TheMasterstooped；pickedupthepistol，andhelditinbothhands。Lad，alleagerness，stooddancinglywaitingforhimtothrowitagain。Butitwasnotthrown。Instead，theMaster"broke"theweapon；shakingthegreasycartridgesoutontohisownpalmandthentransferringthemtohispockets。
　　"Incaseofaccidents，"heexplained，pleasantly，ashehandedthepistolbacktoitsscowlingowner。"Andifyou'llstopatthepost-office，thisafternoon，you'llfindtheseshellsinanenvelopeinyourletter-box。Now，chase；unlessyouwantLadtoescortyoutoyourboat。LadisfineatescortingundesirablesoffthePlace。Wanttoseehimperform？"
　　ButWefersdidnotanswer。Snatchingtheimpotentpistolandshovingitbackintohiscoattailpocket，hestrodelakeward，mutteringluridthreatsashewent。
　　TheMistresswatchedhislankfigureonitswaydownthelawntothedock。
　　"It's-it'sAWFUL！"shefaltered，clutchingatherhusband'sarm。
　　"Oh，youdon'tsupposehecan——canreallygetleavetoshootLaddie，doyou？"
　　"Idon'tknow，"answeredtheMaster，asuneasyasshe。"Amad-dogscarehasawayofthrowingeverybodyintoafoolpanic。There'snoknowingwhatsomemagistratemaylethimdo。Butonethingismightycertain，"hereassuredher。"IfthewholeNationalGuardofNewJerseycomeshere，withatruckloadofshooting-warrants，theyaren'tgoingtogetLaddie。Ipromiseyouthat。Idon'tquiteknowhowwearegoingtopreventit。Butwe'regoingto。
　　That'sapledge。Soyou'renottoworry。"
　　AstheytalkedtheycontinuedtowatchtheconstableinhisclumpingexitfromthePlace。Wefersreachedthedock，andstampedouttoitsextremeend，wherewasmooredtheliveryscowhehadcommandeeredforhisjourneyacrossthelakefromthevillage。
　　Alightwindwasblowing。Ithadcaughtthescow'swidesternandhadswungitoutfromthedock。Wefersunhookedthechainanddroppeditclankinglyintothebottom。Then，withponderousuncertainty，hesteppedfromthedock'sstring-piecetotheprowofhisboat。
　　Awhiffofbreezeslappedtheloosenedscow，broadsideon，andsentitdriftinganinchortwoaway。Asaresult，HomerWefers'
　　largeshoe-solewasplantedontheedgeoftheprow，insteadofitscenter。Hissolewasslipperyfromthedewofthelawn。Theprow'sedgewasstillmoreslippery，fromhavingbeenthesceneofarecentfish-cleaning。
　　Theconstable'sganglingbodystroveinvaintoholdanysemblanceofbalance。Hisfootslidoutfromitsprecariousperch，pushingtheboatfartherintothelake。Andthedignifiedofficerflappedwildlyinmid-air。
　　Notbeingbuiltonalighter-than-airprinciple，hefailedtoholdthisundignifiedaerialposeformorethanthetenthofasecond。Attheendofthattimeheplungedsplashinglyintothelake，atadepthofsomethinglikeeightfeetofwater。
　　"Good！"applaudedtheMaster，astheMistressgaspedaloudinnotwhollysorrowfulsurpriseandasLadambledgaylydownthelawnforacloserviewofthishighlydivertingsight。"Good！Ihopeheruinseverystitchhehason；andthengetsrheumatismandtonsilitis。He——"
　　TheMaster'sbabblingjawfellslack；andthepleasedgrinfadedfromhisface。
　　Wefershadcometothesurface，afterhisducking。Hewasfullythreeyardsbeyondthedockandasfarfromhisdriftingscow。
　　Andhewasdoingallmannerofsensationalthingswithhislankyarmsandlegsandbody。Inbrief，hewasdoingeverythingexceptswim。
　　ItwasthisphenomenonwhichhadwipedawaytheMaster'sgrinofpurehappiness。
　　Anymanmayfallintothewater，andmaypresentamostludicrousspectacleindoingso。But，ontheinstanthecomestothesurface，hisveryfirstmotionswillshowwhetherornotheisaswimmer。IthadnotoccurredtotheMasterthatanyonerearedintheNorthJerseylake-countryshouldnothaveatleastenoughknowledgeofswimmingtocarryhimafewyards。But，evenasmanysailorscannotswimastroke，somanyaninlander，bornandbroughtupwithinsightoffreshwater，hasnevertakenthetroubletograspthesimplestrudimentsofnatation。Andsuchaman，veryevidently，wasHomerWefers，TownshipHeadConstable。
　　HishowlofcrasspanicwasnotneededtoprovethistotheMaster。Hiseverywildanticshowedit。Butthatsameterror-strickenscreechwasrequiredtosetforththetruesituationtotheonememberofthetriowhohadlearnedfrombirthtojudgebysoundandbyscent，ratherthanbymeresight。
　　Withnogoodgrace，theMasteryankedoffhisowncoatandwaistcoat，andbenttounstraphishikingboots。Hedidnotrelishtheprospectofawetting，forthemeresakeofsavingfromdeaththisatrocioustrespasser。Heknewthemancouldprobablykeepafloatforatleastaminutelonger。Andhewasnotmindedtoshortentheperiodoffearbyrippingoffhisownoutergarmentswithanymelodramatichaste。
　　Asheundidthefirstboot-latchet，hefelttheMistress'stensefingersonhisshoulder。
　　"Wait！"sheexhortedAstoundedatthiscold-bloodedcounselfromhistender-heartedwife，helookedup，andfollowedthedirectionofhereagerlypointinghand。
　　"Look！"shewasexulting。"It'llallsolveitself！Seeifitdoesn't。Look！Hecan'tshootLaddie，after——after——"
　　TheMasterwasbarelyintimetoseeLadswirlalongthedockwithexpress-trainspeedandspringfaroutintothelake。
　　Thedogstruckwater，abareteninchesfromWefers'madlytossinghead。Theconstable，inhiscrazypanic，flungbothbonyarmsaboutthedog。And，manandcollietogetherdisappearedunderthesurface，inaswirlofchurnedfoam。
　　TheMistresscriedaloud，atthishideousturnherprettyplanhadtaken。TheMaster，oneshoeoffandoneshoeon，hobbledattoppacetowardthedock。
　　Ashereachedthefootofthelawn，Lad'sheadandshoulderscameintoviewabovethelittlewhirlpoolcausedbythesinkingbodies'suction。And，atthesamemoment，theconvulsedfeaturesofHomerWefersshowedthroughtheeddy。Themanwasthrashingandtwistinginawaythatturnedthelakearoundhimintoawhitemaelstrom。
　　AstheMastersetfootonthedockhesawtheCollierushforwardwithanimpetusthatsentbothshaggymahoganyshouldersfaroutofwater。Strikingwithbrilliantaccuracy，thedogavoidedWefers'flailingarmsandfeet，andclinchedhisstrongteethintothebackofthedrowningman'scollar。
　　Thus，Ladwassafefromtheblindlyclingingarmsandfromakick。Hehadchosentheonestrategichold；andhemaintainedit。
　　Asplashingoftheunwieldybodymadebothheadsvanishunderwater，forabarehalf-second，astheMasterpoisedhimselfonthestring-pieceforadive。Butthedivewasnotmade。
　　Fortheheadsreappeared。Andnow，whetherfrompalsyoffrightorfrombelatedintelligence，——Wefersceasedhisuselessstruggles；thoughnothisstrangledshrieksforhelp。Thecollie，callingonallhiswirypower，struckoutforthedock；keepingtheman'sfaceabovewater，andtuggingathissoggyweightwithascientificstrengththatsentthetwo，slowlybutsteadily，shoreward。
　　Afterthefewfeetofthehaul，Weferswentsilent。Intohisblanklyaffrightedfacecamealookoffoolishbewilderment。TheMaster，rememberinghiswife'shint，andcertainnowofLad'sabilitytocompletetherescue，stoodwaitingonthestring-piece。Once，forasecond，Wefers'eyesmethis；buttheywereavertedinqueerhaste。
　　AsLadtuggedhisburdenbeneaththestringpiece，theMasterbentdownandgrippedthesoddenwetshouldersoftheconstable。Onenone-too-gentleheave，andWeferswaslyinginapantinganddrippingheaponthecleandock。Lad，relievedofhisheavyload，swamleisurelyaroundtoshore。Ithadbeenadelightfullythrillingday，thusfar，forthecollie。Buthewasjustabittired。
