SunnybankLadwonamillionfriendsthroughmybook，"LAD:A
　　DOG"；andthroughtheLad-anecdotesin"Buff:ACollie。"Thesebooksthemselveswereinnosensegreat。ButLaddiewasgreatineverysense；andhislife-storycouldnotbemarred，pastinterest，bymyclumsywayoftellingit。
　　PeoplehavewritteningratifyingnumbersaskingformorestoriesaboutLad。MorethanseventeenhundredvisitorshavecomeallthewaytoSunnybanktoseehisgrave。SoIwrotethecollectionoftaleswhicharenowincludedin"FurtherAdventuresofLad。"Mostofthemappeared，incondensedform，intheLadies'HomeJournal。
　　Verymuch，Ihopeyoumaylikethem。
　　ALBERTPAYSONTERHUNE"Sunnybank"PomptonLakes，NewJerseyFURTHERADVENTURESOFLAD
　　CHAPTERI。TheComingOfLadInthemile-awayvillageofHampton，therehadbeenaveritableepidemicofburglaries——rangingfromthetheftofabrand-newash-canfromthestepsoftheMethodistchapeltotheravagingofMrs。Blauvelt'swholelinefulofclothes，onawashdaydusk。
　　UptheValleyanddownit，fromTuxedotoRidgewood，therehadbeenahalf-scorerobberiesofaverydifferentorder——depredationswrought，manifestly，byprofessionals；
　　thieveswhosemotorcarsservedthetwentiethcenturypurposeofsuchhistoricsteedsasDickTurpin'sBlackBessandJackShepard'sRanter。Thesetheftswereinthelineofjewelryandthelike；andwereasdaringlywroughtaswerethemodestlocaloperators'raidsonash-canandlaundry。
　　Itistheeasiestthingintheworldtostirhumankind'sever-
　　tenseburglar-nervesintohystericaljangling。Inhouseafterhouse，formilesofthepeacefulNorthJerseyregion，oldpistolswerecleanedandloaded；windowfasteningsanddoorlockswereinspectedandnewhiding-placesfoundforportablefamilytreasures。
　　Acrossthelakefromthevillage，anddowntheValleyfromadozencountryhomes，seepedthetideofprecautions。AnditswirledatlastaroundthePlace，——athirty-acrehomestead，isolatedandsweet，whosegroundsranfromhighwaytolake；andwhosewistaria-cladgrayhousedrowsedamongbigoaksmidwaybetweenroadandwater；afurlongormoredistantfromeither。
　　ThePlace'sfamilydog，——apointer，——haddied，richinyearsandhonor。Andthenewperilofburglarymadeithighlyneedfultochooseasuccessorforhim。
　　TheMastertalkedofbuyingawhalebone-and-steel-and-snowbullterrier，oramoreformidableifmoregreedyGreatDane。ButtheMistresswantedacollie。Sotheycompromisedbygettingthecollie。
　　HereachedthePlaceinacrampyandsmellycrate；precededbyalongenvelopecontaininganintricateandimposingpedigree。Theburglary-preventingproblemseemedsolved。
　　Butwhenthecratewasopenedanditsoccupantsteppedgravelyforth，onthePlace'sveranda，theproblemwasrevived。
　　AlltheMasterandtheMistresshadknownaboutthenewcomer，——apartfromhispriceandloftylineage，——wasthathisbreederhadnamedhim"Lad。"
　　FromthesemeagerfactstheyhadsomehowbuiltupapictureofahugeandgrimlyferociousanimalthatshouldbeaterrortoallintrudersandthatmightintimebeinducedtomakefriendswiththePlace'svouched-foroccupants。Inviewofthis，theyhadhadastoutkennelmadeandtoittheyhadaffixedwithdoublestaplesachainstrongenoughtorestrainabull。
　　ItmayaswellbesaidherethatneverinallthesixteenyearsofhisbeautifullifedidLadoccupythatoranyotherkennelnorwearthatoranyotherchain。
　　EventhecratewhichbroughtthenewdogtothePlacefailedsomehowtodestroytheillusionofsizeandfierceness。But，themomentthecratedoorwasopenedthedelusionwaswreckedbyLadhimself。
　　Outontotheporchhewalked。Theramshacklecratebehindhimhadaridiculousairofachrysalisfromwhichsomebrightthinghaddeparted。Forashaftofsunlightwasshimmeringathwarttheverandafloor。AndintothemiddleofthewarmbarofradianceLaddiestepped，——andstood。
　　Hisfluffypuppy-coatofwavymahogany-and-whitecaughtamillionsunbeams，reflectingthembackintawny-orangeglintsandinadazzleasofsnow。Hisforepawswereabsurdlysmall，evenforapuppy's。Abovethemtheridgingofthestockyleg-bonesgaveasclearpromiseofmightysizeandstrengthasdidtheamazinglydeeplittlechestandsquareshoulders。
　　Hereonedaywouldstandagiantamongdogs，powerfulasatimber-wolf，litheasacat，asdangeroustofoesasanangrytiger；adogwithoutfearortreachery；adogofuncannybrainandgreatlovinglyloyalheartand，withal，adancingsenseoffun。Adogwithasoul。
　　Allthis，anycaninephysiologistmighthavereadfromthecompactframe，theproudhead-carriage，thesmolderinthedeep-setsorrowfuldarkeyes。Tothecasualobserver，hewasbutabeautifulandappealingandwonderfullycuddleablebunchofpuppyhood。
　　Lad'sdarkeyesswepttheporch，thesoftswellinggreenofthelawn，theflashoffire-bluelakeamongthetreesbelow。Then，hedeignedtolookatthegroupofhumansatonesideofhim。
　　Gravely，impersonally，hesurveyedthem；notatallcowedorstrangeinhisnewsurroundings；courteouslyinquisitiveastothetwistofluckthathadsethimdownhereandastothepeoplewho，presumably，weretobehisfuturecompanions。
　　Perhapsthestoutlittleheartquiveredjustabit，ifmemorywentbacktohishomekennelandtotherowdythrongofbrothersandsistersandmostofall，tothesoftfurrymotheragainstwhosesidehehadnestledeverynightsincehewasborn。Butifso，Ladwastoovalianttoshowhomesicknessbysomuchasawhimper。And，assuredly，thisHouseofPeacewasinfinitelybetterthanthemiserablecratewhereinhehadspenttwentyhorribleandjouncingandsmellyandnoisyhours。
　　Fromonetoanotherofthegroupstrayedthelevelsorrowfulgaze。Aftertheswiftinspection，Laddie'seyesrestedagainontheMistress。Foraninstant，hestood，lookingather，inthatmildlypolitecuriositywhichheldnohintofpersonalinterest。
　　Then，allatonce，hisplumytailbegantowave。Intohissadeyessprangaflickerofwarmfriendliness。Unbidden——obliviousofeveryoneelsehetrottedacrosstowheretheMistresssat。Heputonetinywhitepawinherlap；andstoodthus，lookinguplovinglyintoherface，tailawag，eyesshining。
　　"There'snoquestionwhosedoghe'sgoingtobe，"laughedtheMaster。"He'selectedyou，——byacclamation。"
　　TheMistresscaughtupintoherarmsthehalfgrownyoungster，pettinghissilkenhead，runningherwhitefingersthroughhisshiningmahoganycoat；makingcrooninglittlefriendlynoisestohim。
　　Ladforgothewasadignifiedandstatelypocket-editionofacollie。Underthisspell，hechangedinasecondtoanexcessivelylovingandnestlingandadoringpuppy。
　　"Justthesame，"interposedtheMaster，"we'vebeenstung。I
　　wantedadogtoguardthePlaceandtobeamenacetoburglarsandallthatsortofthing。Andthey'vesentusaTeddy-Bear。I
　　thinkI'llshiphimbackandgetagrownone。Whatsortofuseis——？"
　　"Heisgoingtobeallthosethings，"eagerlyprophesiedtheMistress。"Andahundredmore。Seehowhelovestohavemepethim！And，look——he'slearned，already，toshakehands；and——"
　　"Fine！"applaudedtheMaster。"Sowhenitcomesourturntobevisitedbythismotor-Raffles，thepuppywillshakehandswithhim，andregisterloveofpetting；andtheburlymarauderwillbesotouchedbyLad'sfriendlinessthathe'llnotonlyspareourhousebutleadanuprightlifeeverafter。I——"
　　"Don'tsendhimback！"shepleaded。"He'llgrowup，soon，and——"
　　"Andifonlythecourteousburglarswillwaittillhe'sacoupleofyearsold，"suggestedtheMaster，"he——"
　　SetgentlyonthefloorbytheMistress，LaddiehadcrossedtowheretheMasterstood。Theman，glancingdown，metthepuppy'sgaze。Foraninstanthescowledattheminiaturewatchdog，soludicrouslydifferentfromtheferociousbrutehehadexpected。
