1922
CHAPTERI。TheDerelictLinkFerriswasafighter。Notbynature，norbychoice，buttokeepalive。
Hisbattlegroundcoveredanareaoffortyacres——broken，scrubby，uncertainside—hillacres，atthat。Inbrief，aworked—outfarmamongthemountainslopesoftheNorthJerseyhinterland；sixmilesfromthenearestrailroad。
ThefarmwasFerris’s，byrightofsoleheritagefromhisfather，aCivil—Warveteran，whohadtakenupthewildernesslandin1865
andwho，forthirtyyearsthereafter，hadwroughttomakeitpay。
AtbesttheelderFerrishadwrenchedonlyameagerlivingfromthelightandrock—infestedsoil。
Thefirst—growthtimberonthewestwoodlotforsometimehadstavedofftheneedofamortgage；itsveteranoaksandhickoriesgrimlygivinguptheirlives，inhundreds，tokeepthewolffromthedooroftheirowner。WhenthelastofthesalabletimberwasgoneOldManFerristriedhishandattruckfarming，andsoldhiswaresfromawagontothedenizensofCraigswold，thenewcolonyofrichfolk，fourmilestonorthward。
ButtoraisesuchvegetablesandfruitsaswouldtempttheeyesandthepursesofCraigswoldpeopleitwasnecessarytohavemorethanmerezealandindustry。Sourgroundwillnotreadilyyieldsweetabundance，bethetoilereversoindustrious。Moreover，therewaslargeandgrowingcompetition，intheformofotherhucksterroutes。
Andpresentlytheoldveteranweariedoftheeternaluphillstruggle。Hemortgagedthefarm，dyingsoonafterward。AndLink，hisson，waslefttocarryonthethanklesstask。
LinkFerriswasasmuchapartoftheFerrisfarmaswasthegiantbowlderinthesouthmowing。Hehadbeenborninthepaintlessshackwhichhisfatherhadbuiltwithhisownrheumatichands。Hehadworkedformorethanaquartercentury，inandoutofthehillfieldsandtheramshacklebarns。Frombabyhoodhehadtoiledthere。Scanthadbeenthechancesforschooling，andmorescanthadbeentheopportunitiesforoutsideinfluence。
Wherefore，Linkhadgrowntoawirilyweedyandslouchingmanhood，almostasignorantoftheworldbeyondhismountainwallsaswereanyofhisown"critters。"Hislifewasboundedbyfruitlesslabor，variedonlybysuchsleepandfoodasmightfithimtolabortheharder。
Heateandslept，thathemightbeabletowork。Andheworked，thathemightbeabletoeatandsleep。Beyondthat，hislifewasasbarrenasarainysea。
Ifhedreamedofotherandwiderthings，theworkadaygrindspeedilysetsuchdreamstorout。Whenthegnawingoflonelyunrestwastooacuteforbovineendurance——andwhenhecouldsparethetimeorthemoney——hewaswonttogotothemile—offhamletofHamptonandtheregetasnearlydrunkashisfundswouldpermit。
Itwashisonlysurcease。Andasarule，itwasapoorone。Forseldomdidhehaveenoughreadymoneytobuywholesaleforgetfulness。Moreoftenhewasabletopurchaseonlyenoughhardciderorfuseloilwhiskytomakehimdullandvaguelymiserable。
ItwasonhiswayhomeoneSaturdaynightfromsucharudimentarydebauchatHamptonthathisAdventurehaditssmallbeginning。
ForahalfmileorsoofLink’shomewardpilgrimage——beforeheturnedoffintothegrass—grown，ruttedhilltrailwhichledtohisfarm——hiswayledalongaspurofthestateroadwhichlinkedNewYorkCitywiththeRamapohillcountry。
Andhere，asLinkswungglumlyalongthroughthespringtidedusk，hisearswereassailedbyasoundthatwassomethingbetweenasighandasob——asoundasofonewhotriesvaliantlytostifleawhimperofsharppain。
Ferrishalted，uncertain，attheroadedge；andpeeredabouthim。
Againheheardthesound。Andthistimehelocateditinthelonggrassofthewaysideditch。Thegrasswasstirringspasmodically，too，aswiththehalf—restrainedwrithingsofsomethinglyingclosetoearththere。
Linkstruckamatch。Shieldingtheflame，hepushedthetangleofgrasstoonesidewithhisfoot。
There，exposedinthenarrowspacethusclearedandbythenarrowerradiusofmatchflare，crouchedadog。
Thebrutewashuddledinacrumpledheap，withoneforelegstuckawkwardlyoutinfrontofhimatanimpossibleangle。Histawnymassofcoatwasmiredandoilstreaked。Inhisdeep—setbrowneyesburnedthefiresofagony。
Yet，ashelookedupatthemanwhobentabovehim，thedog’sgazewasneitherfiercenorcringing。Itheldrathersuchanexpressionas，Dumastellsus，thewoundedAthosturnedtoD’Artagnan——theaspectofoneinsoreneedofaid，andtooproudtopleadforit。
LinkFerrishadneverheardofDumas，noroftheimmortalmusketeer。Nonetheless，hecouldreadthatlook。Anditappealedtohim，asnohowlofanguishcouldhaveappealed。Hekneltbesidethesufferingdogandfelltoexamininghishurts。
Thedogwasacollie——beautifulofhead，sweepinglygracefulofline，powerfulandheavycoated。Themudonhisexpanseofsnowychestfrillandthegreaseonhisdarkbrownbackwereeasytoaccountfor，eventoLinkFerris’snone—too—keenimagination。
Link，inhisownoccasionaltrudgesalongthisbitofstateroad，hadoftenseencostlydogsinthetonneausofpassingcars。Hehadseenseveralofthemscramblefranticallytomaintaintheirfootingontheslipperyseatsofsuchcars；whenchauffeurstookthesharpcurve，justahead，attoohighspeed。HehadevenseenoneAiredaleflungbodilyfromacar’srearseatatthatcurve，andoutintotheroadway；whereaclose—followingmotorhadrunoverandkilledit。
Thiscollie，doubtless，hadhadsuchafall；and，unseenbythefrontseat’soccupants，hadstruckgroundwithterrificforce——aforcethathadsenthimwhirlingthroughmudandgreaseintotheditch，withabrokenfrontleg。
HowlongthebeasthadlainthereLinkhadnowayofguessing。
Butthedogwasinmortalagony。Andthekindestthingtodowastoputhimoutofhispain。
Ferrisgropedaroundthroughthegloomuntil，intheditch，hisfingersclosedoveraten—poundstone。Onesmashingblowonthehead，withthismissile，wouldbringaswiftandmercifulendtothesufferer’stroubles。
Poisingthestonealoft，Linkturnedbacktowherethedoglay。
Standingoverthevictim，hebalancedtherockandtensedhismusclesfortheblow。Thematchhadlongsincegoneout，butLink’sdusk—accustomedvisioncouldreadilydiscerntheoutlinesofthecollie。Andhemadereadytostrike。