　　BythetimethedazedconstablewasabletositupandpeerowlishlyintotheunlovingfacesoftheMistressandtheMaster，Ladhadshakenhimselfthriceandwaspatteringacrossthedocktowardthegroup。Fromthetwohumans，Wefers'gazeshiftedtotheoncomingdog。Thenheglancedbackatthesullendepthsoflakewaterbeyondthestring-piece。Thenhelethisheadsinkonhischest。Forperhapsawholeminute，hesatthus；hiseyesshut，hisbreathstillfastandhysterical。
　　Nobodyspoke。TheMistresslookeddownatthedrenchedman。ThenshewinkedattheequallysilentMaster，andlaidacaressinglittlehandonLad'swethead。Atlength，Wefersliftedhisfaceandgloweredatthetrio。But，ashiseyemetLad'squizzicallyinterestedgaze，hefidgeted。
　　"Well？"promptedtheMaster，"doyouwantthosecartridgesback？"
　　Wefersfavoredhimwithascowlofutterdislike。Then，hiseyesagainaverted，thewetmanmumbled"Icomeoverheretoday，todomydooty——Dogsthatgetbitbymaddogshadoughttobeshot——Icomeoverheretodomydooty。
　　Likewise，Idoneit——Ishotthatdogofyoursthatgotbit，yest'day。"
　　"Huh？"ejaculatedtheMaster。
　　"Thisdogherelookssomelikehim，"wentonWefers，sulkily。
　　"Butitain'thim。AndI'llsoreporttotheauthor'ties——IdonewhatIcometodo。Thecaseisclosed。And-and-ifyoufolkseverwanttosellyourdog，why，——well，I'lljustgomortgagesomethingand——andbuyhimoff'nyou！"
　　CHAPTERIII。NoTrespassing！
　　Therewerefourofthem；twogaudily-claddamselsandtwomen。
　　Themen，intheirownway，wereattiredasgloriouslyasthemaidenstheywereescorting。Thequartetaddedgenerouslytotheglowingbeautyofthesummerday。
　　Downthelaketheycame，inacanoemodestlyscarletexceptforasinglebroadpurplestripeunderthegunwale。Thecanoe'stonesblendedsweetlywiththepinkparasolandbluepicturehatofoneofthewomen。
　　Stolidandunshavenfishermen，indrabscows，alongthecanoe'sroute，lookedupfromtheirlines，inbovinewonderatthevisionoflovelinesswhichsweptresonantlypastthem。Forthequartetwerewarbling。Theywerealsodoingqueermusicalstuntswhicharefondlymiscalled"closeharmony。"
　　Thusdotheyandtheirkindpayhomagetoadivinedayonafire-bluelake，amidthehushoftheeternalhills。Lessersoulsmayfindthemselvesspeakinginfewandlow-pitchedwords，undertheholyspellofsuchsurroundings。Buttoloftiertypesofholiday-seekers，thebenignantsilencesofthewildernessareputtherebyanall-wiseProvidenceforthepurposeofbeingfracturedbyanyracketdenotingcare-freemerriment；——thelouderthemerrier。Thereisnothingsoracket-breedingasaperfectdayamidperfectscenery。
　　Thefourrevelershadpaddleddownintothelake，onaday'spicnicking。TheyhadcomefromfaruptheRamaporiver；beyondSuffern。Andthelongdownstreamjaunthadmadethemhungry。
　　Wherefore，astheyreachedmid-lakestheybegantoinspectthewoodedshoresforanattractiveluncheon-site。Andtheyfoundwhattheysought。
　　Ahalf-miletosouthward，agentlyrollingpointoflandpushedoutintothelake。Itwassmooth-shavenandemerald-bright。Itformedthelowerendofalawn；slopinggentlydownward，ahundredyardsormore，fromagrayoldhousewhichnestledhappilyamongmightyoaksonaplateauatthelowhill'ssummit。
　　Thepointwithitspatchofbeach-sandatthewater'sedge，andwithcomfortableshadefromalakesidetreeorso，promisedanidealpicnic-ground。Theshavengrassnotonlyofferedfinepossibilitiesforanafter-luncheonsnooze；butwasthemostconvenientsortofplaceforthelaterstrewingofgreasynewspapersandJapanesenapkinsandwoodenplattersandcrustsandchickenbonesandthelike。
　　Moreover，aseverelyplain"NoTrespass"sign，atthelake-margin，wouldserveasidealkindlingforajollylittlecamp-fire。Thereisalwaysazestinusingtrespassboardsforpicnicfires。Notonlyaretheyseasonedandpaintedinawaytocausequickignition，butpeoplelaughsoappreciatively，whenonetells，afterward，ofthebitofjovialaudacity。
　　Yes，thispointwasjusttheplaceforluncheonandforsiesta。
　　Itmighthavebeenmadetoorder。Andbytacitconsentthetwopaddlerssenttheirmulti-chromecanoesweepingtowardit。Fiveminuteslater，theyhadhelpedthegirlsashoreandwereliftingoutthelunch-basketandvariousnewspaperparcelsandthered-and-purplecushions。
　　Withmuchlaughterandasnatchortwoofcloseharmony，thelunchwasspread。Oneofthemenpickedoutaplaceforthefireagainstthetrunkofatwo-centuryoak；perhapsthemillionthnobleoldtreetobethreatenedthuswithdeathfromcare-freepicnickers'firesandtheothermansaunteredacrosstothetrespassboardtoannexitforkindling。
　　Everythingwassohappyandsocompleteandeveryonewashavingsuchaperfecttime！IntosuchmomentsFatelovesbesttotossTrouble。And，thisday，Fateplayedtruetoform。
　　Asthefire-maker'shandwaslaidonthetrespassboard，evenashisinconsequentialmuscleswerebracedtoripitloosefromitspost，——asquealfromthegirlinthebluepicturehatandtheNile-greengeorgettewaist，checkedhismirthfulactivities。
　　Now，therewasnothingremarkableinthefactthatthechromaticlasshadsquealed。Indeed，sheandherequallyfaircompanionhadbeensquealingatintervals，allmorning。Buttherewasnothingcoquettishorgayaboutthisparticularsqueal。Itsavoredratherofascreech。Initsshrillnotewasatinythreadofterror。Andthetwomenwheeledabout，tolook。
　　Theblue-hattedgirlhadpausedinherdaintylaborofhelpingtospreadoutthelunch；inordertopeepinquisitivelyuptheslopetowardthetree-framedhouseabove。Itmightbefun，aftereating，tostrollupthereandsquintinthroughtheverandawindows；or，——ifnoonewasathome，togatheranarmfuloftherosesthatclamberedoveroneendoftheporch。
　　Duringthatbriefexploratoryglance，hereyehadbeencaughtbysomethingmovingthroughthewoodsbeyond。
　　Behindthehouse，thesewoodsranuptothehighroad，afurlongabove。Adrivewayledtwistinglydownfromthegate-lodge，tothehouse。Alongthisdrive，waspacingadog。
　　Asthegirlcaughtsightofhim，thedoghaltedinhislazystrollandstoodeagerlyerect，hisnoseupraised，histulipearspricked。Soundorscent，orboth，hadbeenarrestedbysomeunusualpresence。Andhepausedtoverifythewarning。
　　Ashestoodthere，aninstant，intheshade-fleckeddriveway，thegirlsawhewasacollie；massive，graceful，majestic；inthefullstrengthofhisearlyprime；hisshaggycoatofburnishedmahogany-and-snowglintingbacktheshowersofsun-raysthatfiltereddownthroughtheleaves。
　　Beforethewatchinggirlcouldtakefurthernoteofhim，thedog'saspectoftenselisteningmergedintocertainty。Withnofurthershadowofdoubtastodirection，hesetoffatasweepingrunpastthehouseandtowardthepoint。
　　Heranwithheaddown；andwithtawnyruffabristle。Therewassomethinginhislithegallopthatwasasominousasitwasbeautiful。And，nervousatthegreatcollie'sapproach，thegirlsquealed。
　　IthadbeenadullmorningforLad。TheMistresswasintownfortheday。TheMasterwasshutupinhisstudy，hardatwork。And，foronce，hehadnotrememberedtocallLadtoarestingplaceonthestudyrug；beforeclosingthedoorontheoutsideworld。
　　Aloneandbored，thecolliehadwanderedintothewoods；inquestofpossiblerabbitstochaseorsquirrelstotree。Findingthesporttame，hestartedhomeward。Midwaydownthedrive，hissupersensitivenostrilscaughtthewhiffofalienhumansonthePlace。Atthesametime，heheardtheraucousgabblingofseveralvoices。Thoughhisnear-sightedeyesdidnotyetshowtheintruderstohim，yetscentandsoundmadeitridiculouslyeasyforhimtotracethem。
　　Fromearlypuppyhood，LadhadbeentheofficialguardianofthePlace。Heknewthelimitsofitsthirtyacres；fromlaketohighroad；fromboundaryfencetoboundaryfence。Heknew，too，thatvisitorsmustnotbemolestedaslongastheywereonthedriveway；butthatnostrangermightbeallowedtocrosstheland，byanyotherroute；ortotrespassonlawnoroak-grove。
