Women，foronething，donotusuallysmokedozensofrankcigarsdailyforyears，untiltheirfleshispermeatedwiththesmelloftobacco。Ahumancouldnothavedetectedsuchasmell——suchaMAN-smell，——onthepersonwhohadchirpedtoBruce。Anydog，twentyfeetaway，wouldhavenoticedit，andwouldhavetabulatedthewhite-cladmasqueraderasaman。Nordoawoman'shairandskincarrythefaintbutunmistakableodorofbarracksandoftent-lifeandofmartialequipment，asdidthisman's。Themasqueraderwasevidentlynotonlyamanbutasoldier。
Dogs，——high-strungdogs，——donotliketohavetricksplayedonthem；leastofallbystrangers。Bruceseemedtotakethenurse-disguiseasapersonalaffronttohimself。Then，too，themanwasnotofhisownarmy。Onthecontrary，thescentproclaimedhimoneofthehordewhomBruce'sfriendssomanifestlyhated——oneofthebreedthathadmorethanoncefiredonthedog。
DietandequipmentandothercausesgiveaGermansoldieramarkedlydifferentscent，todogs'miraculouslykeennostrils，——
andtothoseofcertainhumans，——fromtheFrenchorBritishorAmericantroops。Warrecordsprovethis。Oncehavinglearnedthescent，andhavinglearnedtodetestit，Brucewasnottobedeceived。
Forallthesereasonshehadsnarledloathinglyatthemaninwhite。Forthesesamereasonshecouldnotreadilyforgettheincident，butcontinuedeverynowandthentoglancecuriouslyacrosstowardthechurch。
Presently，——notrelishingtherebukesofthefriendswhohadheretoforepesteredhimbyovermuchpetting，——thecolliearosequietlyfromhiscouchoftrampledearthatthefootofthestonebenchandstrolledbackacrossthestreet。Mostofthemenweretoobusy，talking，tonoteBruce'sdeparture。ButSergeantMahancaughtsightofhimjustasthedogwasmountingthelastofthestepsleadingintothechurch。
Asarule，whenBrucewentinvestigating，hewalkedcarelesslyandwithhistailslightlya-wag。Nowhistailwasstiffasanicicle，andhemovedwarily，onthetipsofhistoes。Histawny-
manedneckwaslow。Mahan，understandingdogs，didnotlikethecollie'sdemeanor。Rememberingthatthenursehadenteredthechurchafewminutesearlier，theSergeantgottohisfeetandhastilyfollowedBruce。
Thedog，meanwhile，hadpassedthroughthecrazilysplintereddoorwayandhadpausedonthethresholdoftheimprovisedhospital，asthereekofiodoformandofcarbolicsmoteuponhissensitivenostrils。Infrontofhimwasthestone-pavedvestibule。Beyondwastheinterioroftheshatteredchurch，linednowwithdoublerowsofcots。
Seatedonacamp-chairintheshadowyvestibulewasthepseudoRedCrossnurse。Atsightofthecolliethenursegotupinsomehaste。Bruce，stillwalkingstiff-legged，drewcloser。
Outfromunderthewhiteskirtflashedacapableandsolidly-
shodfoot。Inaswingingkick，thefootletdriveattheoncomingdog。BeforeBrucecoulddodgeorcouldsomuchasguesswhatwascoming，——thekicksmotehimwithagonizingforce，squareontheshoulder。
Toaspiritedcollie，akickcarriesmorethanthemerepainofitsinflicting。Itisagrosslyunforgivableaffrontaswell——asmanyatrampandthiefhavelearned，athighcost。
Bythetimethekickhadfairlylanded，Brucehadrecoveredfromhisinstantofincreduloussurprise；andwithlightningswiftnesshehurledhimselfathisassailant。
Nobarkorgrowlheraldedthemurderousthroatlunge。Itwasallthemoreterribleforthenoiselessnesswherewithitwasdelivered。Themasqueradingmansawitcoming，justtoolatetoguardagainstit。Helurchedbackward，belatedlythrowingbothhandsuptodefendhisthroat。Itwastheinvoluntarybackwardstepwhichsavedhisjugular。Forhisheelcaughtinthehemofhiswhiteskirt。Andwhollyoffbalance，hepitchedheadlongtothefloor。
Thisjerkyshiftofposition，onthepartofthefoe，spoiledBruce'saim。Hisfearfuljawssnappedtogetherharmlesslyinemptyairataspotwhere，afractionofasecondearlier，theother'sthroathadbeen。Downcrashedthedisguisedman。Andatopofhimthefuriousdoghurledhimself，seekingasecondtimethethroatgriphehadsonarrowlymissed。