　　Then，——forsomequeerreason，——hestoopedandranhishandroughlyoverthetawnycoat，lettingitrestatlastontheshapelyheadthatdidnotflinchorwriggleathistouch。
　　"Allright，"bedecreed。"Lethimstay。He'llbeanamusingpetforyou，anyhow。Andhiseyehasthetruethoroughbredexpression，——'thelookofeagles。'Hemayamounttosomethingafterall。Lethimstay。We'lltakeachanceonburglars。"
　　SoitwasthatLadcametothePlace。SoitwasthathedemandedandreceivedduewelcomewhichwaseverLad'sway。TheMasterhadbeenrightaboutthepup'sproving"anamusingpet，"fortheMistress。Fromthatfirsthour，Ladwasneverwillinglyoutofhersight。Hehadadoptedher。TheMaster，too，——inonlyalittlelesserwholeheartedness，——headopted。Towardtherestoftheworld，fromthefirst，hewasfriendlybutmoreorlessindifferent。
　　Almostatonce，hisownersnotedanoddtraitinthedog'snature。Hewouldofcoursegetintoanyorallofthethousandmischief-scrapeswhicharetheheritageofpuppies。But，asinglereproofwasenoughtocurehimforeveroftheparticularformofmischiefwhichhadjustbeenchidden。HewasoneofthoseraredogsthatlearntheLawbyinstinct；andthatrememberforalltimeacommandoraprohibitiononcegiventhem。
　　Forexample:——OnhisseconddayatthePlace，hemadeafuriousrushataneuroticmotherhenandhergoldenconvoyofchicks。
　　TheMistress，——luckilyforallconcerned，——waswithincall。Athersharpsummonsthepuppywheeled，midwayinhischarge，andtrottedbacktoher。Severely，yettryingnottolaughathisworriedaspect，shescoldedLadforhismisdeed。
　　Anhourlater，asLadwasscamperingaheadofher，pastthestables，theyroundedacornerandcameflushuponthesamenerve-wreckedhenandherbrood。Ladhaltedinhisscamper，withasuddennessthatmadehimskid。Then，walkingasthoughoneggs，hemadeanidioticallywidecircleaboutthefeathereddamandhersillychicks。NeverthereafterdidheassailanyofthePlace'sfowls。
　　Itwasthesame，whenhesprangupmerrilyatalineoflaundry，flappinginalluringinvitationfromthedryinggroundlines。A
　　singlewordofrebuke，——andthenceforththefamilywashwassafefromhim。
　　Andsoonwiththemyriadperplexing"Don'ts"whichspatterthecareerofafun-lovingcolliepup。Versedinthepatience-frayingwaysofpupsingeneral，theMistressandtheMastermarveledandbraggedandpraised。
　　Alldayandeveryday，lifewasadelighttothelittledog。Hehadfriendseverywhere，willingtorompwithhim。Hehadsquirrelstochase，amongtheoaks。Hehadthelaketosplashecstaticallyin:Hehadallhewantedtoeat；andhehadallthepettinghishungrylittleheartcouldcrave。
　　Hewasevenallowed，withcertainrestrictions，tocomeintothemysterioushouseitself。Nor，afteronedefiantbarkataleopard-skinrug，didhemolestanythingtherein。Inthehouse，too，hefoundagenuinecave:——awonderfulplacetolieandwatchtheworldatlarge，andtostaycoolinandtopretendhewasawolf。Thecavewasthedeepspacebeneaththepianointhemusicroom。ItseemedtohaveapeculiarcharmtoLad。Totheendofhisdays，bytheway，thiscavewashischosenrestingplace。
　　Nor，inhislifetime，didanyotherdogsetfoottherein。
　　Somuchfor"alldayandeveryday。"Butthenightsweredifferent。
　　Ladhatedthenights。Inthefirstplace，everybodywenttobedandlefthimalone。Inthesecond，hishard-heartedownersmadehimsleeponafluffyruginacorneroftheverandainsteadofinhisdelectablepiano-cave。Moreover，therewasnofoodatnight。Andtherewasnobodytoplaywithortogoforwalkswithortolistento。Therewasnothingbutgloomandsilenceanddullness。Whenapuppytakesfiftycat-napsinthecourseoftheday，hecannotalwaysbeexpectedtosleepthenightthrough。Itistoomuchtoask。AndLad'swakinghoursatnightweretimesofdesolationandofutterboredom。True，hemighthaveconsoledhimself，asdoesmanyalesserpup，withvoicinghiswoesinaseriesofmelancholyhowls。That，intime，wouldhavedrawnplentyofhumanattentiontothelonelyyoungster；eveniftheattentionwerenotwhollyflattering。
　　ButLaddidnotbelongtothehowlingtype。Whenhewasunhappy，hewaxedsilent。Andhissorrowfuleyestookonadeeperwoe。Bytheway，ifthereisanythingmoresorrowfulthantheeyesofacolliepupthathasneverknownsorrow，Ihaveyettoseeit。
　　No，Ladcouldnothowl。Andhecouldnothuntforsquirrels。Fortheseenemiesofhiswerenotcontentwiththeunsportsmanlinessofclimbingoutofhisreachinthedaytime，whenhechasedthem；
　　buttheyaddedtotheirsinsbyjoiningtherestoftheworld，——exceptLad，——insleepingallnight。EventhelakethatwassofriendlybydaywasachillyandforbiddingplayfellowonthecoolNorthJerseynights。
　　Therewasnothingforapoorlonelypuptodobutstretchoutonhisrugandstareinunhappysilenceupthedriveway，intheimpossiblehopethatsomeonemighthappenalongthroughthedarknesstoplaywithhim。
　　Atsuchanhourandinsuchlonesomeness，Ladwouldgladlyhavetossedasideallprejudicesofcaste，——andallhisnaturaldislikes，andwouldhavefrolickedinmadjoywiththeverieststranger。Anythingwasbetterthanthisdrearsolitudethroughoutthemillionhoursbeforethefirstofthemaidsshouldbestirringorthefirstofthefarmhandsreportforwork。Yes，nightwasadisgustingtime；andithadnotonesingleredeemingtraitforthepuppy。
　　Ladwasnotevenconsoledbytheknowledgethathewasguardingtheslumbroushouse。Hewasnotguardingit。Hehadnottheveryremotestideawhatitmeanttobeawatchdog。Inallhisfivemonthshehadneverlearnedthatthereisunfriendlinessintheworld；orthatthereisanythingtoguardahouseagainst。
　　True，itwasinstinctivewithhimtobarkwhenPeoplecamedownthedrive，orappearedatthegateswithoutwarning。ButmorethanoncetheMasterhadbiddenhimbesilentwhenaracketyPuppysalvoofbarkinghadbrokeninonthearrivalofsomeguest。AndLadwasstillinperplexeddoubtastowhetherbarkingwassomethingforbiddenormerelylimited。
　　Onenight，——asolemn，black，breathlessAugustnight，whenhalf-visibleheatlightningturnedthemurkofthewesternhorizontopulsesofdirtysulphur，Ladawokefromafitfuldreamofchasingsquirrelswhichhadneverlearnedtoclimb。
　　Hesatuponhisrug，blinkingaroundthroughthegloominthehalfhopethatsomeofthosenon-climbingsquirrelsmightstillbeinsight。Astheywerenot，hesighedunhappilyandpreparedtolayhisclassicyoungheadbackagainontherugforanotherspellofnight-shorteningsleep。
　　But，beforehisheadcouldtouchtherug，hereareditandhalfofhissmallbodyfromthefloorandfocusedhisnearsightedeyesonthedriveway。Atthesametime，histailbegantowagathumpingwelcome。
　　Now，byday，adogcannotseesofarnorsoclearlyascanahuman。Butbynight，——forcomparativelyshortdistances，——hecanseemuchbetterthancanhismaster。Bydayorbydarkness，hiskeenhearingandkeenerscentmakeupforalldefectsofeyesight。
　　AndnowthreeofLad'ssensestoldhimhewasnolongeraloneinhistediousvigil。Downthedrive，movingwithamusingslownessandsilence，amanwascoming。Hewasonfoot。Andhewasfairlywelldressed。Dogs，theforemostsnobsincreation，——arequicktonotethedifferencebetweenawell-cladandadisreputablestranger。
　　Hereunquestionablywasavisitor:——somesuchmanassooftencametothePlaceandpaidsuchflatteringattentiontothepuppy。NolongerneedLadbeboredbythesolitudeofthisparticularnight。Someonewascomingtowardsthehouse；——andcarryingasmallbagunderhisarm。Someonetomakefriendswith。
　　Ladwasveryhappy。