　　Andnow，apparently，strangerswereholdingsomesortofunlicensedrevelry，downonthepoint。HissenseofsmelltoldhimthatneithertheMasternoranyoneelsebelongingtothePlacewaswiththem。TruewatchdogindignationswelledupinLad'sheart。Andheranattopspeed。
　　Thegirl'sthreecompanions，turningatsightofhergesturinghand，beheldamahogany-and-whitethunderboltwhizzingdownthehundred-yardslopetowardthem。
　　Itchancedthatboththemenhadservedlongapprenticeshipasdog-fanciers；andthatbothofthemknewcollies。Thus，nosecondlookwasneeded。OneglimpseofthesilentlychargingLadtoldthemalltheyneededtoknow。Notinthiswaydoesablatantorbluffingwatchdogseektoshooofftrespassers。Thisgiantcollie，withhisloweredheadandglintingfangsandrufflinghackles，meantbusiness。Andthemenactedaccordingly。
　　"Runforit！"bellowedoneofthem；settingasplendidexamplebyreachingthebeachedcanoeatasinglescramblingbound。Thesecondmanwasnowhitbehindhim。Betweenthem，thecanoe，atoneshove，waslaunched。Thefirstmangrabbedoneofthegirlsbythearmandpropelledherintothewobblingcraft；whiletheothershovedoff。Theremaininggirl，——sheoftheazureheadgearandtheverdantwaist，——slippedonthegrassybank，inherflight，andsatdownveryhard，atthewater'sedge。Alreadythecanoewassixfeetfromshore；andbothmenweredoingcreditableacrobaticstuntstokeepitfromturningturtle。
　　"Standperfec'lystill，"oneofthemexhortedthedamsel，ashesawwithhorrorthatshehadbeenleftashoreinthetumblingflight。"Standstillanddon'tholler！Keepyourhandshigh。It'slikelyhewon'tbotheryou。Thesehighbredcolliesareprettygentlewithwomen；butsomeof'emarebluemurdertostrangemen。He——"
　　Themanswayedforbalance。Hisfellow-herohadbroughtthecanoeabout，inanefforttosmitewithupliftedpaddleattheoncomingdogwithoutventuringtooclosetothedanger-line。
　　Inthesamemoment，Ladhadgainedthebrinkofthelake。
　　Ignoringthepanic-struckwomanonthebank，heflashedpastherandgalloped，body-deep，intothewater；towardtheswayingcanoe。
　　Herehepaused。ForLadwasanythingbutafool。And，likeotherwisecollies，hehadsenseenoughtorealizethataswimmingdogisoneofthemosthelplesscreaturesintheuniverse；whenitcomestoself-defense。
　　Ashore，orinwatershallowenoughtomaneuverhispowerfulbody，Ladcouldgiveexcellentaccountofhimselfagainstanynormalfoe。But，beyondhisdepth，hewouldfalleasyvictimtothefirstwell-aimedpaddle-stroke。Andheknewit。Thus，hesitant，hissnarlingteethnottwoyardsfromthecanoe，hestoodgrowlinginfutileindignationatthecrankycraft'scrankieroccupants。
　　Thegirlwhoremainedonshorepluckedupenoughpanic-couragetocatchhergaudypinkparasolbytheferuleandtoswingitsheavyhandlewithallherfear-drivenstrengthatLad'sskull。Luckily，theaimwasasbadasitwasvehement。Thehandlegrazedthedog'sshoulder，thenstruckthelakewithaforcethatsnappedtheflimsyparasolintwo。Whereatthegirlshriekedaloud；andscuttledbackasLadspunaroundtofaceher。
　　Butshemightaswellhavesparedherselfthescream。Shewasinnodanger。True，thecolliehadwhirledtoseekandresentthisnewsourceofattack。But，seeingonlyayellingandretreatingwomanbehindhim，hecontentedhimselfwithamenacinggrowl，andturnedagaintowardthecanoe。
　　Oneofthemen，poisinghimself，hadswungalofthispaddle。Now，withfullstrength，hebroughtdowntheedgedbladeatthedog'shead。
　　Butitisonethingtoaimablow，fromatiltingcanoe；andquiteanothertomakethatblowlandinthespotaimedfor。
　　Thewhizzingpaddle-blademissedLad，clean。Notonlybecausethedogveeredsharplyasideasitdescended，butbecausethecanoe，underthejarringheaveofthestriker'sbody，proceededtoturnturtle。
　　Intothewaterploppedthetwomen。Intothewater，withthem，splashedtheirrescuedcompanion。Thisgentlesoulhadnotceasedscreaming，fromthetimeshewashauledaboard。Butnow，submergencecutshorthercries。Asecondlater，thelamentationsrecommenced；inhigherifmoreliquidvolume。For，theshore，atthepointslopedverygraduallyouttodeeperwater。Andimmediately，sheandthetwomenhadregainedtheirfoothold。
　　There，chestdeepthetriostoodorstaggered。And，there，betweenthemandthebeach，ragedLad。Noneofthethreecaredtoriskwadingshoreward，withsuchanobstaclebetweenthemselvesandland。Thegirlonthebankaddedherquotaofsquallstothoseofhersemi-engulfedfriend；andoneofthemenbegantoreachfarunderwaterforarocktothrowattheguarddog。
　　ThefirstshrillcryhadreachedtheMaster，ashesatatworkinhisstudy。Downtheslopehecamerunning；andstoppedinslack-jawedamazeatthetableauinfrontofhim。
　　Onthebankhoppedandwriggledawomaninvividgarments，——awomanwhowavedabrokenparasolandseemedtobepracticinganIndianwar-howl。Elbowdeepintheplacidwatersofthelakeflounderedanotherwomanalmostaswonderfullyattiredasthefirst，andquiteasvocal。Oneithersideofherwasadrenchedandgesticulatingman。Inthebackgroundbobbedanupsetcanoe。
　　BetweenthetwodisruptedfactionsofthehappypicnicpartystoodLad。
　　Thecolliehadceasedtogrowl；and，withheadononeside，waslookingineagerinquiryattheMaster。Ladhadcarriedthiswatchdogexploittoapointwherethenextmovewashardtofigureout。HewasgladtheMasterhadarrived，totakechargeofthesituation。Itseemedtocallforhuman，ratherthancanine，solution。AndLadwasprofoundlyinterestedastothesequel。Allofwhichshowedasclearlyinthecollie'swhimsicallyexpressivefaceaseveritcouldhavebeensetforthinprint。
　　Bothmenbegantotalkatonce；withluridearnestnessandvastwealthofgesture。Sodidthewomen。
　　Therewasnoneed。TheMaster，already，hadcaughtsightofthehalf-spreadlunchonthegrass。Anditwasbynomeanshisfirstorhistenthexperiencewithtrespassers。Heunderstood。Snappinghisfingers，tosummonLadtohisside，hepattedthedog'ssilkenhead；andstrovenottolaugh。
　　"Andjustaswewassittingdown，peaceful，toeat，andnotharmingnooneatallandmindingourownbusiness，"cameafragmentofoneman'soration，abovetheclamoroftheothers，"thatbigdark-sablecollieofyourscametearingdownonusand——"
　　Thetripleoppositionofoutcryandcomplaintblurredtherestofhisenragedwhine。ButtheMasterlookedoutathiminnewinterest。Themanhadusedtheterm，"dark-sablecollie"；which，bytheway，wasthetechnicalphraseforLad'scoloring。Notonenon-collie-maninathousandwouldhaveknownthemeaningoftheterm；tosaynothingofusingitbyinstinct。TheMasterstaredcuriouslyattheflounderingandsputteringspeaker。
　　"Aren'tyouthemanageroftheLochaberCollieKennels，upatBeauville？"heasked，speakingloudenoughtobeheardabovethesubsidingdin。"IthinkI'veseenyouatWestminsterandatsomeofthelocalshows。Highamisyourname，isn'tit？"
　　"Yes，itis，"returnedthekennelman，truculent，butsurprisedalmostintocivility。"Andthisismyassistant，MisterRice。Andthesetwoyoungladyfriendsofoursare——Say！"hebrokeoff，furiously，rememberinghisplightandswingingbacktorage，ashebegantowadeshoreward。"We'regoingtohavethelawonyou，friend！Yourcollietackleduswhenwewaspeaceably-"
　　"Whenyouwerepeaceablyignoringthistrespasssignofmine？"
　　finishedtheMaster。"Don'tforgetthat。Ifyoudidn'thavethesegirlswithyou，I'dkeepmyhandsoffLad'scollarandlethimholdyououtinthelaketillitfreezesforthewinter。Asitis，oneofyoumencanswimoutforyourcanoeandtowitin；andthentherestofyoucanbundleaboarditandfinishyourpicniconsomebodyelse'sland。"
