjoyed，too，thefood-daintieswherewiththe"Here-We-Comes"pliedhim。ButtonomaninthearmywouldhegivetheadoringpersonalloyaltyhehadleftatThePlacewiththeMistressandtheMaster。Thosetwowerestillhisonlygods。AndhemissedthemandhissweetlifeatThePlacemostbitterly。Yethewastoogoodasoldiertomope。

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Formonthsthe"Here-We-Comes"hadbeenquarteredina"quiet"——oronlyoccasionallytumultuous——sector，nearChateau-Thierry。Thenthecomparativequietallatonceturnedtopandemonium。

Alankyanddegenerateyouth（whobeforethewarhadbeenunlovinglyknownthroughoutEuropeasthe"WhiteRabbit"andwhonowwasmentionedindispatchesasthe"CrownPrince"）hadsucceededinleadingsomehalf-millionfellow-Germansintoa"pocket"thathadlatelybeenmerelyasalient。

Fromthethreelowersidesofthepocket，theAlliesecstaticallyflungthemselvesupontheirtrappedfoesinalaudableefforttocrushthehalf-millionbochesandtheirrabbit-facedprincelingintosurrenderbeforethelattercouldgetoutofthesnare，andtotheshelterofthehighgroundandthereenforcementsthatlaybehindit。TheGermansobjectedmoststrenuouslytothiscrushingprocess。Andthethreebeleaguerededgesofthepocketbecameatriple-sectionofhell。

Itwasaperiodwhennoone\'snerveswereinanydegreenormal——

leastofallthenervesoftheeternallyhammeredGermans。EventhefiercelyadvancingFranco-Americans，the"Here-We-Comes，"hadlostthegrimlyhumorouscomposurethathadbeentheirs，andwaxedsullenandferociousintheireagerness。

ThusitwasthatBrucemissedhiswontedlyuproariouswelcomeashecantered，atsunsetoneJulyday，intoasmashedfarmsteadwherehisfriends，the"Here-We-Comes，"werebivouackedforthenight。Byinstinct，thebigdogseemedtoknowwheretofindthetemporaryregimentalheadquarters。

Hetrottedpastasentry，intoanunroofedcattle-shedwherethecolonelwasbusilyscribblingadetailedreportoftheworkdonebythe"Here-We-Comes"duringthatday\'sdrive。

Comingtoahaltbythecolonel\'sside，Brucestoodexpectantlywagginghisplumytailandwaitingforthefoldedmessagefromdivisionheadquarterstobetakenoffhiscollar。

Usually，onsuchvisits，thecolonelmademuchofthedog。To-dayhemerelyglancedupabstractedlyfromhiswriting，atsightofBruce\'ssilkenheadathisside。Heunfastenedthemessage，readit，frownedandwentonwithhisreport。

Brucecontinuedtowaghistailandtolookupwistfullyforthewontedpettingandwordofcommendation。Butthecolonelhadforgottenhisexistence。Sopresentlythecollieweariedofwaitingforacaressfromamanwhosecaresses，atbest，hedidnotgreatlyvalue。Heturnedandstrolledoutoftheshed。Hismessagedelivered，heknewhewasatlibertytoamusehimselfashemightchooseto，untilsuchtimeashemustcarrybacktohisgeneralareplytothedispatchhehadbrought。

Fromoutsidecamethevoicesoftiredandloungingsoldiers。A

travelingkitchenhadjustbeensetupnearby。Fromitaroseablendofsmellsthatweremightytemptingtoahealthilyhungrydog。Thither，atadecorousbutexpectantpace，Brucebenthissteps。

Top-SergeantMahanwasgazingwithsolicitousinterestuponthetoilofthecooksatthewheeledkitchen。Besidehim，sharinghisconcerninthesupperpreparations，wasMahan\'sclosestcrony，oldSergeantVivier。ThewizenedlittleFrenchman，asaboy，hadbeeninthesurrenderofSedan。Nightly，eversince，hehadbesoughtthesaintstogivehim，someday，atinyshareintheavengingofthatblackdisgrace。

MahanandVivierwerethewarmestofBruce\'smanyadmirersinthe"Here-We-Comes。"Ordinarilyadualwhoopofjoyfromthemwouldhavegreetedhisadvent。Thisafternoontheymerelychirpedabstractedlyathim，andMahanpattedhimcarelesslyontheheadbeforereturningtotheinspectionofthecookingfood。

Sinceanhourbeforedawn，bothmenhadbeeninhotaction。Thecommandforthe"Here-We-Comes"toturnasideandbivouacforthenighthadbeenasharpdisappointmenttothem，aswellastoeveryunwoundedmanintheregiment。