Then——perhapsitwasthedrinkplayingtrickswithFerris’smind——itseemedtohimthathecouldstillseethosedeep—setdarkeyesstaringupathimthroughthemurk，withthatsamefearlessandyetpiteouslookintheirdepths。Itwasalookthatthebriefsputterofmatch—lighthadphotographedonLink’sbrain。
"I——Iain’tgotthehearttoswatyouwhileyoukeeplookin’thatwayatme，"hemutteredhalf—aloud，asiftoahumancompanion。
"Jes’youturnyourheadtheotherway，pup!It’llbeoverquick，an’easy。"
BythefaintlightLinkcouldseethedoghadnotobeyedtheordertoturnhishead。Butattheman’stoneofcompassionthegreatplumytailbegantothumpthegroundinfeebleresponse。
"H’m!"gruntedLink，lettingthestonedroptotheroad，"gotnerve，too，ain’tyou，friend？’Tain’teverycussthatcanwaghistailwhenhisleg’sbust。"
Kneelingdownagainheexaminedthebrokenforelegmorecarefully。Gentleaswashistouch，yetLinkknewitmustcauseinfinitetorture。Butthedogdidnotflinch。HeseemedtounderstandthatFerrismeantkindly，forhemovedhismagnificentheadfarenoughtolicktheman’shandsoftlyandingratitude。
ThecaresshadanoddeffectonthelovelessFerris。Itwasthefirstvoluntarymarkofaffectionhehadencounteredforlongerthanhelikedtoremember。Itsetoldmemoriestoworking。
TheFerrisfarm，sinceLink’sbirth，hadbeenperhapstheonlyhomeinallthatwildregionwhichdidnotboastadogofsomekind。Link’sfatherhadhadaninbornhatredofdogs。Hewouldnotallowoneontheplace。Hisovertexcusewasthattheykilledsheepandworriedcattle，andthathecouldnotaffordtoriskthewell—beingofhisscantyhoardofstock。
Thus，Linkhadgrowntomanhoodwithnodogathisheels，andwithoutknowingthenormalhuman’sloveforcaninechumship。
Theprimalinstinct，longburied，stirredwithinhimnow；attouchofthewarmtongueonhiscallousedhandandatsoundofthatfriendlytailwagginginthedrygrass。Ashamedofthestirringsinhim，hesoughttoexplainthembyremindinghimselfthatthiswasprobablyavaluableanimalandthatarewardmightbeofferedforhisreturn。InwhichcaseLinkFerrismightaswellprofitbythecashwindfallasanyoneelse。
Takingoffhiscoat，Ferrisspreaditontheground。Then，liftingthestrickencollieasgentlyashecould，hedepositedhimonthecoatandrolleditsfrayededgesabouthim。Afterwhichhepickeduptheswathedinvalidandborehimhome。
Duringthemiletrudgethecollie’ssixtypoundsgrewunbearablyheavy，tothehalf—drunkFerris。Morethanoncehewasmindedtosetdownhisburdenandleavethebrutetohisfate。
ButalwaysthetardyrealizationthatthejourneywasmorepainfultothedogthantohimselfgaveLinkafreshgriponhisdetermination。Andatlast，——alongandtiringlast，——theyreachedthetumble—downfarmhousewhereLinkFerriskeptbachelor’shall。
Layinghispatientonthekitchentable，Linklightedacandleandwentinsearchofsuchrudeappliancesashisfatherhadbeenwonttokeepinstoreforanyofthefarm’sanimalsthatmightbeinjured。
ThreetimesasaladLinkhadseenhisfathersetthebrokenlegofasheep，andoncehehadwatchedtheoldermanperformalikeofficeforayearlingheiferwhosehindleghadbecomewedgedbetweentwobrooksidestonesandhadsustainedacompoundfracture。FromCivilWarhospitalexperiencethefatherhadbeenadeftbonesetter。Andfollowinghisrecollectionoftheoldman’smethods，Linkhimselfhadlatersetthebrokenlegofoneofhislambs。Theoperationhadbeenasuccess。Heresolvednowtoduplicateit。
Slowlyandsomewhatclumsilyhewenttoworkattheinjureddog。
Thecollie’sbravepatiencenervedhimtogreatertendernessandcare。Aveterinarywouldhavemadeneaterworkofthebonesetting，buthardlycouldhaverenderedthejobmoreeffective。
WhenthetaskwasachievedLinkbroughthispatientabowlofcoldwater——whichthecolliedrankgreedily——andsomebreadandmeatscrapswhichthefeverishpatientwouldnottouch。
Asheworkedathisbonesettingtask，Ferrishadmorechancetostudyhisnewacquisition。Thedogwasyoung——probablynotmorethantwoyearsold。Theteethprovedthat。Heworeathincolliecollarwithnoinscriptiononitssilverband。
EventoLink’sinexperiencedeyehewasananimalofhighbreedingandofgloriousbeauty。Linktoldhimselfhewouldperhapsgetasmuchastendollarsforthereturnofsocostlyapet。Andhewonderedwhythegoldenprospectdidnotseemmorealluring。
ThreetimesinthenightLinkgotuptogivethecolliefreshwaterandtomoistenandre—adjustthebandages。And，everytime，thesightofhisrescuerwouldcausethedog’stailtothumpajoyouswelcomeandwouldfillthedarkeyeswithalovinggratitudewhichwentstraighttoFerris’slonelyheart。
Inthemorningthedogwasprevailedupontolapasaucerofwarmmilk，andeventonibbleatacrustofsoakedbread。Linkwasashamedofhisownkeenandgrowinginterestinhisfind。Forthefirsttimeherealizedhowbleaklylonesomehadbeenhishomelife，sincethedeathofhisfatherhadlefthimsolitary。
Therewasamysteriouslycomfortingcompanionshipinthedog’spresence。Linkfoundhimselftalkingtohimfromtimetotimeastoafellowhuman。Andthewordsdidnotechobackineeriehollownessfromthewalls，aswhenhehadsometimessoughttoeasehisdesolationbytalkingaloudtohimself。
Hewasembarrassedbyhisgeneralignoranceofdogs，andbyhisignoranceofthisparticulardog’sname。Hesoughttolearnwhatthecolliehadbeencalled；bytryingonefamiliardognameafteranother。But，tosuchstand—bycognomensasRover，Tige，Fido，Ponto，Shepandtherest，thepatientgavenofurthersignofrecognitionthanafriendlywaggingofhisplumedtail。Andhewaggeditnomoreinterestedlyforonenamethanforanother。
SoFerrisceasedfromtheeffort，anddecidedtogivehispetabrand—newnameforsuchbriefspaceastheyshouldbehousemates。
Afterlongdeliberationhehituponthename"Chum，"astypicaloftheoddfriendshipthatwasspringingtolifebetweenthedogandhimself。Andheplannedtodevotemuchtimetoteachingthecolliethisname。