　　"Well！"shrilledthewetdamsel，stridingshorewardlikesomesloppilyoverdressedVenusrisingfromthesea。"Well！IMUST
　　say！Niceneighborly，hospitablewaytotreatpoorunfortunate——！"
　　"Trespassers？"suggestedtheMaster，asshegropedforaclimaxword。"You'reright。Itisnowaytotreatawomanwhohasfallenintothelake；trespasserornot。Ifyouandthisotheryoungladycaretogouptothekitchen，themaidswillseethatyourclothesaredried；andthey'lllendyouotherclothestogohomein。Ladwon'thurtyou。Andinthishotweatheryou'reinnodangerofcatchingcold。Whileyou'regone，HighamandRicecangetholdofthecanoeandrightitandbailitout。And，bytheway，Iwantoneofyoutwomentoclearthatlitteroffoodandgreasypaperoffmylawn。Then——"
　　"Intothekitchen！"snortedthewetmaid。"IntotheKITCHEN？I'malady！Idon'tgointokitchens。I——"
　　"No？"queriedtheMaster，tryingoncemorenottolaugh。"Well，mywifedoes。Sodoesmymother。Ispokeofthekitchenbecauseit'stheonlyroomwithafireinit，inthisweather。Ifyou'dpreferthebarnor——"
　　"Iwon'tsteponefootinyourhouse！"declaimedthegirl。"NoryetIdidn'tcomeheretobeinsulted。You'vegoneandspoiledourwholeday，youbigbrute！Boys，gogetthatcanoe！Wewon'tlowerourselvesbystayinganotherminuteonhisrottenland。
　　Afterward，ourlawyer'llseewhat'sthepenaltyfortreatinguslikethis！Hurryup！"
　　Ricehadclumpedalongshoreuntilhefoundadeadbranchwashedupinarecentrainstorm。Wadingbackintodeeperwaterhewasjustabletoreachthegunwaleofthedriftingcanoewiththeforkedendoftheboughand，bycarefuljockeying，tohaulitwithinhand-grasp。
　　AidedbyHigham，hedrewtheoverturnedcrafttothebeachandrightedit。Allthetime，bothmenmaintainedahalf-coherentdiatribe，whoselanguagewaxedhotterandhotterandwhosethunderboltscenteredabouttheMasterandhisdog；——particularlyaboutLad；——andaboutthedirelegalpenaltieswhichweretobeinflictedonthem。
　　TheMaster，stillholdingLad'sruff，stoodtoonesideduringtheworkofsalvagingthecanoe；andwhileRicereplacedthepaddlesandcushionsinit。Onlywhenthetwowomenwerehelpedsputteringlyaboarddidheinterfere。
　　"Oneminute！"hesaid。"Ithinkyou'veforgottenyourlunch。Thatandthereamortwoofnewspapersyou'vestrewnaround:andafewwoodendishes。I——"
　　"Ipickedupallthelunchthatwasworthsaving，"gruntedRice。
　　"Yourmangycollietrampledtherestofit，whenherandownhereatus。Iwishtit'dhadstrychniainitandhe'detit！We'llgoeatourdinnerovertothevillage。And，beforewego，IgotthismuchmoretosaytoYOU:——If——"
　　"Beforeyougo，"interruptedtheMaster，shiftinghimselfandLadbetweenHighamandthecanoe，"beforeyougo，letmeremindyouthatyou'veleftalotoflitteronmycleanlawn；andthatI
　　askedyoutocleanitup。"
　　"Gocleanitup，yourself！"snappedRice，fromtheboat。"Thisupstagetalkabout'trespassing'makesmesick！Assoonasaguyhasathree-dollarpatchofbumlandwithamortgageeatingitup，mostlikely，healwaysblatsabout'trespassing'wheneverdecentfolkshappenstowalkonit。Gocleanupthepapers，yourself！Weain'tyourslaves。You'reduetohearalotfromus，later，too。Cleanit，yourself！"
　　Theladiesapplaudedthesestirringproletariatsentimentsrightvigorously。ButHighamdidnotapplaud。Riceandthewomenwereinthecanoe。Highamhadgonebacktothepicnicsiteforanoverlookedcushion。Onreturningtowardthebeach，hehadfoundtheMasterandLadstandinginhisway。Loftily，hemadeasthoughtoskirtthemandreachthecanoe。
　　"WATCHhim，Laddie！"whisperedtheMaster，loosinghisholdonthedog'sruff。
　　This，inthemidstofRice'stirade。Highamstoodextremelystill。Astheothersapplauded，hebegan，veryfervently，toswear。
　　"Higham，"suggestedtheMaster，"I'venopersonalobjectiontoyourblasphemy。Ifthewomenofyourpartycanstandit，Ican。
　　Butaren'tyouwastingagooddealoftime！Thesepapershaveallgottobepickedup，youknow；andthecampnicelypoliced。Getbusy。"
　　Highamgloweredonhiminmurderoushate；thenatthetenselywatchingdog。Lad'supperlipcurled。Themantookatentativesteptowardthebeach。Ladcrouched，panther-like；andalowgrowlpartedstillfurtherhiswrithinglips。
　　Highamwasenoughofacolliemantoforeseetheinevitablenextmove。Hestoodstockstill。TheMasterputhishandoncemoreonLad'sruff；butnonetootightly。Andhenoddedtowardtheclutterofnewspapersandwoodenplates。Higham'slanguagesoaredspoutinglytohighheaven。Butheturnedbackand，withviciousgrabs，clearedthelawnofitsunsightlylitter。
　　"Takeitintotheboatwithyou。"saidtheMaster。"That'sall。
　　Goodbye。SeeyouattheBeauvilleshow。"
　　Waitingonlyforthecanoeanditsfourvociferousoccupantstostartsafelyfromshore，theMasterreturnedtothehouse；Ladathisheels；pursuedbyaquadrupleavalancheofabusefromthedamptrespassers。
　　"There'llbeacomebackofsomekindtothis，Laddie，"hetoldthecollie，astheymovedon。"Idon'tknowjustwhatit'llbe。
　　Butthosetwoworthyyouthsdidn'tlookatalllovinglyatus。
　　Andthere'snothingelseincountrylifesofilthilymeanasanevictedtrespasser。Don'tlet'ssayanythingtotheMistressaboutit，Lad。It'donlyworryher！And——andshe'llthinkIoughttohaveinvitedallthosepanhandlersuptothehousetogetdry。
　　Perhapsshe'dberight，too。Shegenerallyis。"
　　Aweeklater，Ladreceivedasummonsthatmadehisheartsink。
　　Forheknewpreciselywhatitforetold。Hewascalledtothebathroom；whereawaitedhimatubhalffullofwarmwater。
　　Now，bathswerenonoveltytoLad。Butwhenabathtubcontainedcertainingredientsfromboxesonthedog-closetshelf，——ingredientsthatfluffthecoatandburnishitandmakeallitshairsstandoutlikeaCircassianBeauty's，thatmeantbutonething。
　　Itmeantadog-showwasathand。
　　AndLadloatheddog-shows，asheloathedtrampsandcastoroilandmotorcycles。
　　Afterasingleexperience，hehadneverbeentakentooneofthosecanineordealsknownas"three-or-more-dayshows。"ButtheMistressandtheMasterrejoicedathistriumphsatsuchlocalone-dayshowsaswerewithinpleasantdrivingdistanceofthePlace。Theseexhibitionsentailednogreatstrainordanger。
　　Lad'schiefobjectiontothemwasthathehatedtobechirpedtoandpawedandstareduponbyanarmyofstrangers。
　　Suchaone-dayeventwastheoutdoorCharityDogshowattheBeauvilleCountryClub，fortymilestonortheastofthePlace；aneasytwo-hourdrive。Itwastobea"specialtyshow"；atwhichtherichnessandvarietyofprizeswereexpectedtoatoneforthelackofA。K。C。pointsinvolved。
　　Apremium-listoftheshowhadbeenmailedtothePlace；andoneofits"specials"hadcaughttheMistress'squickeyeandquickerimagination。ThespecialwasofferedbyAngusMcGilead，anexiledScotwhoselifefadwastheCollie；andwhosechiefgrievancewasthatmostAmericanbreedersdidnotseemabletoproducecollieswiththeunbelievablewealthofouter-and-undercoatdisplayedbytheoverseadogs。Thisparticularspecialwasofferedinthefollowingterms:
　　EmbossedSterlingSilverCup，9InchesHighGenuineAntiqueForTheBest-CoatedCollieShown。
　　Now，Lad'scoatwastheprideoftheMistress'sheart。Bydailybrushingsshekeptitinperfectconditionandencourageditsluxuriantgrowth。WhenshereadofMcGilead'seccentricoffer，shefelltovisualizingthe"embossedsterlingsilvercup，9
　　incheshighgenuineantique"asitwouldloomupfromthehedgeofdog-showprizesalreadyadorningthelivingroomtrophy-shelves。