　　Deepinhisthroatawelcomingbarkwasborn。Buthestilledit。
　　Once，whenhehadbarkedattheapproachofastranger，thestrangerhadgoneaway。Ifthisstrangerweretogoaway，allthenight'sfunwouldgowithhim。Also，nolaterthanyesterday，theMasterhadscoldedLadforbarkingatamanwhohadcalled。
　　Whereforethedogheldhispeace。
　　Gettingtohisfeetandstretchinghimself，foreandaft，intruecolliefashion，thepupgamboledupthedrivetomeetthevisitor。
　　Themanwasfeelinghiswaythroughthepitchdarkness，gropingcautiously；haltingonceortwiceforasmolderoflightningtosilhouettethehousehewasnearing。Inawoodedlane，aquartermileaway，hislightlessmotorcarwaited。
　　Ladtrotteduptohim，thetinywhitefeetnoiselessinthesoftdustofthedrive。Themandidnotseehim，butpassedsoclosetothedog'shospitablyupthrustnosethatheallbuttouchedit。
　　Onlyslightlyrebuffedatsuchchilllackofcordiality，Ladfellinbehindhim，tailawag，andfollowedhimtotheporch。Whentheguestshouldringthebell，theMasteroroneofthemaidswouldcometothedoor。Therewouldbelightsandtalk；andperhapsLaddiehimselfmightbeallowedtoslipintohisbelovedcave。
　　Butthemandidnotring。Hedidnotstopatthedooratall。Ontiptoeheskirtedtheverandatotheold-fashionedbaywindowsatthesouthsideofthelivingroom；windowswithcatchesasold-fashionedandassimpletoopenasthemselves。
　　Ladpaddedalong，apaceorsototherear；——stillhopefulofbeingpettedorperhapsevenrompedwith。Themangaveafaintbutpromisingsignofintenttoromp，byswinginghissmallandveryshinybrownbagtoandfroashewalked。ThuseverdidtheMasterswingLad'spreciouscantonflanneldollbeforethrowingitforhimtoretrieve。Ladmadeatentativesnapatthebag，histailwaggingharderthanever。Buthemissedit。And，inanothermomentthemanstoppedswingingthebagandtuckeditunderhisarmagainashebegantomumblewithabitofsteel。
　　Therewastheveryfaintestofclicks。Then，noiselesslythewindowslidupward。Asecondfumblingsentthewoodeninsideshuttersajar。Themanworkedwithnouncertainty。EversincehisvisittothePlace，aweekearlier，behindtheaegisofabigandbrightandnewlyforgedtelephone-inspectorbadge，hehadcarriedinhistrainedmemorythelocationofwindowsandofobstructingfurnitureandoftheprimitivesmallsafeinthelivingroomwall，withitspitifullypickablelock；——thesafewhereinthePlace'sfewbitsofvaluablejewelryandothercompacttreasuresreposedatnight。
　　Ladwastemptedtofollowthecreepingbodyandthefascinatinglyswingingbagindoors。Buthisoneefforttoenterthehouse，——withmuddypaws，——bywayofanopenwindow，hadbeenrebukedbytheLawgivers。Hehadbeenledtounderstandthatreallywell-bredlittledogscomeinbywayofthedoor；andthenonlyonpermission。
　　Sohewaited，doubtfully，attheverandaedge；inthehopethathisnewfriendmightreappearorthattheMastermightperhapswanttoshowoffhispuptothecaller，assooftentheMasterwaswonttodo。
　　Headcockedtooneside，tulipearsalert，Laddiestoodlistening。Tothekeenesthumanearsthethief'ssoftprogressacrossthewidelivingroomtothewall-safewouldhavebeenallbutinaudible。ButLadcouldfolloweveryphaseofit；thecautiousskirtingofeachchair；thehesitantpauseasabitofancientfurniturecreaked；thehaltinfrontofthesafe；thequeergrindingnoise，muffledbutpersevering，atthelock；thenthefaintcreakoftheswingingirondoor，andthedeftgropingoffingers。
　　Soon，themanstartedbacktowardthepaleoblongofgloomwhichmarkedthewindow'soutlinesfromthesurroundingblack。Lad'stailbegantowagagain。Apparently，thiseccentricpersonwascomingout，afterall，tokeephimcompany。Now，themanwaskneelingonthewindow-seat。Now，ingingerlyfashion，hereachedforwardandsetthesmallbagdownontheveranda；beforenegotiatingtheclimbacrossthebroadseat，——aclimbthatmightwellcallfortheuseofbothhishands。
　　Ladwasentranced。Herewasagameheunderstood。Thus，morethanonce，hadtheMistresstossedouttohimhisflanneldoll，ashehadstoodinpatheticinvitationontheporch，lookinginatherasshereadortalked。Shehadlaughedathiswildtossingsandothermaltreatmentsofthelimpdoll。Hehadfelthewasscoringarealhit。Andthishithedecidedtorepeat。
　　Snatchinguptheswollenlittlesatchel，almostbeforeitlefttheintruder'shand，Ladshookit，joyously，revelinginthefaintclinkandjingleofthecontents。Hebackedplayfullyaway；
　　thebag-handleswinginginhisjaws。Crouchinglow，hewaggedhistailinardentinvitationtothestrangertochasehimandgetbackthesatchel。ThusdidtheMasterrompwithLad，whentheflanneldollwastheprizeoftheirgame。AndLadlovedsuchraces。
　　Yes，thestrangerwasacceptingtheinvitation。Themomenthehadcrawledoutontheverandahereacheddownforthebag。Asitwasnotwherehethoughthehadleftit，heswunghisgropinghandforwardinahalf-circle，hisfingerssweepingthefloor。
　　Makethatenticingmotion，directlyinfrontofaplayfulcolliepup；speciallyifhehassomethinghedoesn'twantyoutotakefromhim；——andwatchtheeffect。
　　Instantly，Ladwasathrillwiththespiritofthegame。Inonescurryingbackwardjump，hewasofftheverandaandonthelawn，tailvibrating，eyesdancing；satchelheldtantalizinglytowardsitswould-bepossessor。
　　Thelightsoundofhisbodytouchinggroundreachedtheman。
　　Reasoningthatthesweepofhisownarmhadsomehowknockedthebagofftheporch，heventuredofftheedgeoftheverandaandflashedaswathedrayofhispocketlightalongthegroundinsearchofit。
　　Theflashlight'slenswascleverlymuffled；inawaytogiveforthbutasinglesubduedfingerofillumination。Thatonebriefglimmerwasenoughtoshowthethiefarightimpossiblesight。
　　Theglowstruckansweringlightsfromthepolishedsidesofthebrownbag。Thebagwashanginginair，somesixinchesabovethegrassandperhapsfivefeetawayfromhim。Thenhesawitswigfrivolouslytoonesideandvanishinthenight。
　　Theastonishedmanhadseenmore。Feeblewastheflashlight'sshroudedray，toofeebletooutlineagainstthenightthesmalldarkbodybehindtheshiningbrownbag。Butthatsameraycaughtandreflectedbacktotheincredulousbeholdertwosplashesofpalefire；——glintsfromapairofdeep-setcollie-eyes。
　　Asthebagdisappeared，theeeriefire-pointsweregone。Thethiefallbutdroppedhisflashlight。Hegapedinnervousdread；
　　andsoughtvainlytoaccountforthewitch-workhehadwitnessed。
　　Hehadplentyofnerve。Hehadplentyofexperiencealonghischosenlineofendeavor。But，whileacrookmaycontrolhisnerve，hecannotmakeitphlegmaticorsteady。Always，hemustbeconsciousofholdingitincheck，asacleverdriverchecksandsteadiesandkeepsinsubjectionaplunginghorse。Letthevigilanceslacken，andthereisarunaway。
　　Nowthisparticularmarauderhadlongagokeyedhisnervetothechanceofinterruptionfromsomegun-brandishinghouseholder；andtothepossiblepursuitofpolice；andtotheneedoffightingoroffleeing。Butallhispreparationshadnottakenintoaccountthisnewestemergency。Hehadnotsteeledhimselftowatchunmovedtheglidingawayofatreasure-satchel，apparentlymovingofitsownwill；northeshimmeroftwogreenishsparksintheairjustaboveit。And，foraninstant，themanhadtobattleagainstacravendesiretobolt。
　　Lad，meanwhile，washavingabeautifultime。Sincerely，heappreciatedtheplayfulgrabhisnocturnalfriendhadmadeinhisgeneraldirection。Ladhadcounteredthis，byfriskingawayforanotherfiveorsixfeet，andthenwheelingabouttofaceoncemorehisplayfellowandtoawaitthenextmoveintheblithegambol。Thepupcouldseetolerablywell，inthedarknessquitewellenoughtoplaythegamehisguesthaddevised。Andofcourse，hehadnowayofknowingthatthemancouldnotseeequallywell。