But，tohissurprise，nosuchtediousperiodofinstructionwasnecessary。InlessthanasingledayChumknewhisname，——knewitpastalldoubt。
Linkwasamazedatsuchcleverness。Forthreesolidmonths，atonetime，hehadstriventoteachhishorseandhiscowsandafewofhissheeptorespondtogivennames。Andattheendofthecourseofpatienttutelagehehadbeenmorbidlycertainthatnotoneofhissolemn—eyedpupilshadgraspedthelessons。
Itwassurprisinglypleasanttodropinatthekitchendoornowadays，inintervalsbetweenchoresorattheday’send，andbegreetedbythatgladglintoftheeyeandtheecstaticpoundingofthewavytailagainstthefloor。ItwasstillpleasantertoseethegazeofwistfuladorationthatstrengtheneddailyasChumandhisnewmastergrewbetterandbetteracquainted。
Pleasantestofallwasittositandtalktothecollieintheonce—tediousevenings，andtoknowthathiseverywordwasappreciatedandlistenedtowitheagerinterest，evenifthefullgistofthetalkitselfdidnotpenetratetothelistener’sunderstanding。
LinkFerris，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hadadog。
Incidentally，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hehadanintimatefriend——somethingofwhoseloveandloyaltyhewaxedincreasinglysure。Andhewashappy。
Hisbrighterspiritsmanifestedthemselvesinhisfarmwork，transformingdrudgeryintocontentment。Andthefarmbegan，insmallways，toshowtheeffectsofitsowner’snewattitudetowardlabor。
ThedayafterhefoundChum，LinkhadtrudgedtoHampton；and，there，hadaffixedtotheclapboardsofthegeneralstoreabitofpaperwhereonhehadscrawled：
"Found—Onewhiteandbrownbirddogwithlegbroken。Ownercanhavesamebypayingareward。"
OnhisnexthuckstertriptoCraigswoldhepinnedasimilarsigntothebulletinboardofthatrarefiedresort’spost—office。Andhewaitedforresults。
Hedidmore。Heboughttwosuccessivecopiesofthecounty’sdailypaperandscanneditforwordofamissingdog。Butinneithercopydidhefindwhathesought。
True，botheditionscarrieddisplayadvertisementswhichofferedaseventy—fivedollarrewardforinformationleadingtothereturnofa"dark—sable—and—whitecollielostsomewherebetweenHohokusandSuffern。"
ThefirsttimehesawthisnoticeLinkwasvaguelytroubledlestitmightrefertoChum。Hetoldhimselfhehopeditdid。Forseventy—fivedollarsjustnowwouldbeagodsend。Andinself—disgusthechokedbackamostannoyingtwingeofgriefatthoughtofpartingwiththedog。
Twothingsintheadvertisementpuzzledhim。Inthefirstplace，asChumwaslonghairedandgraceful，Linkhadmentallyclassifiedhimasbelongingtothesamebreedasdidthesetterswhichaccompaniedhuntersonmountainramblespasthisfarmintheautumns。Beingwhollyunversedincaninelore，hehad，therefore，classifiedChumasa"birddog"。Theword"collie"，ifeverhehadchancedtohearitbefore，carriednomeaningtohim。
Moreover，hedidnotknowwhat"sable"meant。HeaskedDominieJansen，whomhemetonthewayhome。Andthedominietoldhim"sable"wasanothernamefor"black。"Jansenwentontoamplifythetheme，dictionary—fashion，byquotingapieceofsacredpoetryabout"thesablewingsofnight。"
AgreatloadwasoffLink’sheart。Chum，mostassuredly，wasnotblackandwhite。Sotheadvertisementcouldnotpossiblyrefertohim。Thereverendgentleman，notbeingadogfancier，ofcoursehadnomeansofknowingthat"sable"，incolliejargon，meanspracticallyeveryshadeofcolorexceptblackorgrayorwhite。
Linkwasashamedofhisowndelightinfindingheneednotgiveuphispet——evenforseventy—fivedollars。Hetriedtorecallhisfather’sinvectivesagainstdogs，andtoremindhimselfthatanothermouthtofeedonthefarmmustmeanstillsharperpovertyandskimping。Butlogiccouldnotstranglejoy，andlifetookonanewzestforthelonelyman。
BythetimeChumcouldlimparoundonthefasthealingforeleg，heandLinkhadestablishedafriendshipthatwasaboontobothandastarkastonishmenttoFerris。
Linkhadalwayslovedanimals。Hehadaninborn"way"withthem。
Yethisownintelligencehadlongsincetaughthimthathis"farmcritters"respondedbutdullytohisattemptsatamoreperfectunderstanding。
Heknew，forexample，thatthehorsehehadbredandrearedandhadtaughttocomeathiscall，woulddoubtlesssufferthefirstpassingstrangertomounthimandridehimaway，despiteanycallfromhislifelongmaster。Heknewthathispresence，tothecattleandsheep，meantonlyfoodorashiftofquarters；andthatanoutsidercoulddriveortendthemasreadilyascouldheonwhosefarmtheyhadbeenborn。Theirpossibleaffectionforhimwasahazything，basedsolelyonwhathefedthemandontheiroccasionalmildinterestinbeingpetted。
ButwithChumitwasalldifferent。Thedoglearnedquicklyhisnewmaster’smoodsandmettheminkind。ThefewsimpletricksLinksoughttoteachhimweregraspedwithbewilderingease。
TherewasahumanqualityofsympathyandcompanionshipwhichradiatedalmostvisiblyfromChum。HiskeencolliebrainwasforeveramazingFerrisbyitsflashesofperception。Thedogwasarevelationandanendlesssourceofpleasuretothehermit—farmer。
WhenChumwaswholeofhishurtandwhentheinjuredleghadknitsofirmlythatthelasttraceoflamenesswasgone，Linkfelltorecallinghisfather’spreachmentsastothehavocwroughtbydogsuponsheep。Hecouldnotaffordtolosetheleanestandtoughestofhislittlesheepflock——evenaspriceforthehappinessofowningacomrade。Linkpuzzledsorelyoverthis。
ThenonemorningitoccurredtohimtoputthematteruptoChumhimself。Hithertohehadkeptthedogaroundthehouse，exceptontheirdailywalks；andhehadalwaystiedhimwhendrivingthesheeptoorfrompasture。Thismorninghetookthecolliealongwhenhewentouttoreleasethetinyflockfromtheirbarnyardfoldandsendthemouttograze。
Linkopenedthefoldgate，onehandonChum’scollar。Outbillowedthesheepinaraggedscramble。Chumquiveredwithexcitementasthewoollycatapultssurgedpasthim。Eagerlyhelookedupintohismaster’sface，thenbackatthetumblingcreatures。
"Chum!"spokeFerrissharply。"Leave’embe!Getthat？LEAVE’EM
BE!"