Whenagamblerisinthemiddleofawinningstreak，whenanathletefeelshehastheraceinhisownhands，whenabusinessmanhasallbutclosedthedealthatmeansfortunetohim——atsuchcrisesitismaddeningtobehaltedattheveryvergeoftriumph。Buttosoldierswho，aftermonthsofreverses，atlasthavetheirhatedfoeontherun，suchacheckdoesoddthingstotemperandtonerves。

Insuchplightwerethemenofthe"Here-We-Comes，"onthislateafternoon。MahanandVivierweretooseasonedandtoosanetogivewaytotheburstsoftemperandtheswirlsofblasphemythatswayedsomanyoftheircomrades。Neverthelesstheywereglumandsilentandhadnoheartforjollywelcomings，——eventosodearafriendasBruce。

Experiencetoldthemthatasquaremealwouldworkmiraclesinthewayofcalmingandbracingthem。Hence，apartfromstarkhunger，theirinterestinthecookingofsupper。

Brucewastoomuchaphilosopher——andnotdevotedenoughtohissoldierfriends——tobehurtatthelackofwarmthinthegreeting。Withtheairofanepicure，hesniffedatthecontentsofoneofthekitchen\'sbubblingkettles。Thenhewalkedoffandcurledhimselfcomfortablyonapileofbedding，theretorestuntilsuppershouldbeready。

Severaltimes，ashelaythere，soldierspassedandrepassed。Oneortwoofthemsnappedtheirfingersatthedogorevenstooped，inpassing，tostrokehishead。Butonthefacesofallofthemwasunrestandacertainwolfisheagerness，whichprecludedplayingwithpetsatsuchatime。Thehotzestoftheman-huntwasuponthem。Itwasgnawingintheveinsofthenewestrecruit，ever，asintheheartoftheusuallyself-containedcoloneloftheregiment。

Thecolonel，infact，hadbeensocarriedawaybythejoyofseeinghismendrivethehatedgraycoatsbeforethemthatdaythathehadoversteppedthespiritofhisownordersfromthedivisioncommander。

Inbrief，hehadmadenoeffortto"dress"hiscommand，intheadvance，upontheregimentstoeithersideofit。Asaresult，whenthesignaltobivouacforthenightwasgiven，the"Here-We-

Comes"weresomethinglikeamileaheadoftheregimentwhichshouldhavebeenattheirimmediateright，andnearlytwomilesinfrontofthebrigadeattheirleft。

Inotherwords，the"Here-We-Comes"nowoccupiedasalientoftheirown，aheadoftherestoftheFrancoAmericanline。Itwasinrebukeforthisbitofgoodprogressandbadtacticsthatthedivisioncommanderhadwrittentothecolonel，inthedispatchwhichBrucehadbrought。

Germanairmen，sailingfarabove，anddodgingasbesttheycouldthechargesoftheAllied\'planes，hadjustnotedthatthe"Here-

We-Comes""salient"wasreallynosalientatall。Sofarhaditadvancedthat，forthemoment，itwasoutoftouchwiththerestofthedivision。Itwas，indeed，inanexcellentpositiontobecutoffanddemolishedbyadashingnightattack。AndareporttothiseffectwasdeliveredtoafuminglydistractedGermanmajorgeneral，whoyearnedforachancetoatoneinsomewayfortheday\'sshamefulreverses。

"Iftheyhadn\'thaltedusandmadeuscallitaday，justasweweregettingintoourstride，"loudlygrumbledoneYankeeprivatetoanotherasthetwoclumpeduptothekitchen，"we\'dhavebeeninFere-en-Tardenoisbynow。Whatlazyguyisrunningthisdrive，anyhow？"

"ThesamelazyguythatwillstickyouintothehoosgowforinsubordinationandleaveyoutodoyourbittherewhiletherestofusstrollontoBerlin！"snappedTop-SergeantMahan，wheelinguponthegrumbler。"Tillyoulearnhowtoobeyorderswithoutgrouching，itisn\'tuptoyoutoknockwisermen。Shutup！"

ThoughMahan\'stoneofreproofwasprofessionallyharsh，hisspiritwasnotinhiswords。Andthesilencedprivateknewit。Heknew，too，thatthetop-sergeantwasassavageovertheearlyhaltasweretherestofthemen。

Bruce，asarule，whenhehonoredthe"Here-We-Comes"withavisit，spentthebulkofhistimewithMahanandoldVivier。Butto-dayneitherofthesefriendswasaninspiringcompanion。NorweretherestofBruce\'sacquaintancesdisposedtofriendliness。