　　Summeristhezerohourforcollies'coats。Yet，thisyear，Ladhadnotyetbeguntoshedhiswinterraiment；andhewasstillinfullbloom。ThisfactdecidedtheMistress。Notonecollieintenwouldbeinanythinglikeperfectcoat。Andtheprizecupgrewclearerandnearer，tohermentalvision。Hencetheseriesofspecialbathsandbrushings。Hence，too，Laddie'sdaily-increasinggloom。
　　Ateighto'clockonthemorningoftheshow，theMistressandtheMaster，withLadstretchedforlornlyontherearseatofthecar，setforthuptheValleyontheforty-mileruntoBeauville。Onthetonneaufloor，infrontofLad，restedabatteredsuitcase，whichheldhistoiletappurtenances；——brushes，comb，talcum，Frenchchalk，show-leash，sponge，crashtowel，squeakingrubberdollthistoattracthisboredinterestintheringandmakehim"show"andaboxoflivercutinsmallbitsandfriedstiff。
　　Ladblinkeddownatthesuitcaseinmorosedisapproval。Hehatedthatbag。Itspelt"dogshow"tohim。Eventhepresenceofthedeliciousfriedliverandofthemildlydramaticsqueakingdollcouldnotatonefortherestofitscontentsandforalltheyimplied。
　　AsthecarsentthemilesslippingbehindandastheMistressandtheMasterglancedbacklessandlessoftenforapatoracheerywordtotheirsulkingchum，Lad'sdislikeforthatpestilentialbaggrewsharper。True，itheldsquaresoffriedliver；——liverwhoseheavenlyodorpenetratedthroughthemustyleathersmellofthesuitcaseandtothedog'sacutesenses。Also，itheldadollwhichexudedthrillingsqueakswhengentlybitten。Butthesethings，heknewfullwell，weredesignedasshow-ringbaits；notasfreegifts。
　　No，thebagwashisenemy。And，unlikehisfewothernaturalfoes，Ladhadneverbeenbiddentoleaveitunmolested。Thismemorycametohim，inthemidstofhisblues。Heeyedtheloathsomesuitcasethroughquizzicalhalf-shuteyes，asitrockedandcareenedathisfeetwitheveryjounceofthecar。Andintohisbrainshotthedevilofmischief。
　　Bendingdownhisshapelyhead，hetookthehandleofthecasebetweenhisteeth。Then，bracinghislittlewhiteforepawsontheslipperyleatherseat，heheavedwithallthemightystrengthofhisbackandshoulders。Undersuchurgence，thelightsuitcaseswunghighinair。Asidewaystossofthemuscularthroat，andthesuitcasewhirledclearofthecardoorandoftherunning-boardbeneath。ThenLadletgo；andsettledhimselfbacksmuglyintheseat。Thelucklesssuitcasesmotetheroaddustandrolledintoagrassyditch。Thecarspedon。Lad，forthemoment，wasnearlyhappy。Ifhewerenotabletododgetheshowitself，atleasthehadgottenridoftheodiousthingwhichheldsomuchhedetestedandwhichwasalwaysaninseparablepartoftheordealshewastakento。
　　Arrivedatthecountryclubwhosegroundshadbeenfittedforthecharityshow，Ladwasbenchedintheshade。Andthere，alltherestofthemorning，heremained。ForLoder，judgeofthecolliesandOldEnglishSheepdogsandoftwootherbreeds，hadmissedatrainfromCanada；andhadnotyetarrived。Hisvariousclasseswereheldup，pendinghisadvent。
　　"Loder'saluckyman，atthat，"commentedtheToyBreedsjudge，withwhomtheMasterchancedtobetalking。"Andhe'llbestillluckierifhemissesthewholeshow。You'smallexhibitors'havenonotionoftherottendealhandedtoadog-showjudge；——thoughlotsofyoudomorethanyoursharetowardmakinghislifeaburden。Beforethejudgingbegins，someoftheexhibitorsactasiftheywantedtokisshim。Nothing'stoogoodforhim。Hewadeschin-deepthroughflatteryandlovingattentions。Then，afterthejudgingisover，heisaboutaspopularwiththosesameexhibitorsasatyphoidgerm。Noonecansaybadenoughthingsabouthim。He's'incompetent，'he's'agrafter，——'he's'afraidofthebigkennels，'——he's'drunk。'He'sanyofthesethings；orallofthemputtogether。Nobody'ssatisfied。Everybodyhashadarawdeal。Everybody'shammerisoutforthepoorslobofajudge。
　　Well，noteverybody's，ofcourse。Therearesomerealsportsmenleftcrawlingonthesurfaceoftheearth。Butthebigmajoritypanhim，allthewayhome；andthensomeofthemroasthiminprint。TheIncomeTaxmanisapopularfavorite，comparedwithadog-showjudge。"
　　"But——"
　　"Then，again，"pursuedtheToyBreedsman，"he'sgottoleavehisheartathome，ifhedoesn'twantittoachewhenhehasto'gate'thesecond-ratemuttsshownbyoutsiderswhoneverexhibitedbeforeandwhothinktheirpetdogoughttogeteveryprizebecausehe'ssocunningandfriendly。Ihateto——"
　　TheMistresscamehurryingupfromacarefulinspectionofthelineofcollies。Drawingherhusbandaside，shewhispered，excitedly"There'sonlyoneothercolliehere，whosecoatcananywherenearequalLaddie's。Therestareallinshabbysummercoat。Comeacrossandletmeshowhimtoyou。I'm——I'mafraidhehasagorgeouscoat。Notthat_I_thinkit'shalfasgoodasLad's，"
　　sheadded，loyally，asshepilotedtheMasterbetweenthedoublelinesofclamorousdogs。"But——oh，I'msoafraidthejudgemaythinkitis！Yousee，hedoesn'tknowLaddieaswedo。"
　　Shestoppedbeforeabenchwhereonlayapalegoldensablecollie；almostcorn-colored；whoboastedawealthandmagnificenceofcoatthatmadetheMasteropenhiseyeswide。
　　ThedogwassmallerandslighterofframethanwasLad。Nor，inheadandexpression，washeLad'sequal。Buthiscoatwaseverybitasluxuriant。Indeed，therewasperhapsashademoreofitthanLadcarried。
　　Acollie'scoat，asarule，takesaboutsevenmonthstogrow。
　　Thus，eachyear，itcomesintofullbloomalittlelaterthanontheyearbefore。And，incourseoftime，itispronetoreachitsclimaxofexcellenceinsummer。ThiswasthelotofbothLadandthepaler-hueddog。
　　"LochaberKing，"readtheMaster，fromhiscatalog。"H'm！That'sColonelOsbourne'sgreatestpup。Remember，wesawhimatWestminster？It'snip-and-tuck，betweenhimandLad；withalittleinthisdog'sfavor。Toughluck！"
　　"Oh，thishasbeenjustoneofthosedaysnobodywants！"mournedtheMistress。"First，ourforgettingtobringalongLaddie'ssuitcase，thoughIcouldhaveswornIsawyouliftitaboard，——andthenthejudgenotbeinghere；andnowthishorridcolliewithhiswonderfulcoat！Whatnext，Iwonder？"
　　Likeawell-stagedbitofmechanism，thereplytoherrhetoricalquestioncamedowntoherfromheaven。Itcameintheshapeofathunder-rollthatbeganfaroffandreverberatedfrommountaintomountain；thenmuttereditselfintosilenceinthemoredistanthills。TheMistress，likeeveryoneelse，lookedskyward。
　　Thehazyblueofthesummernoonwaspalingtodirtygrayandblack。UpfromtheHudson，afast-mountingarrayofdunandflame-shotcloudswerebuttingtheirbullyingway。Noweather-prophetwasneededtotellthesehillcountryfolkthattheywereinforathunderstorm；——andforwhatonekennel-mandescribedas"areg'larol'he-one，"atthat。
　　Now，underrightconditions，anopen-airdogshowisathingofbeautyandofjoy。AtsuchplacesasTuxedoandoneortwoothersitisasighttoberemembered。Butinrainyweather，——especiallyinatumultuousthunderstorm，ithasnotoneredeemingfeature。
　　TheBeauvilleShowCommittee，——likeallexpertsinsuchmatters，hadtakenthischanceintoaccount。Downtheaislesofbenchesandthroughthequestioningandscaredgroupsofexhibitorsranattendantsandofficials；shoutingthattheCountryClubpolostablesandthewidespacesundertheclubhouseverandashadbeenfittedupforemergencyquarters，wherethedogsmightbehoused，dryandsafe，untilthepassingofthestorm。
　　UptotheMasterhurriedaclubpage-boy。
　　"Thisway，sir！"hepanted。"Isavedaspecialboxstall，inthefirststable，foryourcollie。"
　　"YOUsavedit？"queriedthepuzzledMaster，whiletheMistressbegantounfastenLad'sleash。"Howdidyouhappentodothat？"
　　"Iwastoldto，sir，"answeredtheboy。"A——agentlemantoldmeto，justnow。Oneoftheof'cersoftheclub。Idon'tknowhisname。Heshowedmethestall；andhetoldmetotakeyourdogthere。"