AtthispointontheprogramSergeantMahanarrivedjustintimetoburybothhandsinthemassofBruce'sfurryruffandtodragthesnarlinglyrabiddogbackfromhisprey。
Theplacewasinanuproar。Nursesanddoctorscamerushingoutintothevestibule；sickandwoundedmensatupontheircotsandeagerlycranedtheirneckstocatchsightofthescrimmage。
Soldiersraninfromthestreet。
Strongashewas，MahanhadbothhandsfullinholdingthefranticBrucebackfromhisenemy。Undertheinsultofthekickfromthismasquerader，whomhehadalreadyrecognizedasafoe，thecolliehadtemporarilylosteveryvestigeofhisstatelydignity。Hewasforthemomentmerelyawildbeast，seekingrevengeforabrutalinjury。HewrithedandfoughtinMahan'sgrasp。Neveroncedidheseektoattackthestrugglingmanwhoheldhim。Buthestrainedeverygiantsinewtogetatthefoewhohadkickedhim。
Thedog'sopponentscrambledtohisfeet，helpedbyadozenwillinghandsandaccostedbyasmanysolicitousvoices。Thevictim'sfacewasbone-graywithterror。Hislipstwitchedconvulsively。Yet，asbefittedapersoninhisposition，hehadasplendidsetofnerves。Andalmostatonceherecoveredpartialcontroloverhimself。
"I——Idon'tknowhowithappened，"hefaltered，hisrichcontraltovoiceshakywiththeground-swellsofhisrecentshock。
"ItbeganwhenIwassittingonthesteps，sewing。Thisdogcamepast。HegrowledatmesothreateninglythatIcameindoors。A
minutelater，whileIwassittingheresewing，hesprangatmeandthrewmedown。Ibelievehewould——wouldhavekilledme，"thenarratorfinished，withaverygenuineshudder，"ifIhadnotbeenrescuedwhenIwas。Suchbloodthirstybrutesoughttobeshot！"
"HenotonlyOUGHTtobe，"hotlyagreedthechiefsurgeon，"butheisGOINGtobe。Takehimoutintothestreet，oneofyoumen，andputaballinhishead。"
Thesurgeonturnedtothepantingnurse。
"You'recertainhedidn'thurtyou？"heasked。"Idon'twantanewcomer，likeyourself，tothinkthisistheusualtreatmentournursesget。Liedownandrest。Youlookscaredtodeath。Anddon'tbenervousaboutthecurattackingyouagain。He'llbedeadinsideofthreeminutes。"
Thenurse，withamumbledwordofthanks，scuttledoffintotherearofthechurch，wherethetumbledownvestryhadbeenfittedupasadormitory。
BrucehadcalmeddownsomewhatunderMahan'ssharpreproof。Buthenowstruggledafreshtogetathisvanishedquarry。AndagaintheSergeanthadatussletoholdhim。
"Idon'tknowwhat'sgotintothebigfellow！"exclaimedMahantoVivierastheoldFrenchmanjoinedthetumultuousgroup。"He'sgonecleandaft。He'dofkilledthatpoorwoman，ifIhadn't——"
"Gethimoutofhere！"orderedthesurgeon。"Andclearout，yourselves，allofyou！Thisrumpushasprobablysetalotofmypatients'temperaturestorocketing。Takethecuroutandshoothim！"
"Excuseme，sir，"spokeupMahan，asVivierstaredaghastatthemanwhocommandedBruce'sdestruction，"buthe'snocur。He'sacourier-collie，officiallyintheserviceoftheUnitedStatesGovernment。Andhe'sthebestcourier-doginFranceto-day。Thisis——"
"Idon'tcarewhatheis！"ragedthesurgeon。"He——"
"ThisisBruce，"continuedMahan，"thedogthatsavedthe'Here-
We-Comes'atRache，andthatsteeredadetailofustosafetyonenightinthefog，intheChateau-Thierrysector。Ifyouorderanymanofthe'Here-We-Comes'toshootBruce，you'reliabletohaveamutinyonyourhands——officerornoofficer。Butifyouwish，sir，IcantransmityourordertotheK。O。Ifheendorsesit——"
Butthesurgeonsought，atthatmoment，tosavetheremnantsofhisdignityandofabadsituationbystalkingloftilybackintothehospital，andleavingMahaninthemiddleofhisspeech。
"Or，sir，"theSergeantgrinninglycalledafterhim，"youmightwritetotheGeneralCommanding，andtellhimyouwantBruceshot。TheBigDogalwayssleepsinthegeneral'sownroom，whenhe'soff-duty，atDivisionHeadquarters。MaybethegeneralwillO。K。hisdeath-sentence，ifyouaskhimto。He——"