Hetightenedhisholdonthecollarashegavethecommand。Chumceasedtoquiverineagernessandstoodstill，halfpuzzled，halfgrievedbytheman’sunwontedtone。
Thesheep，atsightandsmellofthedog，rushedjostlinglyfromtheirpenandscatteredineverydirection，throughbarnyardandgardenandnearerfields。Bleatingandstampeding，theyran。LinkFerrisblinkedafterthem，andbrokeintospeech。Loudlyandluridlyheswore。
Thisstampedemightwellmeananhour’srunningtoandfrobeforethescatteredflockcouldbeherdedoncemore。Anhourofpantingandblasphemouspursuit，attheveryoutsetofanoverbusyday。
Andallbecauseofoneworthlessdog。
Hisfatherhadbeenright。Linksawthat——nowthatitwastoolate。Adoghadnoplaceonafarm。Apoormancouldnotaffordthesillyluxuryofauselesspet。WithwhistleandcallFerrissoughttochecktheflightoftheflock。But，aseveryfarmerknows，thereisnothingelseonearthquitesounreasonableandidioticasascaredsheep。Thefamiliarsummonsdidnotslackennorswervethestampede。
Thefactthatthismanhadbeentheirprotectorandfriendmadenodifferencetotheidioticsheep。Theywerefrightened。And，therefore，thetenuouslythinconnectinglinebetweenthemandtheirhumanmasterhadsnapped。Forthemomenttheyweremerelywildanimals，andhewasamemberofahostilerace——almostasmuchaswasthehugedogthathadcausedtheirfright。
AwistfulwhinefromChuminterruptedLink’svolleyofswearing。
Thedoghadnotedhismaster’sangryexcitementandwasseekingtooffersympathyorhelp。
ButthereminderofChum’spresencedidnotcheckLink’swrathattheunconsciouscauseofthestampede。Heloosedhisholdonthecollar，resolvingtotakeouthisrageinanunmercifulbeatingshouldthedogseektochasethefleeingsheep。ThatwouldbeatleastanoutletfortheimpotentwrathwhichFerrissoughttowreakonsomeoneorsomething。
"Goget’emthen，ifyou’resosetonit!"hehowledatthecollie，wavingawindmillarmatthefugitives。"OnlyI’llwhaleyourmeaslyheadoffifyoudo!"
Theinvitationandthegesturethatwentwithitseemedtorousesomelong—dormantmemoryinthecollie’ssoul。Likeaflashhewasoffinflyingpursuitofthesheep。Ferris，inthecrazyragewhichpossessedhim，hopedChummightbiteatleastoneofthesenselesscreaturesthatwerecausinghimsuchawasteofprecioustimeandofgrudgedeffort。
Whereforehedidnotcallbackthefastrunningcollie。Itwouldbetimeenoughtowhalethedaylightoutofhim——yes，andtorescuehispossiblevictimsfromdeath——whenthedogshouldhaveoverhauledthewoollypests。So，indourfury，Linkwatchedthepursuitandtheflight。
Then，ofasudden，theblackrageinFerris’svisagechangedtoperplexity，andslowlyfromthattocrasswonderment。
Sixofthesheephadremainedbunchedintheirrunawaydash，whilealltheresthadscatteredsingly。ItwasafterthisbleatingsextetthatChumwasnowracing。
Nordidhestopwhenhecameupwiththem。Tearingpastthemhewheeledalmostinmidairandslackenedhispace，runningtransverselyaheadofthemandbreakingintoaclamorofbarks。
Thesix，seeingtheirfoemenacingthemfrominfront，cametoajumbledandslitheringhalt，preparingtobreaktheirformationandtoscatter。ButChumwouldnothaveitso。
Stillthreateningthemwithhisthunderousbarkhemadelittledashesatoneoranotherofthemthattriedtobreakaway；andhecrowdedbacktherest。
Asaresult，therewasbutonedirectionthedazedsheepcouldtake——thedirectionwhencetheyhadcome。And，uncertainly，shamblingly，theymadetheirwaybacktowardthefold。
ScarcehadtheybeenfairlystartedintheircowedprogresswhenChumwasoffatatangent，desertinghissixchargesandbearingdownwithexpresstrainspeedonastraywetherthathadpausedinhisescapetonibbleatalineofearlypeasinthetruckgarden。
Atsightoftheapproachingcolliethesheepflungupitsheadandbeganagaintorun。Butthedogwasinfrontofit，whicheverwaythepanic—strickenanimalturned；——ineverydirectionbutone。Andinthatdirectionfledthefugitive。NordiditstopinitsheadlongflightuntilitwasalongsidethesixwhichChumhadfirst"turned"。
PausingonlylongenoughtorounduponeortwosheepwhichwerebreakingloosefromthebunchChumwasoffagaininheadlongchaseofstillanotherandanotherandanotherstray。
LinkFerris，inblankincredulity，stoodgapingatthepicturebeforehim——staringatthetirelessswiftnessofhisdoginturningbackandroundingupascatteredflockwhichFerrishimselfcouldnothavebunchedintwentytimesthespaceofminutes。Chum，henoted，didnottouchoneofthefoolishbeasts。
Hisbarkandhiszigzagdashesservedthepurpose，withouttheaidofteethorofactualcontact。
Presently，asthedumbfoundedmangazed，thelaststraywasaddedtothemilling，bleatingbunch，andChumwasserenelytrottingtoandfro，drivingbacksuchofthesheepassoughttobreakloosefromthehuddle。Terrifiedandtrembling，butmastered，theflockcoweredmotionless。Theworkwasdone。
AsinadreamLinktumbledtowardtheprisoners。Hismindfunctioningsubconsciously，hetookuphisinterruptedtaskofdrivingthemtopasture。Themomenthesucceededingettingthemintomotiontheybrokeagain。Andagain，likeafurrywhirlwind，Chumwasencirclingthem；chasingthestraysintoplace。Hesaw，withoutbeingtold，thecoursehismasterwastaking，andhedrovehischargesaccordingly。
Thus，infarlesstimeandinbetterorderthaneverbefore，theflockreachedthericketygatewayofthestone—strewnsheeppastureandscuttledjostlinglyinthroughit。
Linkshutthegateafterthem。Then，stillinadaze，heturnedonthedog。
"Chum，"hesaidconfusedly，"itdon’tmakesensetome，notevenyet。Idon’tgetthehangofit。ButIknowthismuch：IknowyougottentimesthesensewhatI’VEgot。Whereyougotitan’howyougotitthegoodLordonlyknows。Butyou’vegotit。I——Iwasfiggerin’onlickin’you’mosttodeath，afewminutesback。
Chum。Honest，Iwas。I’mclean’shamedtolookyouinthefacewhenIthinkofit。Say!Domeafavor，Chum。IfeverIlifthandtolickyou，jes’bitemeandgivemehydrophoby。ForI’llsurebedeservin’it。Nowcomeonhome!"