　　Shakingoffhismomentaryterror，thethiefoncemorepressedthebuttonofhisflashlight；swingingthetorchinaswiftsemicircleandextinguishingitatonce；lestthedimglowbeseenbyanywakefulmemberofthefamily。
　　Thatonequicksweeprevealedtohisgazetheshinybrownbagahalf-dozenfeetaheadofhim，stillswingingseveralinchesaboveground。Heflunghimselfforwardatit；refusingtobelievehealsosawthatqueerdoubleglowofpalelightjustabove。Hedivedforthesatchelwiththespeedandtheaccuracyofafootballtackle。Andthatwasallthegooditdidhim。
　　Perhapsthereissomethinginnaturemoreagileanddismayinglyelusivethanarompingyoungcollie。Butthat"something"isnotamortalman。Asthethiefsprang，Ladspranginunisonwithhim；
　　dartingtotheleftandayardorsobackward。Hecametoanexpectantstandstilloncemore；histailwildlyvibrating，hisentirefurrybodytinglingwiththegladexcitementofthegame。
　　Thissportivevisitorofhiswasaveritablegodsend。Ifonlyhecouldbecoaxedintocomingtoplaywithhimeverynight——！
　　Butpresentlyhenotedthattheotherseemedtohaveweariedofthegame。Afterplungingthroughtheairandlandingonallfourswithhisgraspinghandsclosingonnothingness，themanhadremainedthus，asifdazed，forasecondorso。Thenhehadfeltthegroundallabouthim。Then，bewildered，hehadscrambledtohisfeet。Nowhewasstanding，moveless，hislipsworking。
　　Yes，heseemedtobetiredofthelovelygame；——andjustwhenLaddiewasbeginningtoenterintothefullspiritofit。Onceinawhile，theMistressortheMasterstoppedplaying，duringtherompswiththeflanneldoll。AndLaddiehadlongsincehitonatrickforrevivingtheirinterest。Heemployedthisrusenow。
　　Asthemanstood，puzzledandscared，somethingbrushedverylightly，-evencoquettishly，——againsthisknuckles。Hestartedinnervousfright。Aninstantlater，thesamethingbrushedhisknucklesagain，thistimemoreinsistently。Theman，inaspurtoffear-drivenrage，grabbedattheinvisibleobject。HisfingersslippedalongthesmoothsidesofthebewitchedbagthatLadwasshovinginvitinglyathim。
　　Briefaswasthecontact，itwaslongenoughforthethief'ssensitivefingertipstorecognizewhattheytouched。Andbothhandswerebroughtsuddenlyintoplay，inamadsnatchfortheprize。Thetenavidfingersmissedthebag；andcametogetherwithclawingforce。But，beforetheymet，thefingertipsofthelefthandtelegraphedtotheman'sbrainthattheyhadhadmomentarylightexperiencewithsomethinghairyandwarm，——somethingthathadslipped，eel-like，pastthemintothenight；——somethingthatmostassuredlywasnosatchel，butALIVE！
　　Theman'sthroatcontracted，ingaggingfright。And，asbefore，fearscourgedhimtofeverishrage。
　　Recklesslyhepressedtheflashlight'sbutton；andswungthemuffledbaroflightineverydirection。Inhisotherhandheleveledthepistolhehaddrawn。Thistimetheshadedrayrevealedtohimnotonlyhisbag，but，——vaguely，——theThingthatheldit。
　　Hecouldnotmakeoutwhatmannerofcreatureitwaswhichgrippedthesatchel'shandleandwhoseeyespulsedbackgreenishflaresintothetorch'sdimglow。Butitwasananimalofsomekind；——distortedandformlessinthewaveringfingerofbluntedlight；butstillananimal。Notaghost。
　　Andfeardeparted。Theintruderfearednothingmortal。Themysteryinpartexplained，hedidnotbothertopuzzleouttheremainderofit。Impossibleasitseemed，hisbagwascarriedbysomelivingthing。Allthatremainedforhimwastocapturethething，andrecoverhisbag。Theweaklightstillturnedon，hegavechase。
　　Lad'sspiritsarosewithabound。Hisrusehadsucceeded。Hehadreawakenedinthiseasily-discouragedchumanewinterestinthegame。Andhegamboledacrossthelawn，fairlywrigglingwithdelight。Hedidnotwishtomakehisfriendloseinterestagain。
　　Soinsteadofdashingoffatfullspeed，hefriskeddaintily，justoutofreachoftheclawinghand。
　　Andinthispleasantfashionthetwoplayfellowscoveredahundredyardsofground。Morethanonce，themancamewithinaninchofhisquarry。Butalways，bythemostimperceptiblespurtofspeed，Laddiearrangedtokeephimselfandhisdearsatchelfromcapture。
　　Then，innotimeatall，thegameended；andwithitendedLad'sbabyfaithinthefriendlinessandtrustworthinessofallhumannature。
　　Realizingthatthesoundofhisownstumblinglyrunningfeetandtheintermittentflashesofhistorchmightwellawakensomelightsleeperinthehouse，thethiefresolvedonadaringmove。
　　Thiscreatureinfrontofhim，——dogorbearorgoat，orwhateveritwas，——wasuncatchable。Butbysendingabulletthroughit，hecouldbringtheanimaltoasuddenandpermanentstop。
　　Then，snatchinguphisbagandrunningattopspeed，behimselfcouldeasilywinclearofthePlacebeforeanyoneofthehouseholdshouldappear。Andhiscarwouldbeamileawaybeforetheneighborhoodcouldbearoused。Furyattheweirdbeastandthewrenchingstrainonhisownnerveslenteagernesstohisacceptanceoftheidea。
　　Hereachedbackagainforhispistol，whippeditout，and，comingtoastandstill，aimedatthepup。Lad，waitingonlytoboundoveranobstructioninhispath，cametoacorrespondingpause，nottenfeetaheadofhisplaymate。
　　Itwasaneasyshot。Yetthebulletwentseveralinchesabovetheobliginglywaitingdog'sback。Ninemenoutoften，shootingbymoonlightorbyflashlight，aimtoohigh。Thethiefhadheardthisoldmarksman-maximfiftytimes。But，likemosthearersofmaxims，hehadforgottenitattheonetimeinhisspeckledcareerwhenitmighthavebeenofanyusetohim。
　　Hehadfired。Hehadmissed。Inanothersecond，everysleeperinthehouseandinthegate-lodgewouldbeoutofbed。Hisnight'sworkwasablank，unless——
　　WithabullrushhehurledhimselfforwardattheinterestedlywaitingLad。And，ashesprang，hefiredagain。Thenseveralthingshappened。
　　Everyone，exceptmovieactorsandnewly-appointedpolicemen，knowsthatamanonfootcannotshootstraight，unlessheisstandingstockstill。Yet，asluckwouldhaveit，thissecondshotfoundamarkwherethefirstandbetteraimedbullethadgonewild。
　　Ladhadleapedthenarrowanddeepditchleftalongthelawn-edgebyworkerswhowereputtinginanewwater-mainforthePlace。Onthefarsideofthisobstaclehehadstopped，andhadwaitedforhisfriendtofollow。Butthefriendhadnotfollowed。Instead，hehadbeensomehowresponsibleforaspurtofredflameandforamostthrillingracket。Ladwasmoreimpressedthaneverbytheman'swondrouspossibilitiesasamidnightentertainer。Hewaited，gaylyexpectant，formore。Hegotit。
　　Therewasasecondracketyexplosionandasecondpuffoflightningfromtheman'sout-flunghand。But，thistime，somethinglikeared-hotwhip-lashsmoteLadwithhorriblyagonizingforceathwarttherighthip。
　　Themanhaddonethis，——themanwhomLaddiehadthoughtsofriendlyandplayful！
　　Hehadnotdoneitbyaccident。Forhishandhadbeenout-flungdirectlyatthepup，justasoncehadbeenthearmofthekennelman，backatLad'sbirthplace，inbeatingadisobedientmongrel。ItwastheonlybeatingLadhadeverseen。Andithadstuck，shudderingly，inhisuncannilysensitivememory。Yetnow，hehimselfhadjusthadalikeexperience。
　　Inaninstant，thepup'strustfulfriendlinesswasgone。ThemanhadcomeonthePlace，atdeadofnight，andhadstruckhim。Thatmustbepaidfor！Neverwouldthepupforget，——hisagonizinglessonthatnightintrudersarenottobetrustedoreventobetolerated。Withinasinglesecond，hehadgraduatedfromalittlefriendofalltheworld，intoavigilantwatchdog。
