Theyeventhreatenedtosendhimtonearerrelativesuntilhisparents'return。Allinvain。Facedwiththemostundeniableproofs，thechildinvariablywouldlie。Hedeniedthathehadeverill-usedLadinanyway；andwouldweep，inrighteousindignation，atthecharges。Whatwastobedone？
　　"Ithoughtitwouldbrightenupthehouseso，tohaveachildinitagain！"sighedtheMistressassheandherhusbanddiscussedthematter，uselessly，forthefiftiethtime，afteroneofthesescenes。"Ilookedforwardsomuchtohiscominghere！Buthe's——oh，heisn'tlikeanychildIeverheardofbefore！"
　　"IfIcoulddevotefivebusyminutesadaytohim，"gruntedtheMaster，"withanaxe-handleorperhapsabale-stick——"
　　"Youwouldn'tdoit！"deniedhiswife。"Youwouldn'tharmhim；
　　anymorethanLaddoes。That'sthetrouble。IfCyrilbelongedtous，wecouldpunishhim。Notwitha——abalestick，ofcourse。Butheneedsagoodwholesomespanking，morethananyoneelseIcanthinkof。Thatorsomeotherkindofpunishmentthatwouldmakeanimpressiononhim。Butwhatcanwedo？Heisn'tours——"
　　"ThankGod！"interpolatedtheMaster，piously。
　　"Andwecan'tpunishotherpeople'schild，"shefinished。"I
　　don'tknowwhatweCANdo。Iwouldn'tmindhalfsomuchabouttheothersneakythingshedoes；ifitwasn'tforthewayhetreatsLaddie。I——"
　　"SupposewesendLadtotheboardingkennels，atRidgewood，tillthebratisgone？"suggestedtheMaster。"Ihatetodoit。Andthegoodoldchapwillbebluewithhomesicknessthere。Butatleasthe'llgetkindtreatment。Whenhecomesovertomeandlooksupintomyeyesinthatterriblyappealingway，afterCyrilhasdonesomerottenthingtohim，——well，Ifeellikeacur，nottobeabletojustifyhisfaiththatIcanmakethingsallrightforhim。Yes，IthinkI'llsendhimtotheboardingkennels。And，ifitweren'tforleavingyoualonetofacethingshere，I'dbetemptedtohireastallatthekennelsformyself，tillthepestisgone。"
　　Thenextday，camearayoflightinthebotheredgloom。Andthequestionoftheboardingkennelswasdropped。TheMistressreceivedaletterfromCyril'smother。TheEuropeantriphadbeencutshort，forbusinessreasons；andthetwotravelersexpectedtolandinNewYorkonthefollowingFriday。
　　"WhodaressayFridayisanunluckyday？"chortledtheMasteringlee，ashiswifereachedthisstageoftheletter。
　　"And，"theMistressreadon，"wewillcomeouttothePlace，onthenoontrain；andtakedarlingCyrilawaywithus。Iwishwecouldstaylongerwithyou；butHenrymustbeinChicagoonSaturdaynight。Sowemustcatchalateafternoontrainbacktotown，andtakethenighttrainWest。Now，I——"
　　"Mostlettersareabore，"interpolatedtheMaster。"Orelsethey'reabother。Butthisoneisapurerapture。Readitmoreslowly，won't，you，dear？Iwanttowallowineveryblessedwordofhopeitcontains。Goahead。I'msorryIinterrupted。Readon。
　　You'llneverhavesuchanotherenthusiasticaudience。"
　　"Andnow，"theMistresscontinuedherreading，"IamgoingtoaskbothofyounottosayasinglewordtopreciousCyrilaboutourcominghomesosoon。Wewanttosurprisehim。Oh，tothinkwhathislovelyfacewillbelike，whenheseesuswalkingin！"
　　"AndtothinkwhatMYlovelyfacewillbelike，whenIseehimwalkingout！"exultedtheMaster。"Laddie，comeoverhere。We'vegotthegorgeousestnewsever！Comeoverandbeglad！"
　　Lad，atthesummons，cametrottingoutofhiscave，andacrosstheroom。Likeeverygooddogwhohasbeenmuchtalkedto，hewasasadeptasanydead-beatinreadingthevaryingshadesofthehumanvoice。Thevoicesandfacesalikeofhistwoadoreddeitiestoldhimsomethingwonderfulhadhappened。And，asever，herejoicedintheirgladness。Liftinghismagnificenthead，hebrokeintoasalvooftrumpetingbarks；theoddlytriumphantformofrackethereservedforgreatmoments。
　　"What'sLaddiedoing？"askedCyril，fromthethreshold。"Hesoundsasifhewasgoingmadorsomething。"
　　"He'shappy，"answeredtheMistress。
　　"Why'shehappy？"queriedthechild。
　　"BecausehisMasterandIarehappy，"patientlyreturnedtheMistress。
　　"WhyareYOUhappy？"insistedCyril。
　　"BecausetodayisThursday，"putintheMaster。"AndthatmeanstomorrowwillbeFriday。"
　　"AndonFriday，"addedtheMistress，"there'sgoingtobeabeautifulsurpriseforyou，Cyril。Wecan'ttellyouwhatitis，but——"
　　"Whycan'tyoutellme？"urgedthechild。"Aw，goaheadandtellme！Ithinkyoumight。"
　　TheMasterhadgoneovertothenearestwindow；andwasstaringoutintothegray-blackdusk。Mid-wintergrippedthedeadworld；
　　andthetwilightairwasdeathlychill。Thetallnakedtreetopsstoodgauntandwraithlikeagainstaleadensky。
　　Tothenorth，thedarknesswasdeepest。Evillittlepuffsofgalestirredthepowderysnowintomyriadsoftinydancingwhitedevils。Ithadbeenafearfulwinter，thusfar；colderthanforascoreofyears；socoldthatmanyawildwoodlandcreature，whichusuallykeptfarbackinthemountains，hadventureddownnearertocivilizationforforageandwarmth。
　　Deertracksa-plentyhadbeenseen，closeuptothegatesofthePlace。And，twodaysago，intheforest，halfamileaway，theMasterhadcomeuponthehalf-humanfootprintsofayoungbear。
　　Starvationstalkedabroad，yonderinthewhitehills。Andneedforprovenderhadbeguntowaxstrongeramongthefolkofthewildernessthantheirinborndreadofhumans。
　　"There'sabigsnowstormcomingup，"ruminatedtheMaster，ashescannedthegrimweather-signs。"Ablizzard，perhaps。I——Ihopeitwon'tdelayanyincomingsteamers。Ihopeatleastoneofthemwilldockonschedule。It——"
　　Heturnedbackfromhismusings，awareforthefirsttimethatarightsprightlydialoguewasgoingon。Cyrilwasdemandingfortheeighthtime:
　　"WHYwon'tyoutellme？Aw，Ithinkyoumight！What'sgoingtohappenthat'ssonice，Friday？"
　　"WaittillFridayandsee，"laughedtheMistress。
　　"Shucks！"hesnorted。"Youmighttellme，now。Idon'twanttowaitandgets'prised。Iwanttoknow，NOW。Tellme！"
　　Underhertolerantsmile，theyoungster'svoicescaledtoanimpatientwhine。Hewasbeginningtogrowred。
　　"Letitgoatthat！"ordainedtheMaster。"Don'tspoilyourownfun，bytryingtofindout，beforehand。Beagoodsportsman。"
　　"Fun！"snarledCyril。"What'sthefunofsecrets？Iwanttoknow——"
　　"It'ssnowing，"observedtheMistress，asahandfulofflakesbegantodriftpastthewindows，tossedalongonapuffofwind。
　　"IwanttoKNOW！"half-weptthechild；angryatthechangeofsubject，andnotingthattheMistresswasmovingtowardthenextroom，withLadatherheels。"Comebackandtellme！"
　　Hestampedafterhertobarherway。LadwasbetweentheirateCyrilandtheMistress。Inbabyishrageatthedog'splacidpresenceinhispath，hedrewbackoneungainlyfootandkickedtheastonishedcollieintheribs。
　　Attheoutrage，Ladspunabout，agrowlinhisthroat。Butheforboretobiteoreventoshowhisteeth。Thegrowlhadbeenofindignantprotestatsuchunheard-oftreatment；notamenace。
　　Thenthedogstalkedhaughtilytohiscave，andlaydownthere。
　　Butthehumanwitnessestothescenewerelessforbearing；——beingonlyhumans。TheMistresscriedout，insharpprotestatthelittlebrute'saction。AndtheMasterleanedforward，swingingCyrilclearoftheground。Holdingthechildfirmly，butwithnoroughness，theMastersteadiedhisownvoiceasbesthecould；
　　andsaid:——
　　"Thistimeyou'venotevenbotheredtowaittillourbackswereturned。Sodon'twastebreathbycryingandsayingyoudidn'tdoit。You'renotmychild；soIhavenorighttopunishyou。AndI'mnotgoingto。ButIwantyoutoknowyou'vejustkickedsomethingthat'sworthfiftyofyou。"
　　"Youletmedown！"Cyrilsnarled。