Wherefore，assoonassupperwaseaten，thedogreturnedtohisheapofbedding，forthehourorsooflazinesswhichNatureteachesallherchildrentodemand，afterafullmeal，——andwhichtheso-called"dumb"animalsaloneareintelligentenoughtotake。

DuskhadmergedintonightwhenBrucegottohisfeetagain。Tapshadjustsounded。Thetiredmengladlyrolledthemselvesintotheirblanketsandfellintoadeadsleep。Asentry-reliefsetforthtoreplacethefirstbatchofsentinelswiththesecond。

Mahanwasoftheparty。Thoughthetopsergeanthadbeenastupidcomrade，thusfarto-day，hewasnowevidentlygoingforawalk。

Andeventhoughitwasaduty-walk，yettheideaofitappealedtothedogafterhislonginaction。

SoBrucegotupandfollowed。Ashecamealongsidethestifflymarchingtop-sergeant，thecolliesofarsubverteddisciplineastothrusthisnose，infriendlygreeting，intoMahan\'sslightlycuppedpalm。Andthetop-sergeantsofarabettedthebreachofdisciplineastogivethecollie\'sheadafurtivepat。Thenightwasdim，asthemoonhadnotrisen；sothemutualcontactofgood-fellowshipwasnotvisibletothemarchingmenoneithersideofMahanandthedog。Anddiscipline，therefore，didnotsuffermuch，afterall。

Atonepostafteranother，asentinelwasrelievedandafreshmantookhisplace。Farthestinfrontofthe"Here-We-Comes"

lines——andnearesttotheGerman——waspostedalankyMissourianwhomBruceliked，amanwhohadawayofdiscoveringinhisdeeppocketsstraybitsoffoodwhichhehadhoardedthereforthecollieanddelightedtodoleouttohim。TheMissourianhadadrawlinglysoftvoicethedogliked，andheusedtotalktoBruceasifthelatterwereanotherhuman。

Forallthesereasons——andbecauseMahanwastoobusyandtoogrumpytobotherwithhim——Bruceelectedtostaywherehewas，forawhile，andsharetheMissourian\'svigil。So，whentherestofthepartymovedalongtothenextsentry-go，thedogremained。

TheMissourianwasonlytoogladtohavehimdoso。Itistediousandstupidtopaceadesolatebeat，alone，atdeadofnight，afteradayofhardfighting。Andthemanwelcomedthecompanionshipofthedog。

Foratime，astheMissourianpacedhissolitarystretchofbrokenandshrub-grownground，Brucegravelypacedtoandfroathisside。Butpresentlythisaimlesspromenadebegantowaxuninteresting。And，asthetwocametothefarendofthebeat，Bruceyawnedandlaydown。Itwaspleasantertoliethereandtowatchthesentineldothewalking。

Stretchedout，inalittlegrass-hollow，thedogfollowedblinkinglywithhissoftbrowneyesthependulumlikeprogressofhisfriend。Andalwaysthedog\'splumedtailwouldbeatrhythmicwelcomeagainstthegroundasthesentryapproachedhim。

Thusnearlyanhourworeon。Afatmoonbutteditslazywaythroughthesmoke-mistsoftheeasternskyline。

Thensomethinghappened——somethingthatBrucecouldreadilyhaveforestalledifthewindhadbeenblowingfromtheotherdirection，andifadog\'seyeswerenotasnearsightedashisnoseisfarsmelling。

TheMissourianpausedtorunhishandcaressinglyoverthecollie\'sroughmane，andmovedon，downthelonelybeat。Brucewatchedhisrecedingfigure，drowsily。Attheendofninetyyardsormore，theMissourianpassedbyabunchoflowbusheswhichgrewatthenearsideofastretchofhillyandshellpockedground。Hemovedpastthebushes，stillwatchedbythesomewhatboreddog。

ItwasthenthatBrucesawapatchofbushshadowdetachitselffromtherest，undertheglowoftherisingmoon。Theshadowwashumpyandsquat。Noiseless，itglidedoutfromamongthebushes，closeatthesentry\'sheels，andcreptafterhim。

Bruceprickedhisearsandstartedtogetup。Hiscuriositywasroused。Thedirectionofthewindpreventedhimfromsmellingoutthenatureofthemystery。Italsokepthiskeenhearingfromsupplyinganyclue。Andthedistancewouldnotpermithimtoseewithanydistinctness。

Stillhiscuriositywasverymild。Surely，ifdangerthreatened，thesentinelwouldrealizeit。ForbythistimetheShadowwasabarethreefeetbehindhimnearenough，byBruce\'ssystemoflogic，fortheMissouriantohavesmelledandheardthepursuer。