　　Withasnarl，hedroppedthebagandwhizzedforwardathisassailant。Needle-sharpmilk-teethbared，headlow，ruffabristle，friendlysofteyesasferociousasawolf's，hecharged。
　　Therehadbeenscarceabreathing-spacebetweenthesecondreportofthepistolandthecollie'scounterattack。Buttherehadbeentimeenoughfortheonward-plungingthieftostepintothenarrowlipofthewater-pipeditch。Themomentumofhisownrushhurledtheupperpartofhisbodyforward。Buthisleftleg，caughtbetweentheditch-sides，didnotkeeppacewiththerestofhim。
　　Therewasahideoussnappingsound，ascreechofmortalanguish；
　　andthemancrashedtoearth，inadeadfaintofpainandshock，——hisbrokenleftlegstillthrustatanimpossibleangleintheditch。
　　Ladcheckedhimselfmidwayinhisownfiercecharge。Teethbare，throatagrowl，hehesitated。Ithadseemedtohimrightandnaturaltoassailthemanwhohadstruckhimsopainfully。Butnowthissamemanwaslyingstillandhelplessunderhim。Andthesportinginstinctsofahundredgenerationsofthoroughbredscriedouttohimnottomanglethedefenseless。
　　Wherefore，hestood，irresolute；alertforsignofmovementonthepartofhisfoe。Buttherewasnosuchsign。Andthelightbullet-grazeonhishipwashurtingliketheverymischief。
　　Moreover，everywindowinthehousebeyondwasblossomingforthintolights。Thereweresounds，——reassuringhumansounds。Anddoorswereopening。Hisdeitieswerecomingforth。
　　Allatonce，Laddiestoppedbeingavengefulbeastofprey；andrememberedthathewasaverysmallandverymuchhurtandverylonelyandworriedpuppy。HecravedtheMistress'sdeartouchonhiswound，andawordofcrooningcomfortfromhersoftvoice。
　　ThisyearningwasmingledwithadoubtlestperhapshehadbeentransgressingthePlace'sLaw，insomenewway；andlesthemighthavelethimselfinforascolding。TheLawwasstillsoqueerandsoillogical！
　　Ladstartedtowardthehouse。Then，pausing，hepickedupthebagwhichhadbeensoexhilaratingaplaythingforhimthispastfewminutesandwhichhehadforgotteninhispain。
　　ItwasLad'scolliewaytopickupofferingsrangingfromslipperstoverydeadfishandtocarrythemtotheMistress。
　　Sometimeshewaspettedforthis。Sometimestheofferingwasliftedgingerlybetweenalooffingersandtossedbackintothelake。But，nobodycouldwellrefusesojinglyandprettyagiftasthissatchel。
　　TheMaster，sketchilyattired，camerunningdownthelawn，flashlightinhand。Pasthim，unnoticed，ashespedtowardtheditch，acolliepuplimped；——averyunhappyandcomfort-seekingpuppywhocarriedinhismouthablood-spatteredbrownbag。
　　"Itdoesn'tmakesensetome！"complainedtheMaster，nextday，ashetoldthestoryforthedozenthtime，toanewgroupofcallers。"IheardtheshotsandIwentouttoinvestigate。Therehewaslying，halfinandhalfoutoftheditch。Thefellowwasunconscious。Hedidn'tgethissensesbacktillafterthepolicecame。Thenhetoldsomebabblingyarnaboutacreaturethathadstolenhisbagoflootandthathadluredhimtotheditch。Hewasallunnervedandupset，andalmostoutofhisheadwithpain。
　　Sothepolicehadlittleenoughtroublein'sweating'him。Hetoldeverythingheknew。Andthere'sawholesaleround-upofthemotor-robberybunchgoingonthisafternoonasaresultofit。
　　ButwhatIcan'tunderstand——"
　　"It'sasclearasday，"insistedtheMistress，strokingasilkenheadthatpressedlovinglyagainstherknee。"Asclearasday。I
　　wasstandinginthedoorwayherewhenLaddiecamepatteringuptomeandlaidalittlesatchelatmyfeet。Iopenedit，andwell，ithadeverythingofvalueinitthathadbeeninthesafeoverthere。Thatandthethief'sstorymakeitperfectlyplain。Laddiecaughtthemanashewasclimbingoutofthatwindow。Hegotthebagawayfromhim；andthemanchasedhim，firingashewent。Andhestumbledintotheditchand——"
　　"Nonsense！"laughedtheMaster。"I'llgrantallyousayaboutLad'sbeingthemostmarvelouspuppyonearth。AndI'llevenbelieveallthemiraclesofhiscleverness。Butwhenitcomestotakingabagofjewelryfromaburglarandthenenticinghimtoaditchandthencomingbackheretoyouwiththebag——"
　　"Thenhowdoyouaccount——？"
　　"Idon't。Noneofitmakessensetome。AsIjustsaid。But，whateverhappened，it'sturnedLaddieintoarealwatchdog。Didyounoticehowhewentforthepolicewhentheystarteddownthedrive，lastnight？We'vegotawatchdogatlast。"
　　"We'vegotmorethanawatchdog，"amendedtheMistress。"Anordinarywatchdogwouldjustscareawaythievesorbitethem。Ladcapturedthethiefandthenbroughtthestolenjewelrybacktous。Nootherdogcouldhavedonethat。"
　　Lad，enrapturedbythenoteofpraiseintheMistress'ssoftvoice，lookedadoringlyupintothefacethatsmiledsoproudlydownathim。Then，catchingthesoundofasteponthedrive，hedashedouttobarkinmurderousfashionatawhollyharmlessdeliveryboywhomhehadseeneverydayforweeks。
　　Awatchdogcan'taffordtorelaxvigilance，forasingleinstant，——especiallyattheresponsibleageoffivemonths。
　　CHAPTERII。TheFetishFromthenightoftherobbery，Lad'shighpositionatthePlacewasassured。
　　Eveninthemonthsofganglinglyleggyawkwardnesswhichgenerallyseparatefurrypuppyhoodfromdignifiedcolliematurity，hegavesurepromiseofhisquality。Hewassuchadogasisfoundperhapsonceinageneration；thesuper-colliethatneitherknowsnorneedssuchthingsaswhipandchain；andthatlearnstheLawwithbewilderingswiftness。Adogwithabrainandamightyheart，aswellasanendlessfundofloveablenessandofgaycourage。
　　Monthbymonth，theyoungsterdevelopedintoamassivegiant；hisorange-mahoganycoatamiracleofthicknessandlength，hisdeepchestpromisingpoweraswellaswolflikegrace。Hismindandhisoddlyhumantraitsdevelopedasfastasdidhisbody。
　　AfterthefirstmonthorsohereceivedprivilegesnevertobeaccordedtoanyotherofthePlace'sdogsinLad'slifetime。Hesleptatnightunderthemusic-roompiano，inthe"cave"thatwashisdelight。Atmealtimeshewasevenadmittedintothesacreddining-room，wherehelayonthefloorattheMaster'slefthand。
　　Hehadtherunofthehouse，asfullyasanyhuman。
　　ItwaswhenLadwaseighteenmonthsoldthatthemad-dogscaresweptHamptonvillage；andreacheditscrawlytentaclesoutacrossthelaketothemile-distantPlace。
　　Downthevillagestreet，oneday，trottedanenormousblackmongrel；fullinthecenteroftheroadway。Themongrel'sheavyheadwaslow，andlolledfromsidetosidewitheachlurchingstrideofthebigbody。Theeyeswerebloodshot。Fromthemouthandthehangingdewlaps，flecksoffoamdroppednowandthentotheground。
　　Thebigmongrelwassickofmindandofbody。Hecravedonlytogetoutofthatabodeofmenandtofindsolitudeintheforestsandhillsbeyondthevillage。
　　Forthisistheconsideratewayofdogs；andofcatsaswell。
　　Whendiresicknesssmitesthem，theydonothangabout，cravingsympathyandcallingforendlessattention。Alltheywantistogetoutoftheway，——welloutoftheway，intothewoodsandswampsandmountains；wheretheymaywrestlewiththeirlife-or-deathproblemintheirownprimitivemanner；andwhere，ifneedbe，theymaydiealoneandpeacefully，withouttroublinganyoneelse。
　　Especiallyisthistruewithdogs。Iftheirmaladyislikelytoaffectthebrainandtoturnthemsavage，theymakeeverypossibleattempttoescapefromhomeandtobeasfarawayfromtheirmastersasmaybe，beforethecrisisshallgoadthemintoattackingthosetheylove。