　　"Ladistoowhiteandcleanandsquaretohurtanythingthatcan'thitback，"continuedtheMaster。"Andyouarenot。That'sthedifferencebetweenyou。Oneoftheseveralmilliondifferences，——alloftheminLad'sfavor。Whenachildbeginslifebybeingcrueltodumbanimals，it'saprettybadsignforthewayhe'sduetotreathisfellow-humansinlateryears，——ifeveranyofthemareathismercy。Foryourownsake，learntobehaveatleastasdecentlyasadog。If——"
　　"Youletmedown，youbigbully！"squalledCyril，bellowingwithimpotentfury。"Youletmedown！I——"
　　"Certainly，"assentedtheMaster，loweringhimtothefloor。"I
　　didn'thurtyou。Ionlyheldyousoyoucouldn'trunoutoftheroom，beforeI'dfinishedspeaking；asyoudid，thetimeIcaughtyouputtingredpepperonLad'sfood。He——"
　　"Youwouldn'tdaretouchme，ifmyfolkswerehere，youbigbully！"screechedthechild，inaveritablemaniaofrage；
　　jumpingupanddownandactuallyfoamingatthemouth。"ButI'lltell'emonyou！SeeifIdon't！I'lltell'emhowyouslungmearoundandsaidIwasworsenadirtydoglikeLad。AndDaddy'lllickyouforit。Seeifhedon't！He——"
　　TheMastercouldnotchokebackalaugh；thoughthepoorMistresslookedhorriblydistressedatthemaniacoutburst，andstrovesoothinglytocheckit。She，liketheMaster，rememberednowthatCyril'sdotingmotherhadspokenofthechild'soccasionalfitsofredwrath。Butthiswasthefirstglimpseeitherofthemhadhadofthese。Hitherto，crafthadservedCyril'sturnbetterthanfury。
　　AtsoundoftheMaster'sunintentionallaughtheunfortunatechildwentquitebesidehimselfinhistransportofrage。
　　"Iwon'tstayinyournastyoldhouse！"heshrieked。"I'mgoingtotheveryfirsthouseIcanfind。AndI'mgoingtotell'emhowyouhammeredalittlefellerthathasn'tanyfolksheretostickupforhim。AndI'llget'emtotakemeinandsendatel'gramtoDaddyandMothertocomesaveme。I——"
　　Totheastonishmentofbothhishearers，Cyrilbrokeoffchokinglyinhisyelledtirade；caughtupabibelotfromthetable，hurleditwithallhispunyforceatLad，theinnocentcauseofthefracas；andthenrushedfromtheroomandfromthehouse。
　　TheMistressstaredafterhim，dumfounded；hishowlsandthejarringslamofthehousedoorechoingdirefullyinherears。ItwastheMasterwhoendedtheinstant'shushofamaze。
　　"WheneverI'veheardagrownmansayhewishedhewasaboyagain，"hemused，"Ialwayssethimdownforaliar。But，foronceinmylife，IhonestlywishIwasaboy，oncemore。AboyonedayyoungerandoneinchshorterandonepoundlighterthanCyril。I'dfollowhimoutofdoors，yonder，andgivehimthethrashingofhissweetyounglife。I'd——"
　　"Oh，docallhimback！"beggedtheMistress。"He'llcatchhisdeathofcold，and——"
　　"Whywillhe？"challengedtheMaster，withoutstirring。"Forallhisnoblerage，Inoticedhetookthoughttograbuphiscapandhisovercoatfromthehall，ashewaftedhimselfaway。Andhestillhadhisarcticson，fromthisafternoon。Hewon't——"
　　"Butsupposeheshouldreallygoovertooneoftheneighbors，"
　　urgedtheMistress，"andtellsuchanawfulstoryashethreatenedto？Orsuppose——"
　　"Notachance！"theMasterreassuredher。"Nowthatthesummerpeopleareaway，thereisn'tanoccupiedhousewithinhalfamileofhere。Andhe'snotgoingtotrudgeahalf-milethroughthesnow，inthisbittercold，forthejoyoftellinglies。No，he'sdownatthestablesorelsehe'ssneakedinthroughthekitchen；
　　thewayhedidthatothertimewhenhemadeagrandstandexitafterI'dventuredtolecturehimonhisgeneralrottenness。
　　Rememberhowworriedabouthimyouwere，thattime；tillwefoundhimsittinginthekitchenandpesteringthemaids？He——"
　　"Butthattime，hewasonlysulky，"saidtheMistress。"Notinsanelyangry，asheisnow。Idohope——"
　　"Stopworrying！"adjuredtheMaster。"He'sallright。"
　　Whichproved，forperhapsthetrillionthtimeinhistory，thatawoman'sintuitionsarebetterworthfollowingthanaman'ssanerlogic。ForCyrilwasnotallright。And，ateverypassingminutehewaslessandlessallright；untilpresentlyhewasallwrong。
　　Forthebestpartofanhour，inpursuanceofherhusband'scounsel，theMistresssatandwaitedfortheprodigal'sreturn。
　　Then，surreptitiously，shemadearoundofthehouse；sentamantoransackthestables，telephonedtothegatelodge，andfinallycameintotheMaster'sstudy，big-eyedandpale。
　　"Heisn'tanywherearound，"shereported，frightened。"It'sdinnertime。He'sbeengoneinhour。Nobody'sseenhim。Heisn'tonthePlace。Oh，Iwonderif——"
　　"H'm！"grumbledherhusband。"He'sengineeringanendurancecontest，eh？Well，ifhecanstandit，wecan。"
　　Butatsightofthedeepeningtroubleinhiswife'sface，hegotupfromhisdesk。Goingoutintothehall，hesummonedLad。
　　"Wemightshoutourheadsoff，"hesaid，"andhe'dneveranswer；
　　ifhe'sreallytryingtoscareus。That'spartofhislovablenature。There'sjustonewaytotrackhim，indoubletime。LAD！"
　　TheMasterhadbeendrawingonhismackinawandhipbootsashespoke。Nowheopenedthefrontdoor。
　　"Laddie！"hesaid，veryslowlyandincisivelytotheexpectantlyeagercollie。"Cyril！FindCYRIL！FINDhim！"
　　Tothesuper-wisecollie，therewasnothingconfusinginthecommand。Likemanyanothergooddog，heknewthehumansofthehouseholdbytheirnames；aswellasdidanyfellow-human。Andheknewfromlongexperiencethemeaningoftheword，"Find！"
　　Countlesstimesthatwordhadbeenusedingamesandinearnest。
　　Itssignificance，now，wasperfectlyplaintohim。TheMasterwantedhimtohuntfortheobnoxiouschildwhosolovedtoannoyandhurthim。
　　Ladwouldratherhavefoundanyoneelse，attheMaster'sbehest。
　　Butitdidnotoccurtothetrainedcollietodisobey。Withavisiblediminishingofhisfirsteagerexcitement，butwithsubmissivehaste，thebigdogsteppedoutontotheverandaandbegantocastaboutinthedriftsattheporchedge。
　　Immediately，hestruckCyril'sshufflingtrail。And，immediately，hetrottedoffalongthecourse。
　　Thetaskwaslesssimplethanordinarily。For，thesnowwascomingdowninhard-drivensheets；blottingoutscentalmostaseffectivelyassight。ButnotfornaughthadathousandgenerationsofLad'sthoroughbredancestorstracedlostsheepthroughsnowstormsontheScottishmoors。Totheirgranddescendanttheyhadtransmittedtheirweirdtrailingpower，tothefull。AndthescentofCyril，thoughfaintandfainter，andsmotheredunderswirlingsnow，wasnottoodimforLad'ssensitivenostrilstocatchandholdit。
　　TheMasterlumberedalong，throughtherisingdrifts，asfastashecould。Butthewaywasroughandthenightwasasblackdarkasitwascold。Inafewrods，thedoghadfaroutdistancedhim。
　　And，knowinghowhardmustbethetrailtofollowbysenseofsmell，heforboretocallbackthequestingcollie，lestLadlosetheclewaltogether。Heknewthedogwascertaintobarkthetidingswhenheshouldcomeupwiththefugitive。
　　TheMasterbythistimebegantosharehiswife'sworry。ForthetrailLadwasfollowingledoutofthegroundsandacrossthehighway，towardtheforest。
　　Thenewbornsnowstormwasdevelopingintoaverypromisinglittleblizzard。Andtheicylashofthewindprovedthefallacyoftheoldtheory，"toocoldtosnow。"Evenbydaylightitwouldhavebeennolighttasktosteeratruecoursethroughthewhirlingandblindingstorm。Inthedarkness，themanfoundhimselfstumblingalongwithdrunkenlyzigzagsteps；hisbuffetedearsstrained，throughthenoiseofthewindforsoundofLad'sbark。
　　Butnosuchsoundcametohim。And，herealizedthatsnowandadversewindscansometimesmuffleeventhepenetratingbarkofacollie。Themangrewfrightened。Halting，heshoutedwithallthepowerofhislungs。NowhimperfromCyrilansweredthehail。Nor，athismaster'ssummons，didLadcomeboundingbackthroughthedrifts。Againandagain，theMastercalled。
　　Forthefirsttimeinhisobedientlife，Laddidnotrespondtothecall。AndtheMasterknewhisownvoicecouldnotcarry，forasinglefurlong，againstwindandsnowfall。