SoBrucegotup，inthemostleisurelyfashion，preparatorytostrollingacrosstoinvestigate。Butatalmosthisfirststephesawsomethingthatchangedhisgracefullyslouchingwalkintoachargingrun。

TheShadowsuddenlyhadmergedwiththesentinel。Foraninstant，instarksilence，thetwoseemedtoclingtogether。ThentheShadowfled，andthelankyMissourianslumpedtotheearthinasprawlingheap，histhroatcut。

Theslayerhadbeenadefthandatthejob。NosoundhadescapedtheMissourian，fromthemomentthestranglinglytightleftarmhadbeenthrownaroundhisthroatfrombehinduntil，asecondlater，hefellbleedingandlifeless。

Intwentyleapingstrides，Brucecameuptotheslainsentinelandbentoverhim。Dog-instincttoldthecolliehisfriendhadbeendonetodeath。Andthedog\'spowerofscenttoldhimitwasaGermanwhohaddonethekilling。

Formanymonths，BrucehadbeenfamiliarwiththescentofGermansoldiers，sodifferentfromthatofthearmyinwhichhetoiled。

Andhehadlearnedtohateit，evenasadoghatesthevague"crushedcucumber"smellofapitviper。Butwhileeverydogdreadstheviper-smellasmuchasheloathesit，Brucehadnofearatallofthebocheodor。Instead，italwaysawokeinhimablood-lust，asfierceasanythathadburnedinhiswolf-

ancestors。

Thissamefuryswepthimnow，ashestood，quivering，abovethebodyofthekindlymanwhosolatelyhadpettedhim；thisandacravingtorevengethemurderofhishumanfriend。

Forthebriefesttime，Brucestoodthere，hisdarkeyesabrimwithunhappinessandbewilderment，ashegazeddownonthehuddledforminthewetgrass。Thenanelectricchangecameoverhim。Thesoftnessfledfromhiseyes，leavingthembloodshotandblazing。Hisgreattawnyruffbristledlikeanangrycat\'s。Thelazygracefulnessdepartedfromhismightybody。Itbecametenseandterrible。Inthegrowingmoonlighthisteethgleamedwhitelyfromunderhisupcurledlip。

Inaflashheturnedandsetoffatalopingrun，noseclosetoground，hislongstridedeceptivelyswift。Thezestoftheman-

hunthadobsessedhim，ascompletelyas，thatday，ithadspurredtheadvanceofthe"Here-We-Comes。"

Thetrailoftheslayerwasfresh，evenoversuchbrokenground。

FastastheGermanhadfled，Brucewasflyingfaster。Despitethemurderer\'slongstart，thedogspeedilycutdownthedistancebetweenhisquarryandhimself。Nottrustingtosight，butsolelytohisunerringsenseofsmell。Brucespedon。

Then，inamomentortwo，hishearingre-enforcedhisscent。Hecouldcatchthepad-pad-padofrunningfeet。Andtheincreasingofthesoundtoldhimhewasgainingfast。

Butinanotherboundhisearstoldhimsomethingelse——somethinghewouldhaveheardmuchsooner，hadnotthenightwindbeensettingsostronglyintheotherdirection。Heheardnotonlythepoundingofhisprey\'sheavy-shodfeet，butthesoftthudofhundreds——perhapsthousands——ofotherarmyshoes。Andnow，despitetheadversewind，theodorofinnumerablesoldierscametohisfiercelysniffingnostrils。Notonlywasitthescentofsoldiers，butofGermansoldiers。

Forthefirsttime，Bruceliftedhisheadfromtheground，asheran，andpeeredinfrontofhim。Themoonhadrisenabovethelow-lyinghorizonvaporsintoaclearsky，andthereachofcountrywassharplyvisible。

Brucesawthemanhewaschasing，——sawhimplainly。TheGermanwasstillrunning，butnotatallasonewhofleesfromperil。Heran，rather，asmightthebearerofgladtidings。Andhewasevennowdrawinguptoagroupofmenwhoawaitedeagerlyhiscoming。

Theremusthavebeenfiftymeninthegroup。Behindthem——inopenformationandasfarasthedog\'snear-sightedeyescouldsee——

weremoremen，andmore，andmore——thousandsofthem，allmovingstealthilyforward。

Now，acollie（inbrain，thoughneverinheart）ismuchmorewolfthandog。Abullterrier，oranAiredale，wouldhavechargedonathisfoe，andwouldhavelethimselfbehackedtopiecesbeforeloosinghisholdontheman。