　　And，whensomesuchsufferingbeastisseen，onhiswaytosolitude，wehumansproveourhumanitybyraisingtheidioticbellowof"Maddog！"andbychasingandtorturingthevictim。Allthis，despiteproofthatnotonesickdoginathousand，thusassailed，hasanydiseasewhichisevenremotelyakintorabies。
　　Nexttovivisection，nocrimeagainsthelplessanimalsissoneedlesslyandfoolishlycruelastheaveragemad-dogchase。
　　Whichisadigression；butwhichmayormaynotenableyoutokeepyourhead，nexttimeamad-dogscaresweepsyourownneighborhood。
　　Downthemiddleofthedustystreettrottedthesickmongrel。
　　Fiveminutesearlier，hehadescapedfromthedampcellarinwhichhisownerhadimprisonedhimwhenfirsthefellill。Andnow，hisonepurposewastoleavethevillagebehindhimandtogaintheleafyrefugeofthefoothillsbeyond。
　　Outfromadoor-yard，flashedabumptiouslittlefoxterrier。
　　Intotheroadwayhebounded；intentonchallengingthebiggeranimal。
　　Hebarkedferociously；thendancedinfrontoftheinvalid；
　　yappingandsnappingupatthehanginghead。Thebigmongrel，inagony，snarledandmadealungeathisirritatinglydancingtormentor。Histeethduggrazinglyintotheterrier'swithers；
　　and，withanimpatienttoss，heflungthelittlebeasttooneside。Thenhecontinuedhisinterruptedflight；sickwrathbeginningtoencompasshisreelingbrain，attheannoyancehehadencountered。
　　Theyelloftheslightlyhurtterrierbroughtpeopletotheirdoors。Thesounddisturbedahalf-breedspanielfromhisdozeinthedust，andsenthimouttocontinuetheharryinghisinjuredterrierchumhadbegun。
　　Thespanielflewattheblackdog；nippingattheploddingforepaws。Themongrelraged；asmightsomepainfullysickhumanwhoispesteredwhenheasksonlytobeletalone。Hisdullapathygaveplacetosullenanger。Hebitgrowlinglyatthespaniel，throwinghimselftoonesideinpursuitoftheelusivefoe。AndhesnappedwithequalrageatanIrishterrierthathadcomeouttoaddtotheturmoil。
　　Bythistime，ascoreofpeopleweredancingupanddowninsidetheirdoor-yardfences，squalling"Maddog！"andflingingattheblackbruteanymissiletheycouldlayhandto。
　　Abrokenflower-potcuttheinvalid'snose。Astonereboundedfromhisribs。Theraucoushumanyellscompletedtheworkthefirstdoghadstarted。Fromameresufferer，theblackmongrelhadchangedintoaperil。
　　TheMistresshadmotoredovertotheHamptonpost-office，thatafternoon，tomailsomeletters。Lad，asusual，hadgonewithher。Shehadlefthiminthecar，whileshewentintothepost-office。
　　Ladlaythere，insnugcontentment，onthecar'sfrontseat；
　　awaitingthereturnofhisdeityandkeepingawatchfuleyeonanyonewhochancedtoloiternearthemachine。Presently，hesatup。Leaningout，fromonesideoftheseat，hestareddownthehotroadway，inadirectionwhenceababelofhighlyexcitingsoundsbegantoissue。
　　Apparently，beyondthatkick-upofdust，afurlongbelow，allsortsofinterestingthingswerehappening。Lad'ssofteyestookonaglintofeagercuriosity；andhesniffedthestillairforfurthercluesastothenatureofthefun。Anumberofhumans，——tojudgebytheracket，——wereshoutingandscreaming；
　　andthewell-understoodword，"dog，"formedalargepartoftheirclamor。Also，therewererealdogsmixedupinthefracas；andmorethanoneofthemhadbloodonhim。Somuchthecollie'suncannysensesofsmellandofhearingtoldhim。
　　Ladwhimpered，fardowninhisthroat。Hehadbeenleftheretoguardthiscar。Itwashisdutytostaywherehewas，untiltheMistressshouldreturn。Yet，rightbehindhim，there，aseriesofmightyentertainingthingswerehappening，——thingsthathelongedtoinvestigateandtomixinto。Itwashardtodoone'ssolemndutyaswatchdog，whensomuchofwildinterestwasastir！NotoncediditoccurtoLaddietodeserthispost。Buthecouldnotforbearthatlowwhimperandaglanceofappealtowardthepost-office。
　　Andnow，outofthesmearofflyingdust，loomedalurchingblackshape；——gigantic，terrible。Itwascomingstraighttowardthecar；stillalmostinmid-road。Behind，lessdistinct，appearedrunningmen。Andashotwasfired。Somebodyhadrunindoorsforapistol，beforejoiningthechase。Thesamesomebody，inthevanofthepursuers，hadopenedfire；andwasindangerofdoingfarmoredamagetolifethancouldadozenallegedlymaddogs。
　　Justthen，outfromthepost-office，cametheMistress。Crossingthenarrowsidewalk，shenearedthecar。Ladstoodup，wagginghisplumedtailinwelcome；histinywhiteforepawsdancingajigofeagernessontheleatherseat-cushion。
　　Onreeledtheblackmongrel；crazedbynoiseandpain。HisblearedeyescaughtaflashoftheMistress'swhitedress，onthewalk，fifteenfeetinfrontofhimandayardormoretooneside。
　　Inaframeofmindwheneverynewcomerwasaprobabletormenter，themongrelresolvedtomeetthiswhite-cladfoe，head-on。Heswerved，withastagger，fromhisbee-lineoftravel；growledhideously，andsprangfullather。
　　TheMistresspaused，foraninstant，inthemiddleofthesidewalk，tofindoutthereasonforthesuddendinthathadassailedherearsassheemergedfromthepost-office。Inthatbriefmoment，shecaughtthemultiple-bellowedphraseof"Maddog！"andsawtheblackbrutechargingdownuponher。
　　Therewasnotimetodartbackintotheshelterofthebuildingortogainthelessersafetyofthecar。Forthechargingmongrelwasnotfivefeetaway。
　　TheMistressstoodstock-still；holdingherhandsatalevelwithherthroat。Shedidnotcryout；norfaint。ThatwasnottheMistress'sway。LikeLad，shewasthoroughbredinsoulaswellasinbody。Andneithershenorherdogbelongedtothebreedofscreamers。Throughhermind，inthatbriefestfractionofasecondwhizzedtheconsolingthought"He'snotmad，whateverelseheis。Amaddogneverswervesfromhispath。"
　　ButiftheMistressremainedmoveless，Laddidnot。Seeingherperilevenmoreswiftlythandidshe，hemadeonelightningdivefromhisperchonthecarseat。
　　Hedidnotleapatrandom。Lad'sbrainalwaysworkedmorequicklythandidhislithebody；flyinglyrapidaswerethatbody'smotions。Ashegatheredhimselfforthespring，hiscampaignwasmappedout。
　　Downuponthechargingbeastswoopedafurrywhirlwindofburnishedmahogany-and-snow。Downitswoopedwiththewhirringspeedandunerringaimofaneagle。Sixty-oddpoundsofsinewyweightsmotethelungingmongrel，obliquely，ontheleftshoulder；knockingthegreatbrute'slegsfromunderhimandthrowinghimcompletelyoffhisbalance。Intothedustcrashedthetwodogs；Ladontop。Beforetheystruckground，thecollie'steethhadfoundtheirgoalirethesideofthelargerdog'sthroat；andeverywhalebonemuscleinLad'sbodywasbracedtoholdhisenemydown。
　　Itwasacleverhold。Forthefallhadthrownthemongrelonhisside。AndsolongasLadshouldbeabletokeepthegreatfoamingheadinthatsidewaysposture，theotherdogcouldnotgethisfeetunderhimagain。Withhislegsintheirpresentposition，hehadnopowertogetup；butlaythrashingandsnappingandsnarling；andtryingwithallhiscrampedmighttofreehimselffromthemusculargripthatheldhimprostrate。
　　Itwasalloverinsomethingliketwoseconds。Upstormedthecrowd；thepistol-wielderatitshead。Threeshotswerefiredatpoint-blankrange。BysomemiraclenoneofthemharmedLad；
　　althoughonebulletscratchedhisforelegonitswaytotheblackgiant'sbrain。
　　Assoonasshecould，theMistressgotherselfandtheloudly-praisedLadintothecarandsetoffforhome。Nowthattheperilwasover，shefeltdizzyandill。Shehadseenwhatitisnotwelltosee。Andthememoryofithauntedherformanyanightthereafter。