　　"I'llgoonforanotherhalf-hour，"hetoldhimself，ashesoughttodiscernthedog'sall-butobliteratedfootstepsthroughthedeepeningsnow。"AndthenI'llgobackandraiseasearchparty。"
　　Hecametoabewilderedstop。FainterandmoreindistinguishablehadLad'sflounderingtracksbecome。Now，——bydintofdistanceandsnow，——theyceasedtobevisibleinthewelterofdriftedwhitenessundertheglareoftheMaster'sflashlight。
　　"Thismeansasearch-party，"decidedtheman。
　　Andheturnedhomeward，totelephoneforaposseofneighbors。
　　Lad，beingonlyadog，hadnosuchwayofsharinghisburden。Hehadbeentoldtofindthechild。Andhissimplecodeoflifeandofactionlefthimnooutletfromdoinghisduty；bethatdutyirksomeoreasy。Sohekepton。FaraheadoftheMaster，hiskeenearshadnotcaughtthesoundoftheshouts。Thegaleandthesnowmuffledthemanddrovethembackintotheshouter'sthroat。
　　Cyril，naturally，hadnothadtheremotestintentoflaboringthroughthebittercoldandthesnowtothehouseofanyneighbor；theretotellhiswoefultaleofoppression。Thesemblanceofmartyrdom，withoutitsbothersomeactuality，wasquiteenoughforhispurpose。Oncebefore，athome，whenhisfatherhadadministeredamildandmuch-neededspanking，Cyrilhadmadealikethreat；andhadthengonetohideinachum'shome，forhalfaday；returningtofindhisparentsinagoniesofremorseandfear，andreadytoloadhimwithpeace-offerings。Thechildsawnoreasonwhythesametacticsshouldnotserveeverybitastriumphantly，inthepresentcase。
　　Heknewthemaidswereinthekitchenandatleastonemanwasinthestables。Hedidnotwanthiswhereaboutstobediscoveredbeforeheshouldhavebeenabletoraiseahealthyanddividend-bringingcropofremorseintheheartsoftheMistressandtheMaster，soheresolvedtogofartherafield。
　　Inthebackofthemeadow，acrosstheroad，andonthehithersideoftheforest，wasadisusedcattle-barrack，withtwostallsunderitsroof-pileofhay。ThebarrackwasoneofCyril'sfavoriteplayhouses。Itwasdryandtight。Throughhisthickclothinghewasnotlikelytobeverycold，there，foranhourortwo。HecouldsnuggledowninthewarmhayandplayIndians，withconsiderablecomfort；untilsuchtimeasthefrightandpenitenceofhishostsshouldhavecometoaclimaxandmakehisreturnanovation。
　　Meanwhile，itwouldbefuntopicturetheiruneasinessandfearforhissafety；andtovisualizetheirjourneyingsthroughthesnowtothehousesofvariousneighbors，insearchofthelostchild。
　　Buoyedupbysuchhappythoughtsasthese，Cyrilstruckoutatalivelypaceforthehighroadandintothefieldbeyond。Thebarrack，heknew，laydiagonallyacrossthewidemeadow，andneartheadjoiningwoods。Fiveminutesoftrampingthroughthesnowoughttobringhimtoit。Andhesetoff，diagonally。
　　But，beforehehadgoneahundredyards，helosthisfirstzestintheadventure。Thedarknesshadthickened；andthevagrantwind-gustshadtightenedintoasteadygale；agalewhichcarriedbeforeitablindingwrackofstinginglyhard-drivensnow。
　　Thegrayofthedyingduskwasblottedout。Thewindsmoteandbatteredthespindlingchild。Mechanically，hekeptonforfiveorsixminutes，makingscantandirregularprogress。Then，hisspiritwavered。Splendidasitwouldbetoscarethesehatefulpeople，therewasnothingsplendidintheweatherthatnumbedhimwithcoldandtookawayhisbreathandhalf-blindedhimwithsnow。
　　Whatwasthefunofmakingotherssuffer；ifhehimselfweresufferingtenfoldmore？And，onreachingthebarrack，hewouldhaveallthatfreezingandblast-hammeringtripbackagain。Aw，whatwastheuse？
　　AndCyrilcametoahalt。Hehaddefinitelyabandonedhishighenterprise。Turningaround，hebegantoretracehisstumblingsteps。But，atbest，inalargefield，inablizzardandinpitchdarkness，andwithnovisiblelandmarks，itisnoteasytodoublebackonone'sroute，withanydegreeofaccuracy。InCyril'scase，thethingwaswhollyimpossible。
　　Blindly，hehadbeentravelinginanerratichalf-circle。Anotherminuteofwalkingwouldhavebroughthimtothehighroad，notfarfromthePlace'sgateway。And，ashechangedhiscourse，toseektheroad，hemovedatanobtuseangletohisformerlineofmarch。
　　Thus，anotherperiodofexhaustingprogressbroughthimupwithabumpagainstasolidbarrier。Hischilledfacecameintoroughcontactwiththetoprailofalinefence。
　　Sorelievedwasthestartledchildbythisencounterthatheforgottowhineattheabrasionwroughtuponhischeekbytherail。Hehadbeguntofeelthefirstgnawingsofpanic。Now，atonce，hewascalmagain。Forheknewwherehewas。ThiswasthelinefencebetweenthePlace'suppersectionandthelandofthenextneighbor。
　　Allheneeddowastowalkalongintheshelterofit，touchingtherailsnowandthentomakecertainofnotstraying，untilheshouldcomeoutontheroad，atthegatelodge。Itwasabsurdlyeasy；comparedtowhathehadbeenundergoing。Besides，theleeofthefenceaffordedacertainshelterfromwindandsnow。Thechildrealizedhehadbeenturnedaboutinthedark；andhadbeengoinginthewrongdirection。Butnow，atlast，hiscourseseemedplaintohim。
　　Sohesetoffbriskly，closetothefence；——anddirectlyawayfromthenearbyroad。
　　Foranotherhalf-hourhecontinuedhisinexplicablylongtramp；
　　alwaysbuoyedupbythehopeofcomingtotheroadinafewmoresteps；anddoggedlysureofhisbearings。Then，turningoutfromthefence，inordertoskirtawidehazelthicket，hetrippedoveranoutcropofrock，andtumbledintoadrift。Gettingtohisfeet，hesoughttoregainthefence；butthefallhadshakenhissensesandheflounderedoffintheoppositedirection。Afterarodortwoofsuchfutileplunging，astumblingsteptookhimcleanofftheedgeoftheworld，andintotheair。
　　Allthis，forthemerestinstant。Then，helandedwithajounceinaheapofbrushanddeadleaves。Squattingthere，breathless，hestretchedouthismittenedhand，alongtheground。Attheendoflessthananotheryardofthisexploring，hisfingerscameagaintotheedgeoftheworldandwerethrustoutovernothingness。
　　Withhideoussuddenness，Cyrilunderstoodwherehewas；andwhathadhappenedtohimandwhy。Heknewhehadfollowedthefenceforafullmile，AWAYfromtheroad；throughthenearerwoods，andgraduallyupwarduntilhehadcomethelineofhazelsonthelipoftheninety-footravinewhichdippeddownintoaswamp-stretchknownas"PancakeHollow。"
　　Thatwaswhathehaddone。Intryingtoskirtthehazels，hehadsteppedoverthecliff-edge，andhaddroppedfivefeetormoretoarathernarrowledgethatjutsoutovertheravine。
　　Welldidherememberthisledge。Morethanonce，onwalkswiththeMistressandtheMaster，hehadpausedtolookdownonitandtothinkfunitwouldbetoimprisonsomeonethereandtostandabove，guyingthevictim。Ithadbeenasweetthought。Andnow，he，himself，wasimprisonedthere。
　　Butforluck，hemighthavefallenthewholeninetyfeet；fortheledgedidnotextendfaralongthefaceofthecliff。Atalmostanyotherspothistumblemighthavemeant——
　　Cyrilshudderedalittle；andpursuedthegrislythemenofurther。Hewassafeenough，tillhelpshouldcome。And，here，theblastofthewinddidnotreachhim。Also，bycuddlinglowinthelitterofleavesandfallenbrush，hecouldwardoffalittleoftheicycold。
　　Hecrouchedthere；shakingandwornout。Hewasonlyeleven。Hisfragilebodyhadundergoneafearfulhouroftoilandhardship。
　　Ashewasdrawinginhisbreathforacrytoanychancesearchers，theboywasawareofaswiftpattering，abovehishead。Helookedup。Theskywasshadeortwolessdenselyblackthantheravineedge。AsCyrilgazedinterror，ashaggydarkshapeoutlineditselfagainstthesky-line，justabovehim。