　　"That'smighty，decent；whoeverdidit，"saidtheMaster，whistlingthefreeddogtohimandsettingforthintheboy'swake，towardthewelcomingstables。"Iwishyouknewhisname。
　　I'dliketothankhim。"
　　Thestablewasdim-lit，atbest。Now，thegatheringstormmadeitasdarkastwilight。TheboxstalltowhichLadwasledwasalmostpitchblack；itsshutteredwindowbeingclosed。Still，itwasshelter。LeavingtheMasterandtheMistresstoconsignLadtohisnewquarters，theboyscuttledoftoaharness-room。
　　There，aneagerly-questioningmanwasawaitinghim。
　　"Yep，"brokeintheboy，throughavolleyofinquiries。"Idoneit，allright，allright，Mr。Higham。They'remoorin'himinStallFive，rightnow。Howaboutthosetwosoftdollars？Hey？"
　　"Youearned'em，O。K。，"grinnedHigham。"Hereyouare。
　　Two，——count'em，two。Andnow，chasealong，sonny。I'mbusy。"
　　Heturnedtoalargebowlinwhichhehadbeenmixingthecontentsofthreeorfourbottles。Andtheboysawhisfingerswerefieryred。
　　"What'sthematter？"demandedtheyoungster，inhighexcitement。
　　"That'sblood，ain'tit？"
　　"No，"deniedHigham。"Blood'slightred。Thisiscrimson。
　　RememberthetimeweruninthatjokeonDaddyPrice，bydippinghisprizewhiteleghornsincrimsondye，justbeforetheMadisonSquareGardenPoultryShow？Well，thisisthesamestuff。"
　　"DoIrememberit？"snickeredtheboy。"Hewasragin'，forfair。
　　Couldn'tgetitoff，tosavehim。Itstayed，thatcolor，on'em，tillthey'dshedthelastoneoflastyear'scropoffeathers。
　　Sure，Iremember。Whywouldn'tI？Didn'tIgitadollarforholdin''emforyou？Andanotherdollarforkeepin'mymouthshut？Butwhatareyoulottin'todowiththestuff，thistime？
　　Nochickenshere；or——"
　　"Nope，"assentedHigham。"Nochickenshere。Holdon，asecond！"
　　Hestood，musing。Thenhespoke。
　　"Iwasgoingtoplayalonehand，onthis，"hesaid，presently。
　　"Ididn'tevendareletRiceinonit。He'dbedead-suretotellthatgabbygirlhe'sgoingtomarry。Andit'dgetalloverthecountryinaweek。Andthat'dlosememyjob，ifthebossheardofit。Iwasgoingtoplayitalone。That'swhyIleftRiceandWilletttoputupthedogsforme。But，——I'mblestifIknowhowI'mtoholdhimanddyehimatthesametime。He'sasstrongasanox。You——you'reagood，close-tonguedkid，Harry。YoukeptyourmouthshutaboutPrice'schickens。Couldyoukeepitshut，——foranotherdollar，——aboutthis？Ifyou'lldothat，andlendmeahand——Howaboutit？"
　　"What'sthemainidea？"askedtheboy，muchintriguedbythebeautyofthedyeonHigham'sfingers；andsquirmingwithembarrassedself-importanceattheman'sflatteringtone。"I'llhelpout，allright。Only，——"
　　"Here'sthenotion，"saidHigham，comingoutofmomentaryself-communion。"Andifyoueverspillit，yourmailwillbesenttoyouatthehosp't'l，foraspell。YousawthatbigdarksablecollieIhadyousteerintoStallFive？ItcostmeanothertwodollarstogetAbramstoletmehavetheuseofthatstall。Theideacometome，inajolt，firstcrackofthunderIheard。Well，I'mdueto'get'thatdogandthemuckerwhoownshim，too。ThemandIhadarun-in，once；andIbeenhoningforachancetosquarethings，eversince。I'veseen'ematshowsandI'veaskedfolksabout'em，too。Hesetsmorestorebythatdogthanhe'dsetbymosthumans。He'spleasedasPunch，everytimethecolliehaulsdownacupatoneoftheseneighborhoodshows。Well，thatdogain'tgoingtobefittogotoanothershow，forayear。Heain'tgoingtobefittolookat，forthatlong。He'sgoingtobealaughingstock。Hisownerswon'tbraganymoreabouthim，neither。They'llbegladenoughtokeephimoutofsight。"
　　Theboy，listeningwithever-wideningeyes，chancedtoshifthisgazetothebigbowlofnew-mixeddye。Andalightbrokeonhim。
　　"You——you'reaimin'tosoakhimwiththatstuff？"hewhispered，inaweatsuchcombinedcourageandgenius。
　　"Uh-uh，"assentedHigham。"Idon'tknowwhatcolorthecrimsonstuffwillturnthedarkpartofhiscoat。Butwhatevercoloritis，it'llbeasfunnyasaboxofthree-tailedsnakes。I'veputaglassofammoniaintothedye，tomakeit'set'quicker。It——"
　　"Gee，butyou'reawonder！"sighedtheworshipingboy。"D'yes'poseI'llevergittobeassmartasyouare？"
　　"Italldependsonhowyoumakeuseofyourbrains，"returnedHigbam，complacently。"ButIwassomesmarterthanyoutobeginwith。I——"
　　"But——"
　　Highamwenton，morebriskly:
　　"I'vegotthisbagtoputoverhisheadwhenIopenthestalldoor。That'llputhimoutofthebitingbusiness，tillit'speeledawayfromhisjaws，afterhe'sgotarealgoodrubbing。
　　Buthe'lllikelywriggle，alot。AndI'llneedyoutositonhishead。Likewisetocarrythisbowlandthesponge，whileI'mopeningthedoorandgettingthebagoverhishead。Areyougame？"
　　"Isuream！"breathedtheenrapturedboy。
　　"Come'long，then。Thestuff'sready；andwedon'twanttowasteanytime。Goaheadandseeifthere'sanyoneinthatendofthestable。"Twominuteslater，thepairgropedtheirwaythroughthedensegloom，toStallFive。Theywalkedwithexaggeratedcare；
　　thoughtheroarofthestormwouldhavedeadenedthesoundofacavalrycharge。Handingoverthebowlandspongetohisassistant，Highamproducedfromunderhiscoatathickburlapbagwithadrawstringatitsneck。Then，heopenedthedooroftheboxstall，afewinchesandstaredin。
　　Bystraininghiseyes，hecouldjustseethevagueoutlineofthebigcollie。Thedogarosefromabundleofstraw，stretchedhimselfforeandaft，andwalkedgravelyforwardtowelcomethevisitorswhoweresokindlyeasinghisloneliness。Hewasbarelyvisible，inthedimness。
　　ButtherewaslightenoughforHigham'spurpose。Withpracticedhand，heshovedthebagoverthebeautifulsilkenhead，asthecolliesteppedmajesticallytowardhim。Then，deftly，hethrewtheindignantandstrugglingdogtothefloor，andbadetheboycomein；andshutthegatebehindhim。
　　Withthepassingofanotherhour，therainceased；andagloryofafternoonsunlightbathedthefreshenedworld。Ataboutthesametime，thebelatedcolliejudgearrivedattheclubhouse。Wordwassentforththatalldogsweretohereturnedtotheirbenchesandthatthejudgingofthecolliesandofcertainotherbreedswouldbeginatonce。
　　Therewasageneralhustleandconfusion，asexhibitorsledforththeirdogsfromshelter；benchingthemandplyingbrushandchalkandtowelinfrantichaste。
　　HighamsummonedRiceandanotherofthekennelmenandbadethembringforththeLochaberdogs。Insteadofhelpingthemwithhistask，Highamhimselfrantothetopoftheclubhousesteps，fromwhichhecouldsurveynotonlythebenchesbutalsothestablesandthelawnbetween。There，quiveringwithhard-heldexcitement，hestood；withtheairofonewhohaschosenagrandstandseatforsomethrillingevent。Heworeapairofthickgloves。Ashehaddiscardedthelinendusterwhichhehadwornduringthedyeingprocess，therewasnobetrayingsplashofcoloronhisseverelycorrectgarb。
　　Peopleweretroopingoutfromtheshelteroftheclubhouse。Withhalfaneye，Highamobservedthese；chucklingatthoughtoftheeverincreasingnumberofspectatorstohisrarecomedy。Ofasudden，thechucklechangedtoagasp。
　　Outthroughthedoorway，andontotheveranda，strolledColonelOsbourne，owneroftheLochaberCollieKennels。WithhimwalkedtheMistressandtheMaster。
　　AttheMistress'ssidepacedLad。
　　"Itwassocarelessofustoleavethesuitcaseathome！"theMistresswassaying。"Idon'tknowhowwecouldhavegroomedhim，Colonel，ifyouhadn'tcometoourrescuebyturningthatkitbag'sheaven-sentcontentsovertous。Besides，itgaveustheexcusetobringLaddieupintothehouse；insteadofleavinghimallaloneinthatblackstall。Hehatesthunderstorms，and——"
　　Ayell，fromsomewhere，interruptedher。Theyellwascaughtup。