But——evenasawolfcheckshispursuitofagallopingsheepwhenthelatterdashesintotheguardedfold——Brucecametoanabrupthalt，atsightofthesereenforcements。Hestoodirresolute，stillmadwithvengefulanger，butnotfoolishenoughtoassailawholebrigadeofarmedmen。

Itisquiteimpossible（thoughMahanandVivierusedtoswearitmustbetrue）thatBrucehadthereasoningpowerstofigureoutthewholesituationwhichconfrontedhim。HecouldnothaveknownthataGermanbrigadehadbeensenttotakeadvantageofthe"Here-We-Comes"temporarilyisolatedposition——thatthreesentrieshadbeenkilledinsilenceandthattheirdeathshadleftawidegapthroughwhichthebrigadehopedtocreepunobserveduntiltheyshouldbewithinstrikingdistanceoftheirunsuspectinglyslumberingvictims。

Brucecouldnothaveknownthis。Hecouldnothavegraspedtheslightestfractionoftheidea，beingonlyareal-lifedogandnotafairytaleanimal。ButwhathecouldanddidrealizewasthatamassofdetestedGermanswasmovingtowardhim，andthathecouldnothopetoattackthem，single-handed；also，thathewasnotmindedtoslinkpeacefullyawayandleavehisfriendunavenged。

Thwartedragedraggedfromhisfurrythroatadeepgrowl；agrowlthatresoundedeerilythroughthatsilentplaceofstealthymoves。Andhesteppedmajesticallyforthfromthesurroundinglonggrass，intothefullglareofmoonlight。

Thedeceptiveglowmadehimloomgiganticandblack，andtingedhissnowychestwiththephosphorousgleamofasnowfield。Hiseyesshonelikeawildbeast\'s。

************

CorporalRudolphFreund，oftheKoniginLuiseRegiment，hadjustfinishedhisthree-wordreporttohissuperior。Hehadmerelysalutedandannounced"Heisdead！"

CorporalFreunddidnotthrill，asusual，tothecolonel\'sgruntofapproval。TheCorporalwasworried。HewasaBlackForestpeasant；and，whileironmilitarylifehaddulledhisnativesuperstitions，ithadnotdispelledthem。

Thenightwasmystic，initsoddblendofmoonandshadows。

Howeverhardenedonemaybe，itisanerve-straintocreepthroughlonggrass，likearedIndian，tothemurderofahostilesentinel。AndeveryGermaninthe"Pocket"hadbeenunderfrightfulmentalandphysicalstress，forthepastweek。

CorporalRudolphFreundwasabravemanandabrute。Butthatweekhadsappedhisnerve。Andtheworkofthisnighthadbeentheclimax。Thedesolateground，overwhichhehadcrawledtothekilling，hadsuddenlyseemedpeopledwithevilgnomesandgoblins，whoseexistencenotrueBlackForestpeasantcandoubt。

And，ontherunback，hehadbeencertainheheardsomeunseenmonstertearingthroughtheunderbrushinhotpursuitofhim。Socertainhadhebeen，thathehadredoubledhisspeed。

Therewerenowolvesorotherlargewildanimalsinthatregion。

Whenhehadwriggledtowardtheslow-pacingAmericansentinel，hehadseenandheardnocreatureofanysort。Yethewassurethatonthewaybackhehadbeenpursuedby——bySomething！Andintohisscaredmemory，asheran，hadflashedtheofttoldBlackForesttaleoftheWerewolf——thedevil——beastthatisenteredbythesoulofamurderedmanandwhichtracksthemurderertohisdeath。

GladwastheunnervedCorporalFreundwhenhisrunceasedandhestoodclosetohisgrosslysolidandrank-scentedfellowmenoncemore。AlmosthewasinclinedtolaughathisfearsofthefabledWerewolf——andespeciallyattheideathathehadbeenpursued。Hedrewalongbreathofrelief。Hedrewthebreathin。Buthedidnotatonceexpelit。Foronhisearscamethesoundofahideousmenacinggrowl。

CorporalFreundspunabout，inthedirectionofthemysteriousthreat。Andthere，notthirtyfeetfromhim，intheghostlymoonlight，stoodtheWerewolf！

Thistimetherecouldbenoquestionofoverstrainednervesandofimagination。TheThingwasTHERE！

Horriblyvisibleineverydetail，theWerewolfwasglaringathim。Hecouldseetheredglowofthegiganticdevil-beast\'seyes，thewhiteflashofitsteeth，theghostlyshimmeringofitssnowychest。Thesoulofthemanhehadslainhadtakenthistraditionalformandwashuntingdowntheslayer！AthousandstoriesofFreund\'schildhoodverifiedthefrightfultruth。Andoverwroughthumannature\'sendurancewenttopiecesundertheshock。