　　Havingfollowedtheeccentricfootstepsofthewanderer，withgreatandgreaterdifficulty，tothefence-leewherethetracingwasmucheasier，Ladcametothelipoftheravineabarefiveminutesafterthechild'sdroptotheledge。
　　There，foraninstant，thegreatdogstood；earscocked，headinquiringlyononeside；lookingdownupontheledge。Cyrilshranktoaquiveringlittleheapofabjectterror，atsightoftheindistinctanimalshapeloomingmountain-highaboveThisforthebriefestmoment。ThenbackwentLad'sheadinapealingbarkthatseemedtofilltheworldandtoreechofromamyriaddirectionsatonce。Againandagain，Ladgaveclamorousvoicetohisdiscoveryofthelostchild。
　　Onaclearorwindlessnight，hisracketmusthavepenetratedtothedullestearsatthePlace，andfarbeyond。Forthebarkofadoghasmorecarryingpowerthanhasanyothersoundofdoubleitsvolume。But，inthefaceofasixty-milegaleladenwithtonsofflyingsnow，thereportofacannoncouldscarcehavecarriedoverthestretchofwindsweptgroundbetweentheravineandthePlace。
　　Ladseemedtounderstandthis。For，afteradozenthunderousbarks，hefellsilent；andstoodagain，headononeside，inthought。
　　Atfirstsoundofthebarking，Cyrilhadrecognizedthedog。Andhisterrorhadvanished。Initsplacesurgedapeevishirritationagainstthebeastthathadsofrightenedhim。Hegropedforarock-fragmenttohurlupattheracketycollie。
　　Then，thechildpausedinhisfumbling。Thedoghadscantreasontolovehimortoseekhissociety。Oflate，Ladhadkeptoutofhiswayasmuchaspossible。Thusitwasnotlikelythecolliehadcomehereofhisownaccord，onsuchanight；forthemerejoyofbeingwithhistormentor。
　　HispresencemustmeanthattheMasterwasclosebehind；andthatthewholePlacewasinafermentofanxietyaboutthewanderer。
　　BystoningLadawayandcheckingthebarks，Cyrilmightwellpreventthesearchersfromfindinghim。Tooweakandtoonumbwithcoldtoclimbupthefive-footcliff-facetothelevelgroundabove，hedidnotwanttomissanychanceforrescue。
　　Hence，asLadceasedtobark，thechildsetupayell，withallhisslightlung-power，toattracttheseekers'notice。HeorderedLadto"Speak！"andshookhisfistangrilyatthedog，whennoansweringbarkfollowed。
　　Despairingofmakinganyonehearhistrumpetingannouncementthathehadfoundthechild，Ladpresentlymadeuphismindastotheonlycoursethatremained。Wheelingabout，headdown，hefacedthestormagain；andsetoffatwhatspeedhecouldcompass，towardhome，toleadtheMastertothespotwhereCyrilwastrapped。Thisseemedtheonlyexpedientleft。Itwaswhathehaddone，longago，whenLadyhadcaughtherfootinafox-trap，backinthewoods。
　　Asthedogvanishedfromagainstthegray-blacksky-line，Cyrilsetupahowlofwrathfulcommandtohimtocomeback。Anythingwasbetterthantobeinthisdrearyspotalone。Besides，withLadgone，howcouldLad'sMasterfindthewaytotheledge？
　　Twicethechildcalledaftertheretreatingcollie。And，inanotherfewsteps，Ladhadhaltedandbeguntoretracehiswaytowardtheledge。
　　HedidnotreturnbecauseofCyril'scall。Hehadlearned，byuglyexperience，todisregardthechild'sorders。Theywerewonttomeanmuchunpleasantnessforhim。Nevertheless，Ladhalted。
　　Notinobediencetothesummons；butbecauseofasoundandascentthatsmotehimashestartedtogallopaway。Aneddyofthewindhadbornebothtothedog'sacutesenses。
　　Stiffening，hiscurvedeyeteethbaringthemselves，hishacklesbristling，Ladgallopedbacktotheravine-lip；andstoodtheresniffingtheicyairandgrowlingdeepinhisthroat。LookingdowntotheledgehesawCyrilwasnolongeritssoleoccupant。
　　Crouchedattheopeningofacrevice，nottenfeetfromtheunseeingchild，wassomethingbulkyandsinister；——ameremenacingbluragainstthedarkerrock。
　　Crawlinghometoitslair，supper-lessandfranticwithhunger，afteradayoffruitlesshuntingthroughthedeadforestworld，agiantwildcathadbeenstirredfromitsfirstfitfulslumberintheledge'screvicebytheimpactofthechildupontheheapofleaves。Thehumanscenthadstartledthecreatureandithadslunkfartherbackintothecrevice。Themoresowhenthebarkandinimicalodorofabigdogwereaddedtotheshatteringoftheravine'ssolitude。
　　Thenthedoghadgoneaway。Curiosity，——thebesettingtraitofthecattribe，——hadmasteredthecrevice'sdweller。Thewildcathadwrigglednoiselesslyforwardalittleway，tolearnwhatmannerofenemyhadinvadeditslair。And，peeringout，ithadbeheldaspindlingchild；ahumanatom，withoutstrengthorweapon。
　　Fearchangedtofuryinthebob-cat'sfelineheart。Herewasnoopponent；butamereitemofprey。And，withfury，stirredlong-unsatisfiedhunger；thefaminehungerofmid-winterwhichmakesthefolkofthewildernessriskcaptureordeathbyraidingguardedhencoops。
　　Outfromthecrevicestolethewildcat。Itsearswereflattenedclosetoitsevilhead。Itsyelloweyesweremereslitsoffire。
　　Itsclawsunsheathedthemselvesfromthefurrypads，——long，hookedclaws，capableofdisembowelingagrowndeeratonesabre-strokeofthemuscularhindlegs。Intotherubbleandlitteroftheledgetheclawssank，andreceded，inrhythmicmotion。
　　Thecompactyellowbodytightenedintoaball。Thebackquivered。
　　Thefeetbracedthemselves。Thecatwasgaugingitsdistanceandmakingreadyforamurder-spring。Cyril，hisheadturnedtheotherway，wasstillpeeringupalongthecliff-edgeforsightofLad。
　　ThiswaswhatLad'sscentandhearing，——andperhapssomethingelse，——hadwarnedhimof，inthatinstantofthewind'seddyingshift。Andthiswasthescenehelookeddownupon，now，fromtheravine-lip，fivefeetabove。
　　Thecolliebrain，——thoughneverthecollieheart，——iswonttoflashback，inmomentsofmortalstress，totheancestralwolf。
　　NeverinhisownlifehadSunnybankLadseteyesonawildcat。
　　But，intheprimalforests，wolfandbob-cathadperforcemetandclashed，athousandtimes。Theretheyhadbegunandhadwagedtheeternalcat-and-dogfeud，oftheages。
　　AncestrynowtoldLadthatthereisperhapsnomoremurderouslydangerousfoethananangrywildcat。Ancestryalsotoldhimawolf'sonechanceofcertainvictoryinsuchacontest。
　　Ancestry'saidwasnotrequired，totellhimthemortalperilawaitingthishumanchildwhohadsogrievouslyandcauselesslytormentedhim。Butthegreatloyalheart，inthisstarkmoment，tooknothoughtofpersonalgrudges。Therewasbutonethingtodo，——oneperilous，desperatechancetotake；ifthechildweretobesaved。
　　Thewildcatsprang。
　　SuchaleapcouldreadilyhavecarrieditacrossdoublethespacewhichlaybetweenitandCyril。Butnotone-thirdofthatspacewascoveredinthelightningpounce。
　　Fromtheupperair，——apparentlyfromnowhere，——ahugeshaggybodylauncheditselfstraightdownward。Asunerringlyastheswoopofaneagle，thedown-whizzingbulkflew。Itsmotetheleapingwildcat，inmid-flight。
　　Asetofmightyjaws，——jawsthatcouldcrackabeef-boneasamancracksafilbert，——clovedeepandunerringlyintothecat'sback，justbehindtheshoulders。Andthosejawsflungalltheirstrengthintotheraveninggrip。
　　Asquall，——hideousinitsunearthlyclangor，——splitthenightsilences。Themaddenedcatwhirledabout，spittingandyowling；
　　andsetitsfoamingteethinthedog'sfur-armoredshoulder。Butbeforetheterriblecurvedclawscouldbecalledintoaction，Lad'srendingjawshaddonetheirworkuponthespine。
　　Tothevergeofthenarrowledgethetwocombatantshadrolledintheirunlovingembrace。Itslastlurchofagonycarpedthestrickenwildcatovertheedgeandouttheninety-footdropintotheravine。Ladwasall-butcarriedalongwithhisadversary。Heclawedwildlywithhistoesforapurchaseonthesmoothcliffwall；overwhichhishindquartershadslipped。Forasecondhehung，swaying，abovetheabyss。