Hepattedthesilkenheadofthejubilantdogashetalked，rumplingthesoftearsandstrokingthelong，blazedmuzzle。Hewassickatheartatmemoryofhisrecentmurderousrageatthiswonder—comradeofhis。
Chumwasexultantlyhappy。Hehadhadamostexhilaratingtenminutes。Thejolliestbitoffunhecouldrememberinallhistwoyearsoflife。Thesightofthosequeersheep——yes，andthescentofthem，especiallythescent——haddonequeerthingstohisbrain；hadarousedamillionsleepingancestralmemories。
Hehadunderstoodperfectlywellhismaster’sorderthatheleavethemalone。Andhehadbeendisappointedbyit。Hehimselfhadnotknownclearlywhatitwashewouldhavelikedtodotothem。
Buthehadknownheandtheyoughttohavesomesortofrelationship。Andthenatthegestureandthesnarledcommandof"Gogetthem!"somecloseddoorinChum’smindhadswungwide，and，actingonaninstincthehimselfdidnotunderstand，hehadhurledhimselfintothegaytaskofroundinguptheflock。
So，forathousandgenerationsontheScottishhills，hadChum’sancestorsearnedtheirrighttolive。Andsothroughsuccessivegenerationshadtheyimbuedtheirprogenywiththataccomplishmentuntilithadbecomeaprimalinstinct。Evenastheunbrokenpointerofthebesttypeknowsbyinstincttherudimentsofhisworkinthefieldsowillmanyacollietakeupsheepherdingbyancestraltraining。
TherehadbeennothingwonderfulinChum’sexploit。Hundredsofuntrainedcollieshavedonethesamethingontheirfirstsightofsheep。Thecravingtochaseandslaysheepisamereperversionofthisoldeninstinct；justasthedisorderly"flushing"andscatteringofbirdcoveysisaperversionofthepointerorsetterinstinct。Chum，luckilyforhimselfandforhismaster’sflock，chancedtoruntruetoforminthismatterofheredity，insteadofinheritinghistendencyintheformofatasteforsheepmurder。
Thefirstcollie，backinprehistoricdays，wasthefirstdogwiththewittoknowhismaster’ssheepapartfromallothersheep。Perhapsthatisthebest，ifleastscientific，theoryofthecollie’sorigin。
ButtoLinkFerris’sunsophisticatedeyestheachievementwasallbutsupernatural，anditdoubledhisloveforthedog。
Thatafternoon，bywayofexperiment，FerristookChumalongwhenhewenttodrivethesheepbackfrompasturetothefold。BythetimeheandthedogwerewithinahundredyardsofthepasturegateChumbegantodance，fromsheeranticipation；mincingsidewiseonthetipsofhistoesintruecolliefashion，andvaryingthedancebylittlerushesforward。
Linkopenedthecrazygate。Waitingfornofurtherencouragementthedogspedintothebroadfieldandamongthegrazingsheepthatweredistributedunevenlyovertheentireareaofthelot。
Ordinarily——unlessthesheepwerereadytocomehome——itwasamatteroftenorfifteenminuteseacheveningforLinktocollectthemandstartthemontheirway。To—day，inlessthanthreeminutes，Chumhadthewholeflockherdedandtrottingthroughtheopening，tothelaneoutside。
Nor，thistime，didthesheepfleefromhiminthesamepanicdreadasinthemorning。Theyseemedtohavelearned——ifindeedasheepcaneverlearnanything——thatChumwastheirdriver，nottheirenemy。
FromthefoldLinkasusualwenttothewoodlotwherehisfiveheadofleanmilchcattlewereatgraze。Threeofthecowswerewaitingatthebarsforhim，butoneheiferandanew—dryHolsteinwerehiddensomewhereintherecessesofthesecond—growthtimber。
Theafternoonwashot；ithadbeenahotday。Linkwastired。Hedreadedthelaborofexploringtenacresofundergrowthforhistwomissingcattle。Aninspirationcametohim。PointingtothethreestolidlywaitingcowsatthebarshewavedhisarminthegeneraldirectionofthelotandcalledonChum。
"Gofind’em!Bring’emin!"
AlmostbeforethewordswerespokenFerrisregrettedthem。Hehatedtodimthelusterofhisdog’searlierexploitsbygivinghimajobbeyondhisskill。AndthistimeChumdidnotflashforwardwithhisformerzest。Hestood，earscocked，glancinguncertainlyfromLinktothethreecowsalreadywaiting。
Then，ashestillpeereddoubtfully，oneofthebovinetriotookfrightatthedogandtrottedclumsilyawaytowardthewoods。
Linkgavechase。HehadnotgonethreestepsbeforeChumcaughttheidea。WhirlingpastFerrisheheadedoffthesurprised，indignantcow，andbydintofaflurryofbarksanddashesstartedherbacktowardthebars。
Herbelljangleddolefullyassheobeyedthenoisyurge。Andfromsomewhereamongthebushes，twohundredyardsaway，asecondcowbellsoundedinanswer。AtthisdistanttinkleChumevidentlygraspedthemeaningofhismaster’searliermandate。Forhegallopedawayinthedirectionofthesound。
Andpresently，withmuchcrashingofundergrowth，appearedtherebelliousheifer，drivenonbyChum。Afterdepositingher，sulkyandplunging，atthebars，Chumvanishedagain——inapparentresponsetoanotherfar—offbelljangle。Andinthreeminutesmorehewasbackatthebarswiththefifthcow。
"Luckyonewasaheiferan’theotheronedry!"commentedLinktothecollie，afterpettinghimandpraisinghimfortheexploit。
"I’llhavetolearnyoutodrivemilchcowseasyan’quiet。Youcan’trun’emlikeyourunsheepan’yearlin’s。Butapartfromthat，yousuredonegrand。YoucanlopoffanhouradayofmyworkifIc’nsendyoureg’larforthecritters。Thatoughttobeworththepriceofyourkeep，byitself。NowifIc’nlearnyouhowtomilkan’maybehowtomow——well，’twouldn’tbeahulllotqueerer’nthestuntsyoudoneto—day!"