Amaniachowlofterrorsplitthemidnightstillness。Shriekaftershriekrenttheair。Freundtumbledconvulsivelytothegroundathiscolonel\'sfeet，grippingtheofficer\'sbootedkneesandscreechingforprotection。Thecolonel，ragingthatthesurpriseattackshouldbeimperiledbysucharacket，beatthefranticmanoverthemouthwithhisheavyfist，kickingferociouslyathisupturnedwrithingface，andsnarlingtohimtobesilent。

TheshowerofblowsbroughtFreundbacktosanity，totheextentofchanginghiscraventerrorintoFear\'ssecondaryphase——theimpulsetostrikebackatthethingthathadcausedthefright。

Rollingoverandoverontheground，undertheimpactofhissuperior\'sfistblowsandkicks，Freundsomehowregainedhisfeet。

Reelinguptothenearestsoldier，thepanic-crazedcorporalsnatchedtheprivate\'srifleandfiredthreetimes，blindly，atBruce。Then，foamingatthemouth，Freundfellheavilytoearthagain，chatteringandtwitchinginafit。

Bruce，atthesecondshot，leapedhighintheair，andcollapsed，inaninertfurryheap，amongthebushes。Therehelay，——hiscareerasacourier-dogforeverended。

CorporalRudolphFreundwasperhapsthebestsniperinhisregiment。Wildlythoughhehadfired，marksman-instincthadguidedhisbullets。Andatsuchcloserangetherewasnomissing。

Brucewenttoearthwithonerifleballthroughhisbody，andanotherinhisleg。Athirdhadreachedhisskull。

Now，thecompleteelementofsurprisewasall-needfulfortheattacktheGermanshadplannedagainstthe"Here-We-Comes。"

Deprivedofthatadvantagetheexpeditionwasdoomedtoutterfailure。For，givenachancetowakeandtorally，theregimentcouldnotpossiblybe"rushed，"invividmoonlight，beforethenearestAlliedforcescouldmoveuptoitssupport。Andthoseforceswereonlyamileorsototherear。Therecanbenopossiblehopeforasurpriseattackuponawell-appointedcampwhenthenight\'sstillnesshasbeenshatteredbyaseriesofmaniacscreamsandbythreeechoingrifle-shots。

Alreadytheguardwasout。Abuglewasblowing。Inanotherminute，thesentry-callswouldlocatethegapmadebythethreemurderedsentinels。

Aswiftgutturalconferenceamongtheleadersofthegray-cladmarauderswasfollowedbythebarkingofequallygutturalcommands。AndtheGermanswithdrewasquietlyandasrapidlyastheyhadcome。

***********

Itwasthemouthingandjabberingofthefit-possessedCorporalRudolphFreundthatdrewtohimthenoticeofasquadofYankeesledbyTop-SergeantMahan，tenminuteslater。Itwastheshudder——accompaniedpointingofthedeliriousman\'sfinger，towardthenearbyclumpofundergrowth，thatrevealedtothemthestillwarmbodyofBruce。

Backtocamp，carriedlovinglyinMahan\'sstrongarms，wentallthatwasleftofthegreatcourier-dog。Backtocamp，propelledbetweentwonone-too-gentlesoldiers，staggeredthefit-riddenCorporalFreund。

Atthecolonel\'squarters，acompellingdoseofstimulantclearedsomeofthemistsfromtheprisoner\'sbrain。Hisnerveandhiswill-powerstillgonetosmash，hebabbledeagerlyenoughofthenightattack，ofthekillingofthesentriesandofhisencounterwiththeWerewolf。

"Isawhimfall！"heraved。"Butheisnotdead。TheWerewolfcanbekilledonlybyasilverbullet，markedwithacrossandblessedbyapriest。Hewilllivetotrackmedown！Lockmewherehecannotfindme，forthesakeofsweetmercy！"

Andinthisway，the"Here-We-Comes"learnedofBruce\'spartinthenight\'saverteddisaster。

OldVivierweptunashamedoverthebodyofthedoghehadloved。

Top-SergeantMahan——thebigtearssplashing，unnoted，fromhisownredeyes——besoughttheFrenchmantostriveforbetterself-

controlandnottosetacry-babyexampletothemen。

Thenagroupofgrim-facedsoldiersdugagrave。And，carriedbyMahanandVivier，thebeautifuldog\'sbodywasbornetoitsresting-place。Athrongofmeninthegraydawnstoodwordlessaroundthegrave。Someoneshamefacedlytookoffhishat。Withequalshamefacedness，everybodyelsefollowedtheexample。