　　Cyril，scaredintosemi-insanitybysightofthesuddenbriefbattle，hadcaughtupastickfromtherubbishathisfeet。Withthis，notatallknowingwhathedid，hesmotethestrugglingLadwitheveryatomofhisfeebleforce，overthehead。
　　Luckilyforthegallantdog，thestickwasrotten。Itbroke，intheblow；butnotbeforeitsimpacthadwell-nighdestroyedLad'sprecariousbalance。
　　Oneclawinghindfootfoundtoe-roominaflawofrock。A
　　tremendousheaveofallhisstrainedmuscles；andLadwasscramblingtosafetyontheledge。
　　Cyril'slastatomofvigorandresistancehadgoneintothatpanicblowatthedog。Now，thechildhadflunghimselfhelplesslydown，againstthewalloftheledge；andwasweepingindelirioushysterics。Ladmovedovertohim；hesitatedamoment，lookingwistfullyupwardatthesolidgroundabove。Then，heseemedtodecidewhichwayhisdutypointed。Lyingdownbesidethefreezingchild，hepressedhisgreatshaggybodyclosetoCyril's；protectinghimfromtheswirlingsnowandfromtheworstofthecold。
　　Thedog'sdark，deep-seteyesrovedwatchfullytowardthecrevice，alertforsignofanyothermarauderthatmightissueforth。Hisownshaggyshoulderwashurtinghim，annoyingly，fromthewildcat'sbite。Buttothishegavenoheed。Closeryet，hepressedhiswarm，furrybodytotheice-coldyoungster；fendingofftheelementsasvalorouslyashehadfendedoffthewildcat。
　　ThewarmthofthegreatbodybegantopenetrateCyril'snumbedsenses。Thechildsnuggledtothedog，gratefully。Lad'spinktonguelickedcaressinglyatthewhiteface；andthecolliewhimperedcrooningsympathytothelittlesufferer。
　　So，foratimethedogandthechildlaythere；Cyril'snumbbodywarmingunderthecontact。
　　Then，ataswiftintakeofthewindyair，Lad'swhimperchangedtoathunderofwildbarking。Hisnostrilshadtoldhimofthesearchparty'sapproach，afewhundredyardstothewindward。
　　Theirdispiritinglyaimlesshuntchangingintoascramblingrushinthedirectionwhencecamethefaint-heardbarks，thesearcherstroopedtowardtheledge。
　　"Hereweare！"shrilledthechild，astheMaster'shalloosoundeddirectlyabove。"Hereweare！Downhere！A——aliontackledus，awhileback。Butwelickedhim；——IandLaddie！"
　　CHAPTERVII。TheJuggernautLongshadowswerestretchinglazilyathwartthelawnfromthegnarledoldgianttrees。Overthewholedrowsingworldbroodedthesolemnhushoflatesummerafternoon。
　　Anamberlighthunginthesleepyair；touchingwithgoldthefire-bluelake，thecircleoflovinglyprotectinggreenhills；
　　theemeraldslopewhichbillowedupfromthewater-edgetothered-roofedgrayhouseinitssettingofancientoaks。
　　Onthebareflooring，inthecoolestcorneroftheveranda，twocollieslaysprawled。Theywerefastasleep；whichmeansthattheywerereadytocomebacktocompletewakefulnessatthefirstuntowardsound。
　　Ofthetwoslumbrouscollies，onewasslenderlygracefulofoutline；gold-and-whiteofhue。ShewasLady；imperiousandtemperamentalwispofthoroughbredcaninity。
　　Theseconddoghadbeencrowdedoutoftheshadiestspotoftheveranda，byhismate；sothatapartofhisburnishedmahoganycoatwasunderthedirectglareoftheafternoonsun。Shimmeringorangetintsblazedbackthereflectionofthetorridlight。
　　HewasSunnybankLad；eighty-poundcollie；tawnyandpowerful；
　　withabsurdlytinywhiteforepawsandwithaSoullookingoutfromhisdeep-setdarkeyes。Chumandhousematehewastohistwohumangods；——adog，aloneofallworshipers，havingtheprivilegeoflookingonthefaceofhisgodsandofcommuningwiththemwithoutthemediumofpriestorofprayer。
　　Lady，only，ofthePlace'sbevyofLittlePeople，refusedfromearliestpuppyhoodtoacknowledgeLad'sbenevolentrulership。Shebossedandteasedandpesteredhim，unmercifully。AndLadnotonlyletherdoallthis，butheactuallyreveledinit。Shewashismate。More，——shewashisidol。Thisidolizingofonemate，bytheway，isfarlessuncommonamongdogsthanwemerehumansrealize。
　　Thesummerafternoonhushwassplitbythewhirringchugofamotor-car；thatturnedinfromthehighroad，twohundredyardsbeyondthehouse，andstarteddownthroughtheoakgrove，alongthewindingdriveway。Immediately，Ladywasnotonlyawake，butonherfeet，andinmotion。Afurrygold-whitewhirlwind，sheflashedoffofthevine-shadedverandaandtoreattopspeedupthehilltomeetthecomingcar。
　　No，itwasnottheMistressandtheMasterwhoseapproachstirredthefierylittlecollietolightningactivity。LadknewthepurrofthePlace'scarandhecoulddistinguishitfromanyother，asfarashissensitiveearscouldcatchitssound。ButtoLady，allcarswerealike；andallweresignalsforwildexcitement。
　　Liketoomanyothercollies，shehadamaniaforrushingatanymotorvehicle，andforwhizzingalongbesideit，perilouslyclosetoitsfast-movingwheels，barkingandscreaminghystericallyandboundingupwardatitspolishedsides。
　　Norhadpunishmentandscoldingcuredherofthetrait。Shewasanaddictatcar-chasing。Shewaswhollyincurable。Therearesuchdogs。Soonorlate，manyofthempayhighforthehabit。
　　Inearlydays，Ladalsohaddashedaftermotors。ButasinglesharplecturefromtheMasterhadtaughthimthatthiswasoneofthedirestbreachesofthePlace'ssimpleLaw。And，thenceforth，——thoughhemighttremblewitheagerness，——hestoodstatue-stillwhenanautomobilespuntemptinglypasthim。
　　More，——hehadcuredpupafterpup，atthePlace，ofcar-chasing。
　　ButLadyhecouldnotcure；thoughhenevergaveuptheuselessattempt。
　　Downthedrivecameadeliverytruck；drivenfastandwithnonetoogreatskill。Beforeithadcoveredhalfthedistancebetweengateandhouse，Ladywasalongside。Awheelgrazedhershoulderfuras，deftly，sheslippedfrominfrontofthevehicleandsprangupatitstonneau。Withaceaselessfanfareofbarks，——deliriousinherexcitement，——shecircledthecar；springing，dodging，wheeling。
　　Thedeliveryboycheckedspeedandshoutedfutilewarningstotheinsanecollie。Ashesloweddownabitonthesteepgrade，Ladyhurledherselfinfrontofthemachine，asthoughtauntingitforcowardiceinabatingitshotpaceonheraccount。
　　Againandagainhadsherun，headon，atadvancingcars。Itseemedtodelightherwhensuchcarsslackenedspeedorswerved，inordernottokillher。
　　Now，asshewhizzedbackward，hervibrantmuzzleabaresixinchesfromtheshinybuffer，oneofherflyingfeetslippedinamudrut。Herbalancegone，shetumbled。
　　Acolliedownisacollieup，inlessthanasecond。Buttherewasstilllessthanasecond'sspacebetweentooverthrownLadyandthecar'sfrontwheels。
　　Theboyslammedontheemergencybrake。Throughhismindrantheformlessthoughtofhisfateatthehandsofhisemployerwhenheshouldreturntothestorewithtidingsthathehadrunoverandkilledagoodcustomer'scostlycollie；andonthecustomer'sowngrounds。
　　Inthatsinglebreathlessinstant，ahugemahogany-and-snowshapeflashedforward，intothepathofthemachine。
　　Lad，followinghismate，hadtriedtoshoulderherasideandtoherdhertoofarbackfromthedriveforanypossiblereturntothedangerzone，untilthecarshouldhavepassed。Morethanonce，atothertimes，hadhedonethis。But，today，shehadeludedhismightyshoulderandhadflungherselfbacktotheassault。
　　Asshefell，sherolledover，twice，fromherownmomentum。Thesecondrevolutionleftherdirectlyinfrontoftheskiddingwheels。Oneofthemhadactuallytouchedhersquirmingspine；
　　whenwhiteteethgrippedherbythescruffoftheneck。Thoseteethcouldcrushamutton-boneasachildcracksapeanut。But，onLady，today，theirpowerwasexertedonlytotheextentofliftingher，inoneswiftwrench，clearofthegroundandhighinair。