ItwasperhapsaweeklaterthatLinkFerrisreceivedhisquarterlycheckfromthePatersonVegetableMarket。ThesecheckshithertohadbeenthebrightestspotsinLink’sroutine。Notonlydidthemoneyforhishard—raisedfarmproductsmeanareplenishingofthealwaysscantlarderandaneasingofthechronicfiscalstrainbetweenhimselfandtheHamptongeneralstore’sproprietor，butsometimesenoughsparecashwasleftovertoallowFerristogetverysatisfactorilydrunk。
SinceChum’sadvent，theoldgnawingoflonelinesshadnotgoadedLinktotheHamptontavern。Asaconsequence，hehadadollarortwomoreonhandthanwasusualatsuchtimes。Thiswealthwasswelledstillfurtherbythefactthataboostinvegetablepriceshadfattenedhisquarterlycheckbeyonditswontedsize。
Allthisandhislongabstinenceseemedtocallforarealcelebration。AndLinklookedforwardwithathrillofmerryanticipationtothecomingofnight。
Assoonashecouldclearawayhiseveningchoresandswallowsomesupperhefaredforthtothevillage。Thiswasgoingtobeoneofthosenightstodatetimefrom。Notamiserablehalf—jag，stoppedinmid—careerbylackoffundsandofcredit——anipped—in—the—buddebauch，suchassooftenhadsenthimhomecrankyandunsatisfiedandrailingagainstpoverty。No，thiswasgoingtobetherealthing——arecordperformance，evenforthesepre—prohibitiontimes。
Ferrisfedthecollieandshuthimintothekitchen，pendinghisownreturnfromHampton。IfLinkweregoingtobecomeblissfullyandhelplesslydrunk，ashehadeveryhopeofbeing，someonemighttakeadvantageofhisconditiontostealhispreciousdog。
ThereforeChumwasbestleftsafeathome。ThisLinkexplainedverycarefullytotheinterestedlylisteningcollie。AndChum，withheadandbrusha—droop，walkedmeeklyintothekitchenathismaster’sbehest。
Linksetoffforthevillage，happyinthefeelingthathishomewassowellguardedandthathewouldfindalovingfriendwaitingtowelcomehimonhisreturn。Whatwithreadymoneyandarealfriendandtheprospectofgettingwhole—souledlydrunktheworldwasnotsucharottenplacetoliveinafterall!
Asarule，ontheseoccasions，FerrisfirstwenttotheHamptonstore。Therehewaswonttocashhischeck，payhislongstandingbill，orderhisnewsupplies——andthen，withafreeheart，sallyforthtotheHamptontavern。Butto—night，havingmoneyinhispocketapartfromthecheck，hedecidedtopayapreliminarycallatthetavern，justbywayofwarmingup，beforegoingontothestore。
Therewerefewpeopleinthebarroomatsoearlyanhouroftheeveningandonsoearlyaneveningoftheweek。Linknoddedaffablytooneortwomenheknewandbadethemlineupatthebarwithhim。Aftertheseconddrinkhepreparedtoleave。Tothetavern’sproprietor，whowasmildlysurprisedatthebrevityofhiscall，Ferrisexplainedthathewasgoingacrosstothestoretogethischeckcashedandthathewouldbebacklater。
WhereattheproprietorkindlyofferedtosaveLinkthejourneybycashingthecheckforhim；asuggestionFerrisgladlyaccepted。
Hepassedtheindorsedcheckacrossthebarandreceivedforitacomfortablylargewadofwiltedgreenbackswhichheproceededtointernwithtendercareinaninsidepocketofhisvest，wherehemooredthemwithasafety—pin。Thenheorderedanotherdrink。
Buttothisnewordertherewasaninstantdemurrer。Twostrangers，whohadbeendrinkingatacornertable，boredownuponLinkrightlovingly；andrecalledthemselvestohismemoryascompanionsofhisonaquiteforgottendebauchofayearortwoback。
Linkdidnotatallremembereitherofthetwo。Butthenheoftenfailedtorecallpeoplehehadmetonaspree，andhedidnotliketohurtthesecordialrevelers’feelingsbydisclaimingknowledgeofthem。Especiallywhentheytoldhimmerrilythat，forthiseveningatleast，hismoneywasmadeofwoodandthathemustbetheirguest。
Neverbeforehadhemetwithsuchwholesouledhospitality。Onedrinkfollowedanotherwithgratifyingspeed。OnceortwiceFerrismadehalfheartedprofferstodosomeofthebuying。Butsuchhintsseemedtohurthishosts’feelingssocruellythatheforboreatlast，andsufferedhimselftodrinkentirelyattheirexpense。
TheyweremuchthenicestmenLinkhadevermet。Theyflatteredhim。Theylaugheduproariouslyathiseverywitticism。Theyhadageniusfornotingwhenhisglasswasempty。TheylistenedwithastonishedadmirationtohisboastfulrecitalofChum’scleverness。Oneofthem，who，itseemed，wasanexpertindoglore，toldhimhowtoteachthecollietoshakehandsandtoliedownandto"speak。"Theyweremagnificentmen，ineveryway。
Linkwasashamedtohaveforgottenhisearliermeetingswithsuchparagons。
Butthecallofdutyneverquitediesintosilence。AndfinallyLinkrememberedhehadstillhisstorebilltopayandhissuppliestoorder。Soheannouncedthathemustgo。Thestore，heknew，closedatnine。Helookedupatthebarroomclock。Butitsfacewashazyanditseemedtohaveagreatmanyhands。Therewasnousetryingtolearnthehourfromsodissoluteatimepiece。
Histwofriendspersuadedhimtohaveonemoredrink。Thentheyvolunteeredtogoacrosstothestorewithhim。Heleftthetavern，withoneofthetwowalkingoneithersideofhim。Hewasgladtobeinthecenterofthetrio；for，asthenightairstruckhim，hebecameunaccountablydizzy。Hisfriends’willingarmswereagrandsupporttohiswaveringlegs。
OntheunlightedthresholdofthetavernLinkstumbledheavilyoversomething——somethingthathadbeenlyingthereandthatsprangeagerlytowardhimashedebouchedfromthedoorway。Thereasonhestumbledoveritwasthatthecreature，whichhadboundedsorapturouslytowardhim，hadcometoasharphaltatnotinghiscondition。Thus，Ferrisstumbledoverit；andwouldhavefallenbutfortheaidofhisfriends。