　　Itmergedintoamultipleroarofinextinguishablelaughter。TheMistresssawahundredfacesallturnedinonedirection，Thefaceswereconvulsedwithmirth。Ahundredderisivelywonderingfingerswerepointing。Sherantotheverandarailandlookeddown。
　　Acrossthepatchofgreensward，fromthestables，amanandadogwereadvancing。Themanwasshakinghisfistattheworldatlargeandfairlydancingwithrage。
　　Butitwasthedog，andnothe，thatcausedtheHomericgustsofmerrimentandthegobblingchorusofamazedquestions。Thedogwasacollie；nobleofaspect，massiveofcoat。
　　Butthatsamecoatviedwiththesettingsuningarishbrilliancyofhue。Neversincethebirthoftime，hadsuchabeastbeenseenbymortals。Fromthetipofhisaristocraticnosetotheplumeofhissweepingtail，thecolliewasoneblazinglyvividmassofcrimson！Hefairlyirradiatedflaringredlights。Hiscoatwaswetandithungstickilytohisleansides，asifhehadjustcomefromaswim。Anditwastintedlikeachromoofaprairiefire。
　　Followingmoreslowlytotheveranda'sedge，ColonelOsbournehadbegunareplytotheMistress'shalf-finishedspeechofgratitudeforhishospitality。
　　"Iwasonlytoogladtobeofservice，"saidhe。"That'sagranddogyouhave。Itwasarealpleasuretohelpinhisgrooming。
　　Besides，Iprofitedbyit。Yousee，myLochaberKingwasquarteredinamuddycornerundertheveranda。SoItookthelibertyoftellingmyman，Rice，toputhiminthatcomfortablebigstallofLad's。Iamthechiefgainerbythe——"
　　Hiscourtlyspeechbecameagurgleofhorror。For，hiseyesfellontheraginglyadvancingRice。And，bydeduction，herecognizedthecrimsonmonstrosityatRice'sheelsashisbelovedLochaberKing。
　　BeforetheapoplecticColonelcouldspeak，Ladcreatedadiversiononhisownaccount。Hehadbeensniffingtheair，reminiscently，forafewseconds。Now，hiseyesverifiedwhathisnostrilshadtoldhim。Apallidlyglaringandshakingman，leaningagainsttheverandarailforsupport，hadanoddlyfamiliarscentandappearancetoLaddie。
　　Thecolliesteppedforwardtoinvestigate。Thenerve-smashedHighamsawhimcoming；andthrustoutoneglovedhandinfrightenedrebuff。
　　Theflickinggesturewasunpleasantlylikeablow。Asthemenacinghandslappedtowardhisjaws，Ladcaughtatit，inwaryself-defense。
　　Herecalledthisman，now。Herememberedhehadbeenbiddento"watch"him。Hedidnotspringathisassailant。Butawarningsnapansweredthefrenziedthrustofthehand。Histeethclosedlightlyontheglove-fingers，justasHigham，infear，jerkedbackhisarm。
　　Thelooseglovecameawayinthedog'smouth。
　　ColonelOsbourne，wheelingabouttodemandsomeexplanationofhiskennel-manager，beheldabarehandasvividlycrimsonasLochaberKing'sruinedcoat。
　　"Laddie，"observedtheMistress，thatevening，assheplacedonthetoptrophy-shelfanembossedsilvercup，antique，andnineincheshigh，andstoodbackpridefully，tonotetheeffect。
　　"Laddie，Iknow——IjustKNOW，——you'dhavewonit，evenifpoorLochaberKinghadcompeted。But，——oh，IwishIcouldmakeheadortailofanyofthethingsthathavehappened，today！Howdoyousupposeitallstarted，anyhow，dear？"sheasked，turningtoherhusbandforhelpintheriddle。
　　"I'dbewillingtobetayear'spayit'allstarted'aboutsixfeetfromshoreinthislake，"respondedtheMaster，"andaboutafortnightago。"
　　Buthespokeitinthedepthsofhisownguiltilyexultantheart。
　　Outwardly，hemerelygrinned；andsaidwithvacuousconviction:
　　"Laddie，you'reagranddog。And，——ifyoudidn'twinthatcupfromLochaberKinginoneway，youcertainlywonitinanother！"
　　CHAPTERIV。Hero-StuffLifewasmonstrouspleasant，forLad，atthePlace。Andnever，exceptinearlypuppyhood，washelonely。NeveruntiltheMasterwassofoolishastodecideinhisownshallowhumanmindthatthebigcolliewouldbehappierwithanothercollieforcomradeandmate。
　　Afterthat，lonelinessmorethanoncecreptintoLaddie'sserenelife；andintothedarksorrowfuleyesbehindwhichlurkedasoul。For，untilonehasknownandreliedonthecompanionshipofone'skind，therecanbenoloneliness。
　　TheMastermadeanotherblunder——thisoneonhisownaccountandontheMistress's，——whenheboughtasecondcollie，toshareLad'srealmofforestandlawnandlake。For，itisalwaysamistaketoowntwodogsatatime。Asingledogisone'schumandguardandworshiper。Ifheberightlytreatedandtalkedtoandtaught，hebecomesall-buthuman。Becauseheisforcedtorelysolelyonhumans，foreverything。Andhismindandheartrespondtothis。Thereisnodividedallegiance。
　　Onedoginahomeisworthtentimesasmuchtohisowners，ineveryway，asaretwoormoredogs。EspeciallyiftheonedogbesuchacollieasSunnybankLad。ThistheMasterwasduetodiscover。
　　Onasloppyanddrippyandmuggyafternoon，lateinOctober，——oneofthosedaysnobodywants，——theMastercamehomefromtown；hisfallovercoatshowingadecidedlisttostarboardintheshapeofanegregiouslybulgedside-pocket。
　　TheMistressandLad，asever，cameforthtogreetthereturningman。Lad，withthegaylytrumpetingbarkwhichalwayshereservedfortheMistressortheMasterafteranabsenceofanylength，cavortedrapturouslyuptohisdeity。But，midwayinhiswelcomingadvance，hecheckedhimself；sniffingthesoddenOctoberair，andseekingtolocateanewandhighlyinterestingscentwhichhadjustassailedhissensitivenostrils。
　　TheMasterputanendtothemystery，forthwith，byreachingdeepintohisovercoat'sswollenpocketandfishingoutagrayishgoldenballofsquirmingfluff。
　　Thishandfuloflivelinesshesetgingerlyontheverandafloor；
　　whereitrevealeditselfasaneight-weeksoldcolliepup。
　　"Hernameis'Lady，'"expoundedtheMaster，asheandtheMistressgazedinterestedlydownuponthesprawlingandwigglingpuppy。"HerpedigreereadslikeapageinBurke'sPeerage。She——"
　　Hepaused。ForLadhadmovedforwardtowheretheinfantcolliewastryingvaliantlytowalkontheslipperyboards。Thebigdogregardedthepuppy；hisheadononeside，histulipearscocked；
　　hisdeep-seteyesfriendilycurious。ThiswasLad'sfirstexperiencewithoneoftheyoungofhisspecies。Andhewasabitpuzzled；albeitvastlyinterested。
　　Experimentally，helaidoneofhistinywhiteforepawslightlyonthemite'sfuzzyshoulder。Instantly，thepuppygrowledafalsettowarningtohimtokeephisdistance。Lad'splumedtailbegantowagatthissignofspiritinthepigmy。And，withhiscurvedpinkribbonoftongue，heessayedtolicktheshiveringLady。Asecondgrowlrewardedthisattention。AndLadysoughttoavoidfurthercontactwiththeshaggygiant，byscramblingattopspeedtotheedgeoftheveranda。
　　Shemiscalculatedthedistanceorelsehernearsightedbabyeyesfailedtotakeaccountofthefour-footdroptothegraveldrivebelow。Toolate，shetriedtocheckherawkwardrush。And，foramoment，herfatlittlebodyswayedperilouslyonthebrink。
　　TheMistressandtheMasterweretoofarawaytocatchherintimetopreventafallwhichmightwellhaveentailedabrokenriborawrenchedshoulder。ButLadwasnearer。Also，hemovedfaster。
　　Withthespeedoflightning，hemadeadiveforthetumblingLady。Astenderlyasifhewerepickingupaballofneedles，hecaughtherbythescruffoftheneck，liftingherintheairanddepositingherattheMistress'sfeet。
　　Thepuppyrepaidthislife-savingexploitbygrowlingstillmorewrathfullyandbysnappinginhelplessmenaceatthebigdog'snose。ButLadwasinnowiseoffended。DeaftothepraiseoftheMistress，——apraisewhichordinarilythrewhimintotransportsofembarrasseddelight，——hestoodovertherescuedpup；everyinchofhismagnificentbodyvibrantwithhomageandprotectiveness。
　　Fromthathour，LadwastheadoringslaveofLady。