　　Themischievouscollieflewthroughspacelikealithemassofgoldenfluff；andcametoearth，inaheap，attheedgeofthedrive；wellclearofthemenacingwheels。WithLad，itfaredotherwise。
　　Thegreatdoghadbracedhimself，withallhismight，forthemuscle-wrenchingheave。Wherefore，hehadnochancetospringclear，intimetoavoidthecar。This，nodoubt，hehadrealized，whenhesprangtohisadoredmate'srescue。ForLad'sbrainwasuncannyinitscleverness。Thatsamecleverness，morelikelythanmerechance，——nowcametohisownaid。
　　Theleftfrontwheelstruckhimandstruckhimfair。Ithithismassiveshoulder，dislocatingthejointandknockingtheeighty-pounddogpronetoearth，hisruffwithinaninchofthewheel。Therewasnotimetogatherhisfeetunderhimortocoercethedislocatedshoulderintodoingitssharetowardliftinghiminasidewaysspringthatshouldcarryhimoutofthemachine'sway。TherewasbutonethingLadcoulddo。Andhedidit。
　　Hisbodyinacompactbunch，herolledmidwaybetweenthewheels；
　　makingthesinglerevolutionataspeedtheeyecouldscarcefollow，——aspeedwhichjerkedhimfromundertheimpendingleftwheelwhichalreadyhadsmittenhimdown。
　　Overhimslidthewheel-lockedcar，throughthemudofarecentrain；whiletheboyclungtotheemergencybrakeandyelled。
　　Overhimandpasthimskiddedthecar。Itmissedtheprostratedog，——missedhimwithallfourwheels；thoughtherearaxle'shousingsmearedhissnowyruffwithablurofblackgrease。
　　Onwentthemachineforanothertenfeet，beforeitcouldhalt。
　　Thenachalk-faceddeliveryboypeeredbackwardinfright，——toseeLadgettingpainfullytohisfeetandholdingperplexedlyalofthistinyrightforepawintokenofthedislocatedshoulder。
　　Thedeliveryboysawmore。Inaswirlofblackbadtemper，LadyhadgatheredherselfupfromtheditchwhereLad'stosshadlandedher。Withoutamoment'spauseshethrewherselfuponthelucklessdogwhoseroughtosshadsavedherlife。Teethaglint，growlingferociously，shedugherfangsintothehurtshoulderandslungherwholeweightforwardinthebite。
　　ThuswasitthetemperamentalLady'swonttopunishrealorfanciedinjuriesfromthePlace'sotheranimals，——andfromhumansaswell，exceptonlytheMistressandtheMaster。Shechargedfirst，anddidherthinkingafterward。Apparently，herbrain，justthen，couldholdnoimpressionexceptthatherinterferingmatehadpickedherupbytheneck-scruffandhadthrownher，headoverheels，intoaditch。Andsuchtreatmentcalledforinstantpenalty。
　　Underherfifty-poundimpact，poorLad'sthree-corneredbalancegaveway。Downhewentinanawkwardheap；whileLadysnarledviciouslyandsnappedforhismomentarilyexposedthroat。Ladturnedhisheadasidetoguardthethroat；buthemadenomovetoresentthisungratefulonslaught；muchlesstofightback。WhichwasoldLad'sway，——withLady。
　　Dislocatedshoulderornot，hewouldhaveflownatanymaledogthatassailedhim；andwouldhavemadetheaggressorfightfordearlife。Buthismatewassacred。Andhemerelyprotectedhisthroatandlethernipagonizinglyathisearsandpaws；untilherbriefflurryofwrathshouldbepast。
　　Ashoutfromtheveranda，——whithertherackethaddrawntheMasterfromhisstudy，——putasuddenstoptoLady'sbrainstorm。
　　ObediencewasthefirstandforemostruledrilledintotheLittlePeopleofthePlace。And，frompuppydays，thecolliesweretaughttocome，——andtocomeatarun，——atcallfromtheMistressortheMaster。
　　Lady，withnogoodgrace，desistedfromherpunitivetask，andgallopeddownthedrivetothehouse。Lad，risingwithdifficulty，followed；asfastasathree-leggedgaitwouldpermit。Andbehindthemchuggedthedeliveryboy，bawlingexplanations。
　　AsharpwordofreproofsentLadyskulkingintoacorner；angerforgotteninhumiliationatthepublicrebuke。TheMasterpaidnoheedtoher。Runningupthedrive，hemetLad，andpickedupthesufferingcollieinhisarms。Carryinghimintothestudy，theMastergavefirstaidtotheseriousdislocation；thenphonedforthenearestgoodvet。
　　Asheleftthestudy，totelephone，heencounteredLady，verywoebegoneandcringing，atthedoor。Whenhereturned，hebeheldtheremorsefullittlegold-and-whitevixenlickinghermate'shurtshoulderandwaggingapropitiatorytailinpleaforforgivenessfromthedogshehadbittenandfromtheMasterwhoseLawshehadbrokenbyherattackonthecar。
　　Always，afterherbriefrages，Ladywasprettilyandgenuinelyrepentantandeagertomakefriendsagain。And，asever，Ladwasmeetingherapologiesmorethanhalf-way；——absurdlyblissfulatherdaintyattentions。
　　Inthedaysthatfollowed，Ladyatfirstspentthebulkofhertimenearherlamemate。Shewasunusuallygentleandaffectionatewithhim；andseemedtryingtomakeuptohimfortheenforcedidlenessofstrainedsinewsanddislocatedjoint。Inherfriendlinessandattention，Ladwasvery，veryhappy。
　　Thevethadbandagedhisshoulderandhadanointeditwithpungentlysmellymedicineswhosereekwasdisgustingandevenpainfultothethoroughbred'ssupersensitivenostrils。Moreover，thevethadleftordersthatLadbemadetokeepquietuntilthehurtshouldheal；andthatherisknosetbackbyundueexertionofanysort。ItwassweettolieintheMaster'sstudy，——onewhiteforepaworthegreatshapelyheadlaidlovinglyontheman'shikingboot；andwithanoccasionalpatorafriendlywordfromhisdeity，asthelatterpoundedawayonaclickytypewriterwhosejarringnoiseLadhadlongagotaughthimselftotolerate。
　　Sweeteritwastobemademuchofand"poored"bytheMistress；
　　andtohaveherlighthandsadjusthisbandages；andtohearhertellhimwhatadeardoghewasandpraisehisbraveryinrescuingLady。
　　Perhapssweetestofall，inthoseearlydaysofconvalescence，wastheamazingsolicitudeofLadyherself；andherqueerlymaternaltendernesstowardhim。
　　But，asthesummerdaysdreamedthemselvesawayandLad'ssplendidhealthbroughthimnearerandnearertorecovery，Ladywaxedrestiveunderthelongstrainofindolenceandofgoodtemper。Ladhadbeenhercompanionintheearlymorningramblesthroughtheforest，backofthePlace；inrabbitquests；inswimsintheice，coollakeatthefootofthelawn；inrompsonthesmoothgreengrassandinadozenoftheactivepursuitswhereincountry-bredcollieslovetosquandertheoutdoordays。
　　LessandlessdidLadycontentherselfwithdullattendanceontheconvalescent。Moreandmoreoftendidshesetforthwithouthimonthosecross-countryrunsthathadmeantsomuchtothemboth。Ladwouldwatchhervanishupthedrive，——theirfierylittleson，Wolf，canteringgleefullyatherside。Then，hisdarkeyesfullofsorrow，hewouldgazeattheMasterand，withasigh，wouldliebackonhisrug——andwait。
　　Therewassomethingsohuman，——souncomplaininglywretched，——inlookandinsigh，——thattheMasterwastouchedbythebigdog'slonelinessandvexedattheflightyLady'sdefection。Stoopingdown，atonesuchtime，heranhishandoverthebeautifulsilkyheadthatrestedagainsthisknee；andsaidinlameattemptatcomfort:——
　　"Don'tletitgetunderyourskin，Laddie！Sheisn'tworthit。
　　Oneofyourhonestpawsisworthmorethanherwholefly-awaybody——Notthatanyoneeverwaslovedbecauseheorshewasworthy！——You'reupagainstthepenaltythatisboundtogeteverybodywithasoul，whoisfoolenoughtolovesomethingorsomebodywithoutone……We'regoingoverforthemail，——theMistressandI。Wanttocomealong？"
　　AtoncethemelancholyinLad'sdeepeyesgaveplacetopuppy-likeexultance。
　　While，naturally，hedidnotunderstandonewordintenoftheMaster'sfrequentprosyhomiliestohim，oroftheMistress'smoremelodiousspeech，yet，frompuppyhood，hehadbeentalkedtobybothofthem。And，aseverwithahighbredcollie，suchconstantconversationhadborneamplefruit；——notonlyingivingthedogastartlingcomprehensionofvoice-meanings，butalsointeachinghimtounderstandmanysimplewordsandphrases。