Thesinglevillagestreetwaspitchblack。Notalightwastobeseen。ThispuzzledLink；whohadnomeansofknowingthatthetimewascloseonmidnight。Hestartedtowardthestore。Atleastthatwasthedirectionheplannedtotake。Butwhen，attheendoffiveminutes，hefoundhewasoutsidethevillageandonanarrowroadthatborderedthelake，hesawhisfriendshadmistakentheway。Hestoppedabruptlyandtoldthemso。
Oneofthemlaughed；asifLinkhadsaidsomethingfunny。Theotherdidsomethingquicklywithonefootandonearm。Ferris’slegswentfromunderhim。Thejarofhisfallshookfromhimafractionofhisdrunkenness，anditgavehimenoughsensetorealizethatthemanwhohadlaughedwastryingtounfastenthepinnedinnerpocketofthefallenman’svest。
NowforyearsthatpockethadbeenthesecretrepositoryofLinkFerris’ssparsewealth。Theintruder’stouchawakenedhimtoadrowsysenseofperil。Hethrustasidethefumblinghandandmadeaherculeanefforttorise。
Atthisshowofresistancehistwocomrades，asbyconcertedsignal，threwthemselvesuponhim。WithayellofangryfrightLinkcollapsedtoearthunderthedualimpact。
CHAPTERII。TheBattleHefeltoneofthemenpinionhiswavingarms，whiletheothercrouchedonhislegsandproceededtounpinthemoneypocket。
Ferrisstruggledforaninstantinfutilefury，tryingtoshoutforhelp。Thecallwasstrangledinhisthroat。Butthehelpcametohim，nonetheless。
ScarcethreesecondshadpassedsincetheattempttorobhimhadsetLinkintoactionandhadwrungfromhimthatyellofconsternation。
Butinanswercameaswirlingpatteroffeetontheroad，asnarllikeawolf’s，ashapethatcatapultedthroughthedark。Sixtypoundsoffur—swatheddynamicmusclesmoteathwarttheshouldersofthemanwhowasunfasteningthecashpocket’spin。
Theimpacthurledthefellowcleanoffhiscrouchingbalanceandsenthimsprawling，facedownward，hisoutflunghandssplashinginthemarginofthelake。Beforehecouldrolloverorsomuchasstir，asetofwhitefangsmetinhisshoulder—flesh。Andhetestifiedtohisinjurybyaneldritchscreechofpainandterrorthatechoedfaracrossthewater。
Hiscompanion，rallyingfromthemomentaryshock，leftFerrisandchargedattheprostratethief’sassailant。ButChummethim，withafierceeagerness，morethanhalfway。
Atruecollie——thankstohisstrainofwolfbloodfightsasdoesnootherdog。Whathelacksinstubborndeterminationheatonesforbyswiftnessandbyhisuncannybrainpower。
Abulldog，forexample，wouldhaveflowntohismaster’sreliefquiteasreadilyasdidChum。Butabulldogwouldhavesecuredthefirstconvenientholdandwouldhavehungontothathold，whetheritwereathisvictim’sthroatoronlyontheslackofhistrousers——untilsomeoneshouldhammerhimintosenselessness。
Chum——collie—fashion——waseverywhereatonce，usinghisbrainfarmorethanhisflyingjaws。Findingthegripinhisfoe’sshoulderdidnotpreventthemanfromtwistingroundtograpplehim，thecollieshiftedthatgripwithlightningspeed，andwithoneofhisgleamingeyeteethslashedhisopponent’shalfturnedcheekfromeyetochin。Thenheboredstraightforthejugular。
Itwasatthiscrisisthathesensed，ratherthansaw，theothermanrushingathim。Chumlefthisfallenantagonistandwhirledabouttofacethenewenemy。Ashewasstillturning，hesprangfartooneside，inbaretimetoeludeaswingingkickaimedathishead。
Then，beforethethiefcouldrecoverthebalanceendangeredbysomightyakick，thecolliehadwhirledinandsunkhisteethdeepintheman’scalf。Thebittenmanletoutaroarofpain，andsmotewildlyatthedog’sfacewithbothswingingfists。
Chumleapedbackoutofrange，andthen，withthesamebewilderingspeed，flashedinagainandburiedhiscurvedfangsinthenearestofthetwoflailingforearms。
Thefirstvictimofthecollie’sattackwasscramblingtohisfeet。SowasLinkFerris。Soberedenoughtorecognizehisbeloveddog，healsosawthenewrisenthiefcatchupabrokenfencerail，brandishitaloftandchargeuponthecollie，whowasstillbattlingmerrilywiththesecondman。
ToLinkitseemedthatnothingcouldsaveChumfromabackbreakingblowfromthehugeclub。Instinctivelyheranatthewielderoftheformidableweapon。Staggeringandsickandtwo—thirdsdrunk，Ferris，nevertheless，madevaliantefforttosavethedogthatwasfightingsogallantlyforhim。
Hislurchingrushcarriedhimacrossthenarrowroadandtothelakeedge，barelyintimetointercepttheswingingsweepofthefencerail。Itcaughthimglancinglyacrosstheside。Anditsforcecarriedhimcleanoffhisnone—too—steadyfeet。DownwentFerris——downandbackward。Hisbodyplungednoisilyintothewater。
Chumhadwheeledtofacetherail’sbrandisher。Butatsightofhismaster’ssuddenimmersioninthelake，hequittedthefray。
AttopspeedthedogclearedthebankandjumpeddownintothewaterinpursuitofFerris。
Itevidentlydawnedonbothmenatoncethattherehadbeenagooddealofnoise，forwhatwastohavebeenasilentanddecorousholdup。Alsothataragingcollieisnotapleasantfoe。
Theracketmightwelldrawinterferencefromoutside。Thedogwasoverhardtokill，andhisbitesweremurderous。Thegamehadceasedtobeworththecandle。Bycommonimpulsethepairtooktotheirheels。
LinkFerris，headdowninthecoldwater，wasstranglinginhismaudlineffortstorighthimself。Hedugbothhandsintothelake—bottommudandstrovetogainthesurface。Buttheeffortwastoomuchforhim。Asecondfranticheavehadbetterresults。
Andvaguelyheknewwhy。
ForChumhadmanagedtogetafirmholdontheshoulderofhismaster’scoat——twelveinchesunderwater——andhadbracedhimselfwithallhiswirystrengthforatugwhichshouldliftFerristothesurface。