Mahanlaidthedog\'sbodyontheground，atthegrave\'sbrink。

Then，lookingabouthim，heclearedhisthroatnoisilyandspoke。

"Boys，"hebegan，"whenahumandiesforotherhumans，there\'saChristianburialservicereadoverhim。I\'dhaveaskedthechaplaintoreadoneoverBruce，here，ifIhadn\'tknownhe\'dsayno。ButtheBigDogisn\'tgoingtorestwithoutawordsaidoverhisgrave，forallthat。"

Mahanclearedhisthroatnoisilyoncemore，winkedfast，thenwenton：——

"Youcanlaughatme，ifanyofyoufeellikeit。Butthere\'ssomeofyouherewhowouldn\'tbealivetolaugh，ifBrucehadn\'tdonewhathedidlastnight。Hewasonlyjustadog——withnosoul，andwithnolifeafterthisone，Is\'pose。Sohewentaheadanddidhisworkandtooktherisks，andaskednopay。

"Andbyandbyhedied，stilldoinghisworkandaskingnopay。

"Hedidn\'tworkwiththeideaofgettingacrossoraribbonorapromotionorapensionorhisnameinthepaperortomakethecrowdcheerhimwhenhegotbackhome，ortobragtothehomefolksabouthowhewasahero。HejustwentaheadandWASahero。That\'sbecausehewasonlyadog，withnosoul——andnotaman。

"Allofushumansareworkingforsomereward，evenifit\'sonlyforourpayorforthefunofdoingourshare。ButBrucewasaherobecausehewasjustadog，andbecausehedidn\'tknowenoughtobeanythingelsebutahero。

"I\'veheardabouthim，beforehejoinedupwithus。Iguessmostofushave。HelivedupinJersey，somewhere。Withfolksthathadbredhim。I\'llbetayear\'spayhewasmadealotofbythosefolks；andthatitwrenched\'emtolethimgo。Youcouldseehe\'dbeenbroughtupthatway。Lifemust\'a\'beenprettyhappyfortheoldchap，backthere。Thenhewaspickedupandslungintothemiddleofthishell。

"Sowastherestofus，saysyou。Butyou\'rewrong。Thoseofusthatwaitedforthedrafthadourchoiceofgoingtothehoosgow，as\'conscientiousobjectors，\'ifwedidn\'twanttofight。Andeverymother\'ssonofusknewwewasfightingfortheRight；andthatwewasmakingtheworldadecenterandsaferplaceforourgrandchildrenandourwomenfolkstolivein。Wedidn\'tbragaboutGodbeingonourside，likethebochesdo。ItwasenoughforustoknowWEwasonGOD\'SsideandfightingHisgreatfightforHim。WehadpatriotismandreligionandRight，behindus，togiveusstrength。

"Bruciehadn\'taoneofthosethings。Hedidn\'tknowwhathewasherefor——andwhyhe\'dbeenpitchedoutofhisnicehome，intoallthis。Hedidn\'thaveachancetosayYesorNo。Hedidn\'thaveanyspellbinderstotellhimhewasmakingtheworldsafeford\'mocracy。HewasMADEtocome。

"Howwouldanyofushumanshaveacted，ifadeallikethathadbeenhandedtous？We\'d\'a\'grouchedandslackedandmaybedeserted。That\'sbecausewe\'relordsofcreationandhavesoulsandbrainsandsuch。WhatdidBrucedo？Hejumpedintothisgame，withbellson。Heriskedhislifeahundredtimes；andhewasjustasreadytoriskitagainthenextday。

"Yes，andheknewhewasriskingit，too。There\'sblamelittlehedidn\'tknow。Hesawwar-dogs，allaroundhim，chokingtodeathfromgas，orscreamingtheirlivesout，inNoMan\'sLand，whenabitofshellhaddisemboweled\'emorabullethadcrackedtheirbackbones。Hesaw\'emstarvetodeath。Hesaw\'emonebloodymassofscarsandsores。Hesaw\'emdieofpneumoniaandmangeandeveryrottentrenchdisease。Andheknewitmightbehisturn，anytimeatall，todieastheyweredying；andheknewthehumanswastoobusynursingotherhumans，tohavetimetospareoncaringfortortureddogs。（Thoughthosesamedogsweredyingforthehumans，ifitcomestothat。）