　　AsforLad，hewasstillatinglewithexcitement。Thenoisypraiseofthosebabblinghumanshadbotheredhim；andhehadbeengladtoescapeit。Ladhatedtobemauledortalkedtobystrangers。ButtheMistress'stremuloussqueezeandhershudderingwhisperof"Oh，Laddie！LADDIE！"hadshownshewasproudofhim。AndthisflatteredanddelightedLad，pastallmeasure。
　　Hehadactedonimpulse。But，fromtheMistress'smanner，hesawhehadmadeawonderfulhitwithherbywhathehaddone。Andhistailthumpedecstaticallyagainsttheseatashecuddledveryclosetoherside。
　　Athome，therewasmorepraiseandpetting；——thistimefromboththeMistressandtheMaster。AndtheMasterbathedandpatchedtheinsignificantbullet-scratchonthecollie'sforeleg。
　　Altogether，itwasagalaafternoonfortheyoungdog。Andhelovedit。
　　But，nextmorning，therewasquiteanotherphaseoflifeawaitinghim。LikemostGreatMoments，thisexploitofLad'swasnotonthefreelist。AndTroublesetin；——grimandsinistertrouble。
　　Breakfastwasover。TheMistressandtheMasterweretakingtheirwontedmorningstrollthroughthegrounds。Ladcanteredalong，aheadofthem。Thelightbullet-scratchonhisforelegdidnotlameorannoyhim。Heinspectedeverythingofcanineinterest；
　　sniffingexpertinquiryatholeswhichmightprovetoberabbitwarrens；glaringintruculentthreatupsometreewhichmightormightnotharboranimpudentsquirrel；affectingtoseeobjectsofmysteriousimportinbushclumps；crouchingindramaticthreatatafatstag-beetlewhichscuttledacrosshispath。
　　Thereareanimmensenumberofworth-whiledetailsforaveryyoungcollie，ineventhemostcasualmorningwalk；especiallyifhisMistressandhisMasterchancetobeunderhisescort。AndLaddieneglectednoneofthesethings。IfatroopofbearsorabandofIndiansoraman-eatingelephantwerelurkinganywhereintheshrubberyorbehindtree-trunks，Ladwasnotgoingtofailindiscoveringandroutingoutsuchpossibledangerstothepeaceofmindofhistwoadoreddeities。
　　Scentandsightpresentlywereattractedbyafeebleflutteringunderalow-limbedcatalpatreeinwhosebranchesapairofhystericalrobinswerescreeching。Ladpaused，histulipearsatattention，hisplumedtailswaying。Thenhepushedhislongmuzzlethroughaclumpofgrassandemergedcarryingaflappingandpipingmorselbetweenhismightyjaws。Thebirds，onthelimbabove，redoubledtheirfrenziedchirping；andmadelittlefutiledashesatthecollie'shead。
　　Unheeding，LadwalkedbacktotheMistressandlaidgentlyatherfeetthebabyrobinhehadfound。Hiskeenteethhadnotsomuchasruffleditspinfeatherplumage。Havingdonehissharetowardsettlingthebird'sdilemma，LaddiestoodbackandwatchedingraveinterestwhiletheMistressliftedtheflutteringinfantandputitbackinthenestwhenceithadfallen。
　　"ThatmakesthefifthbabybirdLaddiehasbroughttomeinamonth，"shecommented，assheandtheMasterturnedbacktowardthehouse。"Tosaynothingoftwofieldmiceandabroken-wingedbat。HeseemstothinkI'llknowwhattodoforthem。"
　　"Ionlyhopehewon'thappenuponanewbornrattlesnakeorcopperheadandbringittoyouforrefuge，"answeredtheMaster。
　　"Ineversawanotherdog，exceptatrainedpointerorsetter，thatcouldhandlebirdssotenderly。He——"
　　Thebumpingofabadlyhandledrowboat，againstthedock，atthefootofthelawn，ahundredyardsbelow，checkedhisramblingwords。Lad，atsuddenattention，byhismaster'sside，watchedtheboat'soccupantclamberclumsilyoutofhisscow；thenstampalongthedockandupthelawntowardthehouse。Thearrivalwasalongandleanandlankandlantern-jawedmanwithasetofthemostfieryredwhiskerseverseenoutsideamusicalcomedy。TheMasterhadseenhimseveraltimes，inthevillage；andrecognizedhimasHomerWefers，thenewly-appointedTownshipHeadConstable。
　　TheMistressrecognizedhim，too，asthevehementofficialwhosevolleyofpistol-bulletshadendedthesufferingsoftheblackmongrel。Sheshivered，inreminiscence，asshelookedathim。Thememoryheevokedwasnotpleasant。
　　"Morning！"Wefersobserved，curtly，astheMaster，withLadbesidehim，steppedforwardtogreetthescarlet-beardedguest。
　　"Itriedtogetoverhere，lastnight。ButIguessit'ssoonenough，today。Hasheshowedanysigns，yet？"HenoddedinquiringlyattheimpassiveLad，ashespoke。
　　"'Soonenough'forwhat？"queriedthepuzzledMaster。
　　"Andwhatsortof'signs'areyoutalkingabout？"
　　"Soonenoughtoshootthatbigbrowncollieofyours，"explainedWefers，withbusinesslikebriskness。"AndI'maskingifhe'sshowedanysignsofhydrophoby。Hashe？"
　　"AreyouspeakingofLaddie？"askedtheMistress，indismay；astheslower-wittedMaster，staredandgulped。"Whyshouldheshowanysignsofhydrophobia？He——"
　　"Ifhehasn't，hewill，"rappedoutthevisitor。"Orhewould，ifhewasn'tputoutoftheway。That'swhatI'mherefor。ButI
　　kindofhopedmaybeyoufolksmighthavedoneit，yourselves。
　　Can'tbetoocareful，youknow。'Specially——"
　　"Whatinblueblazesareyoublitheringabout？"roaredtheMaster，findinghisvoiceandmarshalinghisstartledwits。"Doyoumean——"
　　"Imean，"saidWefers，rebukingwithacoldglaretheMaster'sdisrespectfulmanner，"ImeanI'mheretoshootthatbigcollieofyours。Hewasbitbyamaddog，yesterday。Sowasthreeotherdogsoverinthevillage。Ishot'emall；beforetheyhadtimetod'velopsymptomsandthings；orbiteanybody。Oneof'em，"headded，unctuously，"oneof'emb'longedtothatlittlecrippledPosthangergirl。Shecriedandbegged，somethingpitiful，whenI
　　comeforhim。Butdootyisdooty。SoI——"
　　"OH！"
　　TheMistress'shorrifiedmonosyllablebrokeinonthesmugrecital。ShecaughtLadprotectinglybytheruffandstaredinmutedreadatthelankyandred-whiskeredofficer。Lad，readinghervoiceasalways，divinedthisnasal-tonedcallerhadsaidordonesomethingtomakeherunhappy。Hisruffbristled。Onecornerofhislipliftedinsomethingwhichlookedlikeasmile，butwhichwasnot。And，veryfardowninhisthroatagrowlwasborn。
　　ButtheMastersteppedinfrontofhiswifeandhisdog，andconfrontedtheconstable。Fightingforcalmness，heasked:
　　"DoIunderstandthatyoushotthoseharmlesslittlepupsjustbecauseadogthatwassick，andnotrabid，happenedtonipthem？
　　Andthatyou'vecomeacrossherewithanideaofdoingthesamethingtoLad？Isthatit？"
　　"That'stheidea，"assentedWefers。"Isaidso，rightoff，assoonasIgothere。Only，you'rewrongaboutthedogbeing'sick。'Hewasmad。Hadrabies。I'doughttoknow。I——"
　　"Howandwhyoughtyoutoknow？"demandedtheMaster，stillbattlingforperfectcalm，andsucceedingnonetoowell。"Howoughtyoutoknow？Areyouaveterinary？Haveyouevermadeastudyofdogsandoftheirmaladies？Haveyoueverreadup，carefully，onthesubjectofrabies？HaveyoureadEberhardtorDr。BennettorSkinneroranyofadozenotherauthoritiesonthedisease？HaveyouconsultedsucheminentvetsasHopperandFinch，forinstance？Ifyouhave，youcertainlymustknowthatadog，afflictedwithgenuinerabies，willnomoreturnoutofhiswaytobiteanyonethanatyphoidpatientwilljumpoutofbedtochaseadoctor。I'mnotsayingthatthebiteofanysickanimalorofanysickhuman，forthatmatterisn'tmoreorlessdangerous；unlessit'scarefullywashedoutandpaintedwithiodine。Butthat'snoexcusetogoaroundthecountry，shootingeverydogthatsomesickmongrelhassnappedat。Putsuchdogsunderobservation，ifnecessary；andthen——"
　　"Youtalklikeafool！"snortedWefers，inloftycontempt。"I——"
　　"ButIamgoingtokeepyoufromactinglikeafool，"returnedtheMaster，hishard-heldtemperbeginningtofray。"Yousayyou'vecomeoverheretoshootmydog。IfeveranyoneshootsLad，I'llbethemantodoit。AndI'llhavetohavelotsbetterreasonforitthan——"