ThisaddedleveragebarelymadeLink’sownstruggleasuccess。
Thehalf—drownedmanregainedhisfooting。Flounderingwaist—deepinwater，heclamberedupthesteeplyshelvingbanktoshore。
Thereattheroad’sedgehelay，gaspingandsputteringandfightingforbreath。
ChumhadbeenpulledunderandoutofhisdepthbyLink’sexertions。Now，comingtothesurface，heswamtoshoreandtrottedupthebanktotheroad。Absurdlylankandsmall，withhissoakingcoatplasteredclosetohisslimbody，hestoodoverhisprostratemaster。
Thedog’squickglareupanddowntheroadtoldhimhisfoesweregone。Hisincrediblesenseofhearingregisteredthefar—offpad—pad—padoffast—retreatinghumanfeet，andshowedhimthecoursethetwomenweretaking。Hewouldhavelikedtogivechase。Ithadbeenagoodfight——livelyandexcitingwithal——andChumwishedhemightcarryitintotheenemies’owncountry。
Buthisgodwaslyinghelplessathisfeetandmakingqueersoundsofdistress。Thedog’splacewashere。Thejoyofbattlemustbeforegone。
SolicitouslyChumleanedoverFerrisandsoughttolickthesufferer’sface。Ashedidsohissupersensitivenostrilsweresmittenbyanodorwhichcausedthecollietoshrinkbackinvisibledisgust。Thesickly，pungentsmellofwhiskyonFerris’slaboredbreathnauseatedChum。Hestood，headrecoiled，lookingdownatLinkinbewilderment。
Thereweremanythings，thisnight，whichChumdidnotunderstand。Firstofall，hehadbeengrievedandoffendedthatFerrisshouldhavelockedhiminthekitcheninsteadoftakinghimalongasusualonhiseveningstroll。Ithadbeenlonelyintheunlightedkitchen。Linkhadnotorderedthedogtostaythere。HehadsimplyshutChuminandlefthim。
So，tiringatlastofsolitude，thecolliehadleapedlightlyoutofthenearestwindow。Thewindowhadbeenopen。ItsthinmosquitonetcoveringhadnotservedintheleastasadeterrenttothedepartingChum。
Topickuphismaster’strail——andtoholdtoitevenwhenitmergedwithascoreofothersattheedgeofthevillage——hadbeenabsurdlysimple。Thetrailhadledtoahousewithcloseddoors。So，aftercirclingthetaverntofindifhismasterhadgoneoutbyanyotherexit，ChumhadcurledhimselfpatientlyonthedoorstepandhadwaitedforLinktoemerge。
Severalpeoplehadcomeinandoutwhilehelaythere。Butallofthemhadshutthedoortoosoonforhimtoslipinside。
AtlastFerrishadappearedbetweenhistwonewfriends。Chumhadbeenfriskilyhappytoseehislong—absentgodagain。HehadsprungforwardtogreetLink。Then，hisoddcolliesensehadtoldhimthatforsomereasonthisstaggeringandhiccupingcreaturewasnotthemasterwhomheknewandloved。ThismanwasstrangelydifferentfromtheLinkFerriswhomChumknew。
Puzzled，thedoghadhaltedandhadstoodirresolute。Ashestoodthere，Ferrishadstumbledheavilyoverhim，hurtingthecollie’sribsandhistenderflesh；andhadmeanderedonwithoutsomuchasawordoralookforhispet。
Chum，stillirresoluteandbewildered，hadfollowedatadistancetheswayingprogressofthetrio，untilLink’syellandtheattackhadbroughthiminfurioushastetoFerris’srescue。
Linkpresentlyrecoveredenoughofhisbreathtoenablehimtomove。Theduckinginicywaterhadclearedhisbemusedbrain。
Approximatelysober，hegottohisfeetandstoodswayinganddazed。Asherose，hisgropinghandclosedoversomethingcoldandhardthathadfallentothegroundbesidehim。Andherecognizedit。Sohepickeditupandstuckitintohispocket。
Itwasapintflaskofwhisky——onehehadreceivedasafarewellgiftfromhistwofriendsasthethreehadleftthetavern。Ithadbeenaneasygiftforthementomake。Fortheywereconfidentlycertainofrecoveringitafewminuteslaterwhentheyshouldgothroughtheirvictim’sclothes。DawningintelligencetoldLinkhehadnotcomethroughtheadventureverybadly，afterall——thankstoChum。Ferriswellunderstoodnowwhythethieveshadpickedacquaintancewithhimatsightofhismoney，andwhytheyhadgottenhimdrunk。
Thememoryofwhathehadescapedgavehimanewqualmofnausea。
Thelossofhiscashwouldhavemeantsuspendedcreditatthestoreandtheleanestthreemonthshehadeverknown。
Butsoonthejoyinhistriumphwipedoutthisthought。
ThenativeNorthJerseymountaineerhasapeculiarveinofcunningwhichmakeshimmorbidlyeagertogetthebestofanyoneatall——evenifthevictorybringshimnothingworthwhile。
LinkFerrishadhadaneveningoflimitlessliquor。Hestillhadapintofwhiskytotakehome。Andithadcosthimnotacent，exceptforhisfirsttworoundsofdrinks。
Hehadhadhisspree。Hestillhadallhischeckmoney。Andhehadaflaskofwhisky。True，hehadbeenroughlyhandled。Andhehadhadaduckinginthelake。Butthosewerehissoleliabilities。Theywereinsignificantbycomparisontohisassets。
Hegrinnedinsmugself—gratulation。ThenhiseyefellonChum，standingtenfeetaway，lookinguncertainlyathim。
Chum!ToChumheoweditall!Heowedthedoghismoney，perhapshisverylife。Yes——asherehearsedthestruggletogetoutofthelake——heowedthecolliehislifeaswellashisvictoryovertheholdupmen。ToChum!
AgreatwaveofloveandgratitudesurgedupinFerris。Hehadasloppilyidioticyearningtothrowhisarmsaboutthedog’sfurryneckandkisshim。Buthesteadiedhimselfandchirpedtothecollietocomenearer。Slowly，withqueerreluctance，Chumobeyed。
"Listen，"mumbledLinkincoherently，"IsavedyoufromdyingfromabustlegandhungerthenightIfustmetyou，Chummie。An’
tonightyousquaredthebillbysavingmefromdrownin’。ButI’mstillawholelotinyourdebt，friend。Ioweyouforallthecashinmypocketan’——an’forapintoftheStuffthatKilledFather——an’——an’maybeforabeatin’thatmightofkilledme。