"Yes，Bruceknewwhattheendwasboundtobe。Heknewit。Andhekepton，asgayandasbraveasifhewasonaday\'sromp。Heneverflinched。NoteventhattimetheK。O。senthimupthehillforreenforcementsatRache，wheneverysharpshooterinthebochetrencheswaslayingforhim，andwhenthemachinegunsweretrainedonhim，too。Bruceknewhewasrunningintodeath——，thenandadozenothertimes。Andhewentatitlikeawhiteman。

"I\'m——I\'mgettinglongwinded。AndI\'llstop。But——maybeifyouboyswillremembertheBigDog——andwhathedidforus，——whenyougetbackhome，——ifyou\'llrememberhimandwhathedidandwhatthousandsofotherwar-dogshavedone，——thenmaybeyou\'llbemenenoughtopunchthejawofanyguywhogetstosayingthatdogsarenuisancesandthatvivisection\'sagoodthing，andallthat。

Ifyou\'lljustdothatmuch，then——well，thenBrucehasn\'tlivedanddiedfornothing！

"Brucie，oldboy，"bendingtoliftthetawnybodyandloweritintothegrave，"it\'sgood-by。It\'sgood-bytothecleanest，whitestpalthatapoordubofadoughboyeverhad。I——"

Mahangloweredacrossattheclumpofsilentmen。

"IfanybodythinksI\'mcrying，"hecontinuedthickly，"he\'saliar。Igotacold，and——"

"SacrebonDieu！"yelledoldVivier，insanely。"Regarde-donc！Nomd\'unepipe！"

Hekneltquicklybesidethebody，inanecstasyofexcitement。

Theotherscranedtheirneckstosee。Thenfromahundredthroatswentupagaspofamazement。

Bruce，slowlyanddazedly，wasliftinghismagnificenthead！

"Chaseoffforthesurgeon！"bellowedMahan，plumpingdownonhiskneesbesideVivierandexaminingthewoundinthedog\'sscalp。

"Thebulletonlycreasedhisskull！Itdidn\'tgothrough！It\'sjustputhimoutforafewhours，likeI\'veseenitdotomen。

Getthesurgeon！Ifthatbulletinhisbodydidn\'thitsomethingvital，we\'llpullhimaround，yet！GLORYBE！"

***********

ItwaslatesummeragainatThePlace，lateopulentsummer，withthepeaceofgreenearthandbluesky，theheavydroningofbeesandthepromiseofharvest。Thelongshadowsoflateafternoonstretchedlovinglyacrossthelawn，fromthegreatlakesidetrees。Overeverythingbroodedadreamyamberlight。Thewarseemedamillionmilesaway。

TheMistressandtheMastercamedownfromthevine-shadedverandafortheirsunsetwalkthroughthegrounds。Atsoundoftheirstepsonthegravel，ahugedark-brown-and-whitecollieemergedfromhisresting-placeunderthewistaria-arbor。

Hestretchedhimselflazily，foreandaft，incollie-fashion。

ThenhetrotteduptohistwodeitiesandthrusthismuzzleplayfullyintotheMistress\'spalm，ashefellintostepwiththepromenaders。

Hewalkedwithastiffnessinoneforeleg。Hisgaitwasnotalimp。Buttheleg\'sstrengthcouldnolongerbereliedonforaten-milegallop。Alonghisforeheadwasanew-healedbullet-

crease。Andthefuronhissideshadscarcelyyetgrownoverthemarkofthehigh-poweredballwhichhadgoneclearthroughhimwithouttouchingamortalspot。

Truly，theregimentalsurgeonofthe"Here-We-Comes"haddoneajobworthyofhisownhighfame！Andthedog\'swonderfulconditionhaddonetherest。

Apartfromscarsandstiffness，Brucewasnonetheworseforhisyearonthebattle-front。Hecouldservenolongerasadashingcourier。Buthislifeasapetwasinnowayimpaired。

"Here\'ssomethingthatcamebytheafternoonmail，Bruce，"theMastergreetedhim，asthecollierangedalongside。"Itbelongstoyou。Takealookatit。"

TheMasterdrewfromhispocketaleatherbox，andopenedit。Ontheoblongofwhitesatin，withinthecover，waspinnedaverysmallandverythingoldmedal。But，lightasitwas，ithadrepresentedmuchabstinencefromestaminetsandtobacco-shops，onthepartofitsdonors。

"Listen，"theMastersaid，holdingthemedalinfrontofthecollie。"Listen，whileIreadyoutheinscription：\'ToBruce。

Fromsomeoftheboyshesavedfromtheboches。\'"

Brucewassniffingthethingoldlozengeinterestedly。Theinscriptionmeantnothingtohim。But——strongandvividtohistrainednostrils——hescentedonthemedalthelovingfinger-

touchofhisoldfriendandadmirer，TopSergeantMahan。