　　Forexample，herecognized，asreadilyaswouldanyfive-year-oldchild，thisinvitationtogomotoring。AnditbanishedthememoryofLady'sfickleness。
　　Thismorning，forthefirsttimesincehisaccident，Ladwasabletospringintothecar-tonneau，unaided。Hishurtwasall-butwell。Enthroninghimselfintheprecisecenteroftherearseat，hepreparedtoenjoyeveryinchoftheride。
　　Nomatterhowlongorhowtediouswerethesejaunts，Ladneverwenttosleeporceasedtosurveywitheagerattentionthemyriaddetailsofthetrip。Therewassomethinghalf-laughable，half-pathetic，inhisairofstrainedinterest。
　　OnlywhentheMistressandtheMasterbothchancedtoleavethecaratthesametime，atmarketorbankorpostoffice，wouldLadceasefromthisgenialandabsorbedinspectionofeverythinginsight。Leftaloneinthemachine，healwaysrealizedatoncethathewasonguard。Headonpawshewouldlie，intentlyscanninganyonewhomightchancetopauseneartheauto；and，withaglintofcurvedwhitefangbeneathsharplyupcurledlip，warningawaysuchpersonsasventuredtooclose。
　　Marketingdone，today，thetriofromthePlacestartedhomeward。
　　Lessthanaquarter-milefromtheirowngateway，theyheardtheblaringhonkofamotorhornbehindthem。
　　Withinasecondthereafter，arunaboutroaredpast，thecut-outmakingechoesalongthestillroad；andapoisonouslychokingcloudofdustwhirlingaloftinthespeedster'swake。
　　ThewarninghonkhadnotgiventheMistresstimetoturnout。
　　Luckilyshewasdrivingwellonherownsideofthenone-too-wideroad。Asitwas，asharplittlejargavetestimonytothelighttouchofmudguards。Andtherunaboutwhizzedon。
　　"That'soneofthespeed-idiotswhomakeanautomobileaninsulttoeverybodyexceptitsowner！Theyoungfool！"stormedtheMaster，gloweringimpotentlyattheothercar，alreadyahundredyardsahead；andatthebackofitsoneoccupant，asportily-cladyouthintheearlytwenties。
　　Ahigh-pitchedyelpingbark，——partlyofdismay，partlyofwarning，——fromLad，brokeinontheMaster'sfumingremonstrance。
　　Thebigdoghadsprungupfromhisrearseatcushionand，withforepawsgrippingthebackofthefrontseat，hewaspeeringforward；hisheadandshouldersbetweentheMistressandtheMaster。
　　NeverbeforeinallhisrideshadLadsotransgressedtherulesofmotoringbehaviorastothrusthimselfforwardlikethis。A
　　wordofrebukediedontheMaster'stongue；astheMistress，withagaspoffear，pointedahead，inthepathofthespeedingrunabout。
　　LadyandWolfhadhadajollygallopthroughthesummerwoodlands。Andatlasttheyhadturnedtheirfaceshomeward；fortheplungeinthecoollakewhichwaswonttofollowahotweatherrun。Sidebysidetheyjoggedalong，totheforestedge——andintothesixteen-acremeadowthatstretchesfromforesttohighway。
　　AfewrodsonthefarsideoftheroadwhichseparatedthemeadowfromtherestofthePlace，Wolfpausedtoinvestigateachipmunkhole。Ladywasmoreinterestedjusttheninsplashingherhotbodyinthechillofthelakethaninexploringforhypotheticalchipmunks。
　　Moreover，herkeenearscaughtasoundwhichrapidlysweptnearerandnearer。Amotor-carwiththemufflercutoutwasapproaching，atamostgratifyinglyhighspeed。
　　ThenoisewasasmartialmusictoLady。Thespeedpromisedexhilaratingsport。Hertrotmergedintoaheadlongrun；andshedashedoutintotheroad。
　　Therunaboutwasabarefiftyyardsaheadofher，anditwascomingonwithaspeedwhichshookevenLady'sexcitement-cravingnerves。Here，evidently，wasaplaymatewhichitwouldbesafertochasethantoconfronthead-on。
　　Itwasatthisjuncture，bytheway，thatLadlurchedforwardfromtherearseatandthattheMistresspointedinterrorattheendangeredcollie。
　　Lady，foronceoverawedbyspeed，leapedtoonesideoftheroad。
　　Notfar，butleavingamplespaceforthedrivertomissherbyatleastayard。Hehadhonkedloudly，atsightofher。But，hehadabatednotanatomofhisfifty-mile-an-hourpace。
　　Whetherthemanwasrattledbythecollie'santics，——whetherheactedinsuddenrageatherforstartlinghim，whetherhebelongedtothefilthybreedofmotoristwhoreciteschucklinglytherecordofhiskills，——hedidnotholdhismidroadcourse。
　　Instead，——stillwithoutcheckingspeed，——heveeredhismachineslightlytotheright；aimingtheflyingjuggernautdirectlyatthemischievously-poisedlittlecolliewhodancedinimaginedsafetyattheroad-edge。
　　Therestwashorror。
　　Mercifulinitsmercilessness，thehard-drivenrightfrontwheelsmotethesilkygoldenheadwithaforcethatleftnoterribleinstantoffearorofagony。Moreluckybyfarthanthemyriadinnocentandfriendlydogsthatareleftdailytoscreamouttheirliveswrithinglyinthewakeofspeedingmotor-cars，Ladywaskilledatasinglestroke。
　　Thefluffygoldenbodywashurledfarinfrontofitsslayer；andthewheelsstruckitasecondtime。Theforceoftheimpactcausedtherunabouttoskid，perilously；andtheyouthfuldriverbroughtittoajarringandbelatedhalt。Springingtotheground，herolledthedeadcollie'simpedingbodyintotheshallowwaysideditch，clearofhiswheels。Then，scramblingaboardagain，hejammeddowntheaccelerator。
　　LadhadmadeaflyingleapoverthedooroftheMaster'scar。Hestruckgroundwithaforcewhichcrumpledhishealingrightshoulderunderhim。Heedlessofthepain，hehurledhimselfforward，onthreelegs，atanincrediblespeed；straightfortherunabout。Hisgreatheadlow，hisformidableteethagleambeneathdrawn-backlips，hissofteyesa-smolderwithredflame，Ladcharged。
　　But，forallhisburstofspeed，hewastoolatetoavenge；evenashehadbeentoolatetosave。BythetimehecouldreachthespotwhereLadylaycrumpledandmovelessintheditch，therunabouthadgatheredfullspeedandwasdisappearingdownthebendofthehighway。
　　AfteritflewLad，silent，terrible，——notstoppingtorealizethatthefleetestdog，——evenwithallfourofhislegsincommission，——cannothopetooverhaulamotor-cardrivenatfiftymilesanhour。
　　But，attheendofafuriousquarter-mile，hiswisebraintookchargeoncemoreofhisvengeance-cravingheart。Hehalted，snarledhideouslyafterthevanishedcar，andlimpedmiserablybacktothesceneofthetragedy。
　　There，hefoundtheMistresssittingintheroadsidedust，Lady'sheadinherlap。Shewassmoothinglovinglythesoftrumpledfur；
　　andwastryinghardnottocryovertheinertwarmmassofgold-and-whitefluffinesswhich，twominutesearlier，hadbeenabeautifulthoroughbredcollie，vibrantwithlifeandfunandlovableness。
　　TheMasterhadrisenfromhisbriefinspectionofhispet'sfatalinjuries。Scowlingdowntheroad，heyearnedtokickhimselfforhisstupidityinfailingtonotetheJuggernaut'snumber。
　　Headandtaila-droop，LadtoiledbacktowhereLadywaslying。A
　　queerlowsound，strangelylikeahumansob，pulsedinhisshaggythroat，ashebentdownandtouchedhisdeadmate'smuzzlewithhisown。Then，huddlingclosebesideher，herevertedallatoncetoatraitofhisancestors，athousandgenerationsback。
　　Sittingonhishaunchesandliftinghispointednosetothesummersky，hegaveventtoaseriesoflong-drawnwolfhowls；
　　horribletohear。Therewasnohintofahousebredtwentiethcenturydoginhislament。Itwasthedeath-howloftheprimitivewolf；——asoundthatsentaninvoluntaryshiverthroughthetwohumanswholistenedaghasttotheirchum'sawesomemourningforhislostmate。
　　TheMastermadeasthoughtosaysomething，——incomfortorincorrection。TheMistress，wiser，motionedtohimnottospeak。
　　Inafewseconds，Ladrosewearilytohisfeet；thespasmofprimalgriefhavingspentitself。Oncemorehewashimself；
　　sedate，wise，calm。