　　"Goahead，then！"vouchsafedtheconstable，fishingoutarustyservicepistolfromhiscoat-tailpocket。"Goaheadanddoityourself，then；ifyou'drather。It'sallonetome，solong'sit'sdone。"
　　Withsardonicpoliteness，heprofferedthebulkyweapon。TheMastercaughtitfromhishandandflungitahundredfeetaway，intothecenterofaclumpoflilacs。
　　"Somuchforthegun！"heblazed，advancingantheastoundedWefers。"Now，unlessyouwanttofollowit——"
　　"Dear！"expostulatedtheMistress，hersweetvoiceatremble。
　　"I'manof'cerofthelaw！"blusteredtheoffendedconstable；inthesamebreathadding"Andresistinganof'cerinthep'sootofhisdootyisamisde——"
　　Hecheckedhimself，unconsciouslyturningtoobservetheoddactionsofLad。
　　AstheMasterhadhurledthepistolfarfromhim，thecolliehadspedinbreakneckpursuitofit。Thus，always，didhedelighttoretrieveanyobjecttheMistressortheMastermighttossforhisamusement。ItwasoneofLaddie'sfavoritegames，thisfetchingbackofanythingthrown。Thefartheritmightbeflungandthemoredifficultitslandingplace，themorezesttothesport。
　　Thistime，Ladwasespeciallygladatthediversion。Fromthevoicesofthesedeitiesofhis，LadhadgatheredthattheMasterwasfuriouslyangryandthattheMistresswascorrespondinglyunhappy。Also，thatthelankyandred-beardedvisitorwasdirectlyresponsiblefortheirstressoffeeling。HehadbeeneyeingalternatelytheMasterandWefers；tenselyawaitingsomeovertactorsomewordofpermissionwhichshouldwarranthiminlaunchinghimselfontheintruder。
　　Andnow，itseemed，thewholethingwasagame；——agamewhereinhehimselfhadbeeninvitedtoplayamerryandspectacularpart。
　　Joyously，heflewafterthehurtlinglumpofsteelandrubber。
　　TheMaster，facingtheconstable，didnotseehispet'sperformance。HetookupthethreadofspeechwhereWefersdroppedit。
　　"Idon'tknowwhatthelawdoesordoesn'tempoweryoutodo，insuchcases，"hesaid，tryingtoforcehiswaybacktotheearliersemblanceofcalm。"ButIdoubtifitpermitsyoutotrespassonmyland，withoutawarrantoracourtorderofsomesort；ortoshootadogofmine。And，untilIfindoutthelawinthematter，you'llgetoffthisplaceandkeepoffofit。Asforthedog，I'llbelegallyresponsibleforhim；andI'llguaranteehe'lldonodamage。So——"
　　LikeWefers，theMastercametoanabrupthaltinhisharangue。
　　ForLadwascanteringgleefullytowardhim，carryingsomethingdarkandheavybetweenhisjaws。StraighttotheMastercameLad。
　　Carefully，attheMaster'sfeet，helaidtherustypistol。
　　Then，steppingbackapace，helookedup，eagerly，intothedumfoundedman'sface，tailwaving，darkeyesaglintwithexpectation。Ithadbeenhardtolocatetheweapon，inallthattangleoflilac-stems。Ithadbeenhardertocarrytheawkwardlyheavythingallthewayback，inhismouth，withoutdroppingit。
　　But，ifthiswastheplaythingtheMasterhadchosen，Ladwasonlytoowillingtocontinuethegame。
　　AlittlechokingsoundmadethecollieshifthisgazesuddenlytotheMistress'stroubledface。Andthelightoffuninhiseyeswasquenched。Thesightofhersplendiddogretrievingsojoyouslytheweapondesignedforhisdeath，wasalmosttoomuchfortheMistress'sself-control。
　　TheeffectontheMasterwasdifferent。
　　AsWefersmadeasthoughtojumpforwardandgrabthepistol，theMastersaidsharply"WATCHit，Laddie！"
　　Instantly，Ladwasonthealert。Thegame，itseemed，hadbegunagain，andalongsternerlines。Hewastoguardthisplaything；——particularlyfromthebeardedintruderwhowassnatchingsoavidlyforit。
　　Therewasasharpgrowl，aflashoffiercewhiteteeth，abound。
　　OneofLad'ssnowylittleforepawswasonthefallenpistol。AndtherestofLad'ssinewybodywascrouchingaboveit，fangsaglint，eyesblazingwithhotmenace。
　　Wefersjerkedbackhisprotrudingarm，withextremequickness；
　　barelyavoidingadeepslashfromthecollie'sshearingeye-teeth。AndLad，continuedto"watch"thepistol。
　　Thedogwashavingalovelytime。Seldomhadhebeenhappier。Allgoodcolliesrespondinsemi-psychicfashiontothemoodsoftheirmasters。And，toLad，theveryatmosphereabouthimwasthrillingjustnowtowavesofstarkexcitement。Withthedelightfulvanitywhichisapartofthecolliemake-up，herealizedthatinsomemannerhehimselfwasaprominentpartofthisexcitement。Andhereveledinit。
　　AsWeferspulledbackhisimperiledarm，theMistresssteppedforward，beforetheMastercouldspeakormove。
　　"Evenifitweretruethathecouldgetrabiesbyabitefromarabiddog，"saidshe，"andevenifthatdog，yesterday，weremad，thatwouldn'taffectLaddie。Forhedidn'tbiteLaddie。Henevergotthechance。Ladpinnedhimtotheground。Andwhilethemongrelwasstrugglingtogetup，youshothim。OneofyourbulletsflickedLad'sforeleg。Butthemongrel'steethnevercamewithintwelveinchesofhim。Icantestifytothat。"
　　"Hewasfightingwithamaddog！"reiteratedWefers，fumingly。"I
　　saw'em，myself。Andwhenadogisfighting，he'sboundtogetbit。I'mnotheretoargueoverit。I'mheretoenforcethelawofthesov'r'nStateofNooJersey，CountyofP'saic，Townshipof——"
　　"Butthelawdeclaresaprisonerinnocent，tillhe'sprovedguilty，"urgedtheMistress，restrainingtheMaster，byalighthandonhisrestlessarm。"AndLad'snotbeenprovedguilty。Itisn'tprovedhewasbitten，atall。Icantestifyhewasn't。Myhusbandwashedthescratchandhecantellyouitwasn'tmadebyabite。Anyveterinarycantellyouthesamething，ataglance。
　　WecanestablishthefactthatLadwasnotbitten。Soevenifthelawletsyoushootabittendog，——whichIdon'tbelieveitdoes，——itdoesn'tempoweryoutoshootLad。Why！"shewenton，shudderingslightly，"ifLadhadn'tsprungbetweenthatbruteandmyself，you'dprobablybewantingtoshootME！ForI'dhavebeenbitten，terribly，ifLadhadn't——"
　　"I'mnotheretolistentosillynonsense！"announcedWefer，glaringatthewatchfuldogandbackatthemanandwoman，"I
　　camehereinp'sootofmysworndooty。Ibeenbalkedandresistedbythetwoofyou；andmypistol'sbeenstolefrommeandasavagedog'sbeenpract'c'llysickedontome。I'manof'cerofthelaw。AndI'mgoingtohavethelawonbothofyou，forint'feringwithmelikeyouhave。AndI'mgoingtogetacourtordertoshoot——"
　　"Thenyouhaven'tacourtorderoranyotherauthoritytoshoothim？"theMastercaughthimup。"Youadmitthat！Youcameoverhere，thinkingyoucouldbluffusintolettingyoudoit，justbecauseyouhappentowearatinbadge！Ithoughtso。Now，mypink-whiskeredfriend，you'llstopshoutingandmakingfaces；andyou'lllistentome，aminute。Youaren'tthefirstofficerwhohasexceededhisauthorityonthechancethatpeoplewillthinkhe'sactingwithinhisrights。Thistimetheblufffails。Withnowarrantorsummonsorotherlegalpowertobackhim，aconstablehasnomorerightonmyplacethananynegrotrespasser。Whatyoumayormaynotbeabletopersuadesomemagistratetodoaboutthis，Idon'tknow。But，forthepresent，you'llclearout。Getthat？I'vewarnedyou，inthepresenceofawitness。Ifyouknowanythingoflaw，youknowthatalandowner，aftersuchwarning，mayejectatrespasserbyforce。Go。Andkeepgoing。That'sall。"
　　Weferssputteredwordlessly，fromtimetotime，duringthetirade。Butbeforeitsend，hefellsilentandbegantofidget。
　　Hehimselfwasnonetoowellversedinthematterofhislegalrightsofintrusion。And，forthemoment，hehadnochancetoexecutehiserrand。Later，armedwithamagistrate'sorder，hecouldpaybackwithinteresthishumiliationofthismorning。Inthemeantime——
　　"Gimmemygun！"hedemandedingrouchysurrender。