　　Hewatchedoverher，inherincreasinglyactiveramblesaboutthePlace。Always，ontheadventofdoubtfulstrangers，heinterposedhisownfurrybulkbetweenherandpossiblekidnaping。Hestoodbesideherasshelappedherbread-and-milkorasshechewedlaboriouslyatherfragmentofdog-biscuit。
　　Atsuchtimes，heprovedhimselfthemortalfoeofPeterGrimm，theMistress'stemperamentalgraykitten，withwhomhewasordinarilyonverycomfortableterms。PeterGrimmwastheonecreatureonthePlacewhomLadyfeared。Onthedayafterherarrival，sheessayedtoworrythehaughtycatkin。And，asecondlater，thepuppywasnursingabraceofdeepredscratchesatthetipofherinquiringblacknostrils。
　　Thereafter，shegavePeterGrimmawideberth。AndthecatwaswonttotakeadvantageofthisdreadbymakingforaysonLady'ssupperdish。But，ever，Ladwouldswoopdownuponthemarauder，asLadycoweredwhimperinglybackonherhaunches；andwouldharrytheindignantcatupthenearesttree；herdingherthereuntilLadyhadlickedthedishclean。
　　Ladwentfurther，inhisfealtytothepuppy。Sacrificinghisownregaldignity，hewouldrompwithher，attimeswhenitwouldhavebeenfarmorecomfortabletodrowse。Hebore，withoutmurmur，hergrowlingassaultsonhisfood；amusedlystandingasidewhilesheannexedhissupper'schoicestbits。
　　Heendured，too，heroccasionalflurriesofhottemper；andmadenoprotestwhenLadychosetowreaksomegrievanceagainstlifebyflyingathimwithbristlingruffandjawsasnarl。Herkeenlittlemilkteethhurtlikethemischief，whentheydugintohisearsorhispaws，inoneoftheserage-gusts。Buthedidnotresentthepainortheindignitybysomuchasdrawingbackoutofharm'sway。And，afterward，whenquickrepentancereplacedangerandshestrovetomakefriendswithhimagain，Ladwasinordinatelyhappy。
　　ToboththeMistressandtheMaster，fromtheveryoutset，itwasplainthatLadywasnotinanywaysuchadogastheirbelovedLad。ShewasastemperamentalasPeterGrimmhimself。Shehadhair-triggernerves，aswirlinglyuncertaintemperthatwasscarceatonedforbyhercharmandlovableness；andshelackedLad'sstanchnessandelusivesemi-humanquality。Thetwowereasdifferentinnatureasitispossibleforacoupleofwell-brought-upthoroughbredcolliestobe。Andthehumans'
　　heartsdidnotgoouttoLadyastoLad。Still，shewasanidealpet，inmanyways。And，Lad'sutterdevotiontoherwasafullsetofcredentials，byitself。
　　Autumnfrozeintowinter。Thetreesturnedintonakedblackghosts；or，rather，intomany-stringedharpswhereonthenorthwestgalesalternatelyshriekedandroared。Thefire-bluelakewasasheetofleadenice，twentyinchesthick。Thefieldsshowedsereandgraylylifelessinthepatchesbetweensoddensnow-swathes。Naturehadflownsouth，withthebirds；leavingthenorthernworldalifelessandemptyhusk，asdesertedaslastsummer'srobin-nests。
　　Lady，inthesedrearmonthsofadeadworld。changedasrapidlyashadthesmilingPlace，Fromashapelessgray-goldfuzzybaby，shegrewlankandleggy。Theindeterminatefuzzwasburiedunderashimmeringgold-and-whitecoatofmuchbeauty。Themuskratfacelengthenedandgrewdelicatelygraceful，withitslongmuzzleandexquisiteprofile。
　　Ladywasemergingfromclownishpuppyhoodintothecharmofyouth。BythetimethefirstanemonescarriedGod'smessageofspringthroughtheforests'lingeringsnow-pall，shehadlostheradolescentgawkinessandwasaslenderlybeautifulyoungcollie；
　　smallandlightofbone，assheremainedtothedayofherdeath，butwithaslimnesswhichcarriedwithitahintoflithepowerandspeedandendurance。
　　ItwasintheearlyspringthattheMasterpromotedLadyfromherwintersleeping-quartersinthetool-house；andbegantoletherspendmoreandmoretimeindoors。
　　Ladyhadallthepromiseofbecomingaperfecthousedog。
　　Fastidious，quicktolearn，sheadaptedherselfalmostatoncetoindoorlife。AndLadwasoverjoyedatheradmissiontothedomainwhereuntilnowhehadruledalone。Personally，andwiththegravityofanold-worldhost，heconductedherfromroomtoroom。
　　Heevenofferedherasnoozing-placeinhischerished"cave，"
　　underthepiano，inthemusicroomthespotofallothersdearesttohim。
　　Butitwasdimandcheerless，underthepiano；orsoLadyseemedtothink。Andshewouldnotgothereforaninstant。Shepreferredthedisreputablegrizzly-bearruginfrontofthelivingroomhearth。And，temporarilydesertinghislovedcave，Ladusedtolieonthisrugatherside；wellcontentwhensheedgedhimoffitsdownycenterandontothebumpyedges。
　　Allwinter，Lady'ssleepingquartershadbeenthetool-houseinthebackgarden，behindthestables。Here，onasweet-smellingandflea-avertingbedofcedarshavings，shehadbeencomfortableandwhollysatisfied。But，atonce，onherpromotion，sheappearedtolookupontheonce-homeliketool-houseasanewlyrichdaylaborermightregardthetumbledownshackwherehehadspentthedaysofhispoverty。
　　Sheavoidedthetool-house；andevenmadewidedetourstoavoidpassingclosetoit。Thereisnomorethoroughgoingsnob，incertainways，thanahigh-breddog。And，toLady，thetool-houseevidentlyrepresentedahumiliatingphaseofheroutlivedpast。
　　Yet，shewasforedoomedtogobacktotheloathedabode。Andherreturnbefellinthisway:
　　IntheMaster'sstudywassomethingwhichLadyconsideredthemostenthrallinglywonderfulobjectonearth。ThiswasastuffedAmericaneagle；mounted，rampantandwithoutflungwings，onapapier-machestump。
　　WhytheeagleshouldhavefascinatedLadymorethandidtheleopard-or-bearrugsorotherchase-trophies，inthevariousdownstairsrooms，onlyLadyherselfcouldhavetold。Butshecouldnotkeephereyesoffofit。Tiptoeingtothestudydoor，sheusedtostandforhalfanhouratatimestaringatthegiantbird。
　　Once，inamomentofaudacity，shemadeaplayfullittlerushatit。BeforetheMastercouldintervene，Ladhaddashedbetweenherandthesacredtrophy；andhadshoulderedhergentlybutwithmuchfirmnessoutoftheroom；disregardingherlittleswirloftemperattheinterference。
　　TheMastercalledherbackintothestudy。Takingheruptotheeagle，hepointedatit，andsaid，withslowemphasis"Lady！LetitALONE！Let——it——ALONE！"
　　Sheunderstood。For，frombabyhood，shehadlearned，bydailypractice，tounderstandandinterpretthehumanvoice。Politely，shebackedawayfromthealluringbird。SnarlingslightlyatLad，asshepassedhiminthedoorway，shestalkedoutoftheroomandwentoutontheverandatosulk。
　　"I'mgladIhappenedtobeherewhenshewentfortheeagle，"
　　saidtheMaster，atlunchthatday。"IfIhadn't，shemighthavetackleditsometime，whennobodywasaround。Andagoodlivelycolliepupcouldputthatbitoftaxidermyoutofcommissioninlessthanfiveseconds。Sheknows，now，shemustn'ttouchit。"
　　Hespokesmugly；hisloreonthesubjectbeingboundedbyhisexperiencesinteachingLadthesimpleLawofthePlace。Ladwasoneoftheraredogstowhomasinglecommandorprohibitionwasenoughtofixalessoninhisuncannilywisebrainforlife。Ladywasnot。AstheMastersoonhadoccasiontolearn。
　　Lateoneafternoon，aweekafterward，theMistresshadsetforthonaroundofneighborhoodcalls。Shehadgoneinthecar；andhadtakenLadalong。TheMaster，beingbusyandabhorringcalls，hadstayedathome。Hewasatworkinhisstudy；andLadywasdrowsinginthecoollowerhall。
　　AfewminutesbeforetheMistresswasduetoreturnfordinner，awhiffofacridsmokewaswaftedtotheman'snostrils。
　　Now，toeverydwellerinthecountry，thereisoneall-presentperil；namely，fire。And，thefearofthisisalwayslurkingworriedlyinthebackofaruralhouseholder'sbrain。Avagrantbreathofsmoke，inthenight，ismorepotenttobanishsleepandtostartsuchamantoinvestigatinghishouseandgroundsthanwouldbeanyandeveryotheralarmknowntomortals。