　　Limpingovertowherethecarhadhaltedsobriefly，hecastabouttheground，afterthemannerofabloodhound。
　　Presently，hecametoanabrupthalt。Hehadfoundwhathesought。Asmotionlessasabird-dogatpoint，hestoodthere；
　　nosetoearth，sniffing。
　　"Whatinblazes——？"begantheMaster，perplexed。
　　TheMistresswaskeenerofeyeandofperception。Sheunderstood。
　　ShesawtheLad'sinhalinglyseekingmuzzlewassteadyaboveafaintmarkintheroad-dust；——themarkofabuckskinshoe'sprint。Longandcarefullythedogsniffed。Then，withheavydeliberationhemovedontothenextfootprintandthenext。Therunabout'sdriverhadtakenlessthanahalfdozenstepsinall；
　　duringhisshortdescenttotheground。ButLaddidnotstopuntilhehadfoundandidentifiedeachandeverystep。
　　"Heknows！"marveledtheMistress。"Hesawthebrutejumpdownfromhiscar。Andhehasfoundhisfootsteps。He'llrememberthem，too。"
　　"Littlegooditwilldothepoorchap！"commentedtheMaster。"Hecan'ttrackhim，thatway。Getaboard，won'tyou？"hewenton。
　　"I'llmakeLadgobackintothetonneauagain，too。Drivedowntothehouse；andtakeLadindoorswithyou。Bettertelephonetothevettocomeoverandhaveanotherlookathisshoulder。He'swrencheditbadly，inallthatrun。Anyway，pleasekeephimindoorstill——"
　　HefinishedhissentencebyaglanceatLady。AttheMaster'sorder，Ladwithsorereluctanceleftthebodyofhismate；
　　whitherhehadreturnedafterhisuselessfindingofthefootmarks。Hehadjustcurledup，intheditch，pressingclosetoherside；andagainthatunnaturalsobbingsoundwasinhisthroat。OntheMaster'sbidding，Ladcrossedtothecarandsufferedhimselftobeliftedaboard。TheMistressstarteddownthedrive。Astheywent，Ladeverlookedback，withsufferingdespairinhisdarkeyes，atthathuddleofgoldenfuratthewayside。
　　TheMastercarriedthepitifullylightarmfultoasecludedspotfarbeyondthestables；andthereheburiedit。Then，satisfiedthatLadcouldnotfindhismate'sgrave，hereturnedtothehouse。
　　Hisheartwasheavywithhelplesswrath。Againandagain，inthecourseoftheirdrives，heandtheMistresshadsickenedatsightofmutelyeloquentlittlebodiesleftinmid-roadortossedinsomeditch，——testimonytothecarelessnessandcalloushoggishnessofautoists。Somefewoftheserun-overdogs，——likepoorLady，——hadofcoursetemptedfate；spurredonbythatstrangecravingwhichgoadedthemtoflyatcars。Butthebulkofthemhadbeenstrollingpeacefullyalongthehighwaysorcrossingtoorfromtheirowndooryards，whenthejuggernautssmashedthemintotortureorintoinstantdeath。
　　TheMasterreflectedonthefriendlycountryfolkwhopaytaxesforthesceneryandforthefineroadswhichmakemotoringsopleasant；——andontherewardsomanymotoristsbestowupontheseruralhostsoftheirsbywantonorheedlessmurderofpetanimals。Forthefirsttime，hecouldunderstandhowandwhyfarmersaretemptedtostrewglassortacksintheroadtorevengetheslayingofabeloveddog。
　　Forthenextfewdays，untilhisshoulderwasagaininconditiontobearhiseighty-poundweightonit，Ladwaskeptindoorsorontheveranda。Assoonashewasallowedtogooutalone，thebigcolliewentstraighttothespotwherelasthehadseenLady'sbody。Thence，heamadeacarefuldetourofthePlace，——seekingfor——something。Itwastwodaysbeforehefoundwhathesought。
　　Inthemeantime，——asever，sincehismate'skilling，——heatepracticallynothing；andwentaboutinadaze。
　　"He'llgetoveritpresently，"prophesiedtheMaster，tosoothehiswife'sworry。
　　"Perhapsso，"returnedtheMistress。"Orperhapsnot。Rememberhe'sacollie，andnotjustahuman。"
　　Onthethirdday，Lad'ssystematicquarteringofthePlacebroughthimtothetinynewmound，farbeyondthestables。Twice，hecircledit。Thenhelaydown，veryclosebesideit；hismightyheadathwarttheridgeofupflungsod。
　　There，——havingseenhimfromadistance，——theMastercameacrosstospeaktohim。Butatsightoftheman，thecolliegotupfromhisrestingplaceandmovedfurtivelyaway。
　　Timeaftertime，duringthenextweek，theMasterortheMistressfoundhimlyingthere。Andalways，attheirapproach，hewouldgetupanddepart。Nordidhegodirecttothemound，onthesepilgrimages；butbydeviouspaths；asthoughtryingtoshakeoffpossiblepursuit。Nolongerdidhespendthenights，asfrompuppyhood，inhisbeloved"cave"underthepianointhemusicroom。Ononepretextoranother，hewouldmanagetoslipoutofthehouse，duringtheevening。Twice，ingraydawn，theMasterfoundhimcrouchedbesidethemound，where，sleepless，hehadlainallnight。
　　TheMistressandtheMastergrewseriouslytroubledovertheircolliechum'scontinuedgrief。Theythought，morethanonce，ofsendinghimawaytoboardingkennelsortosomefriend，foramonthortwo；toremovehimfromthesurroundingswhichmadehimsowretched。Oddlyenough，hisheartbreakstruckneitherofthemasabsurd。
　　Theyhadmadealongstudyofcollienatureinallitsmillionqueerandhalf-humanphases。Theyknew，too，thatagrievingdogisupheldbynoneofthesupportsofFaithnorofPhilosophy；andthathelacksthewisdomwhichteachesthewondrousanaestheticpowersofTime。Asorrowingdogsorrowswithouthope。
　　NordidLad'smiseryseemridiculoustothePlace'smanykindlyneighbors；withwhomthegreatdogwasafavoriteandwhowererighteouslyindignantoverthekillingofLady。
　　Theninasingleminutecamethecure。
　　OnLaborDayafternoon，thefinalsinalocaltennistournamentweretobeplayedatthemiledistantcountryclub。TheMistressandtheMasterwentacrosstothetournament；takingLadalong。
　　Notthattherecouldbeanythingoftheremotestinteresttoadoginthesightofflanneledyoungpeopleswattingaballbackandforth。ButLadwasaprivilegedguestatalloutdoorfunctions；andheenjoyedbeingwithhistwodeities。
　　Thus，whenthetwoclimbedtheclubhouseveranda，Ladwasattheirheels；pacingalonginmajesticunhappinessandnotturninghisbeautifulheadinresponsetoanyofadozengreetingsflungathim。TheMistressfoundaseatamongabevyofneighbors。Ladlaydown，decorously，atherfeet；andrefusedtodisplaythefaintestinterestinanythingthatwentonaroundhim。
　　Theplayinghadnotyetbegun。Newarrivalsweredriftingupthestepsoftheclubhouse。Caraftercardisgorgedwomeninsportclothesandmeninknickerbockersorflannels。Therewasplentyofchatterandbustleandmotion。Ladpaidnoheedtoanyofit。
　　Then，uptothefootoftheverandastepsjarredaflashyrunabout；drivenbyaflashieryouth。Atwordfromthepolicemaninchargeheparkedhiscarattherearoftheclubhouseamongfiftyothers，andreturnedonfoottothesteps。
　　"That'syoungRhuburger，"someonewasconfidingtotheMistress。
　　"Youmusthavereadabouthim。HewasarrestedasaConscientiousObjector，duringthewar。Sincethen，hisfatherhasdied，andlefthimallsortsofmoney。Andheisburningit；indoublehandfuls。Nooneseemstoknowjusthowhegotintotheclub，here。Andnooneseemsto——"
　　Thegossipymaunderingbrokeoffshort；drownedinawildbeastgrowl。
　　BoththeMistressandherhusbandhadbeeneyeingRhuburgerasheascendedtheverandastepsinallthegloryofunbelievablyexquisiteandgaudyraiment。Thereseemedtobothofthemsomethingvaguelyfamiliaraboutthefellow；thoughneithercouldplacehim。But，toLad，therewasnothingatallvagueinhisrecollectionsofthegorgeousnewcomer。
　　AsRhuburgerreachedthetopmoststep，thecollieliftedhishead，hisnostrilsdilatingwide。Athrillwentthroughhim。Hisnearsightedeyessweptthecrowd。TheyrestedatlastonRhuburger。Anotherdeepinhalationtoldhimallheneededtoknow。NotinvainhadLadsniffedsolongandsocarefullyatthosefaintfootprintsintheroaddust，atthespotwhereLadydied。Inhisthroatadeepgrowlwasborn。