Somewhatquickeninghisstatelystride，thesurgeonpassedoutofearshot。Attheofficers'messofthe"Here-We-Comes，"hehadoftenheardBruce'spraisessung。Hehadneverchancedtoseethedoguntilnow。But，beneathhisarmorofdignity，hequakedtothinkwhattheresultstohimselfmusthavebeen，hadheobeyedhisfirstimpulseofdrawinghispistolandshootingtheadoredandpricelesslyusefulcollie。
Mahan，——stolidlyrejoicinginhisvictoryoverthetop-loftypotentatewhomhedisliked，——ledthewayoutofthecrowdedvestibuleintothestreet。BrucefolloweddemurelyathisheelsandVivierbombardedeverybodyinsightforinformationastowhatthewholefracaswasabout。
Brucewashimselfagain。Nowthatthedetestedmaninwoman'sclotheshadgoneaway，therewasnosenseincontinuingtostruggleortowasteenergyinashowoffury。Nevertheless，inhisbigheartburneddeathlesshatredtowardtheGermanwhohadkickedhim。And，likeanelephant，acollieneverforgets。
"But，"Vivierwasdemandingofeverybody，"butwhyshouldthegentleBrucehaveattackedagoodnurse？Itisnotwhatyoucall'make-sense。'C'estungentilhomme，cevieux！HewouldnotattackawomanlessstillasisteroftheRedCross。He——"
"Ofcoursehewouldn't，"glumlyassentedthedownheartedMahan。
"ButheDID。That'stheanswer。Isawhimdoit。Heknockedherdownand——"
"Whichnursewasshe？"askedasoldierwhohadcomeupafterthetroublewasover。
"Anewonehere。Idon'tknowhername。Shecamelastweek。Isawherwhenshegothere。IwasondutyattheK。O。'sofficewhenshereported。Shehadaletterfromsomeoneonthesurgeon-
general'sstaff。ButwhyBruceshouldhavegoneforherto-day——
orforanywoman——ismorethanIcansee。Shewasscaredhalftodeath。It'sluckysheheardthesurgeonorderhimshot。She'llsupposehe'sdead，bynow。Andthat'llcureherscare。WemusttrytokeepBruceawayfromthisendofthestreettillhegoesbacktoheadquartersto-morrow。"
AsaresultBrucewascoaxedtoMahan'scompany-shedandbydintoffood-giftsandpettingwasinducedtospendmostofthedaythere。
AtsunsetBrucetiredofhisdullsurroundings。Mahanhadgoneonduty；sohadVivier；sohadothersofhisfriends。Thedogwasboredandlonely。Alsohehadeatenmuch。Andawalkisgood，notonlyforloneliness，butforsettlinganoverfullstomach。Brucedecidedtogoforawalk。
Throughtheirregularstreetofthevillagehepickedhisway，andontowardtheopencountrybeyond。Asentryortwosnappedfingersofgreetingtohimashestrolledpastthem。Thefolkofthevillageeyedhisbulkandgracefuldignitywithsomethinglikeawe。
Beyondthehamlettheridgeofhilltopranonforperhapsaquarter-milebeforedippingintotheplainbelow。Atoneendofthislittleplateauacompanyofinfantrywasdrilling。BrucerecognizedMahanamongthemarchinglines，buthesawhisfriendwasondutyandrefrainedfromgoinguptohim。
Above，thesunsetskywascloudless。Liketinyspecks，milestoeastward，afewenemyairshipscircledabovetheheapofclusteredhillswhichmarkedthenearestGermanposition。Thetorn-upplain，between，seemedbarrenoflife。So，atfirst，didthefartherendofthejuttingridgeonwhichthevillagewasperched。ButpresentlyBruce'sidlywanderingeyewascaughtbyaflutterofwhiteamongsomebouldersthatclumpedtogetherontheridge'sbrowfarthestfromthevillage。
Someone——awoman，fromthedress——wasapparentlypickingherwaythroughtheboulders。AsBrucemovedforward，abigrockshutherofffromhisviewandfromtheviewofthehamletandofthemaneuveringinfantrycompanyafurlongaway。
Justthenapuffofbreezeblewfromeastwardtowardthecollie；
anditboretohimafaintscentthatsethisruffa-bristleandhissoftbrowneyesablaze。Toadog，ascentoncesmelledisasrecognizableagainasisthesightofaonce-seenfacetoahuman。Brucesetoffatahand-galloptowardtheclumpofboulders。
TheRedCrossnurse，whomBrucehadsonearlykilled，wasoffdutyuntilthenight-shiftshouldgoonatthehospital。Thenursehadtakenadvantageofthisbriefsurceasefromtoil，bygoingforalittlewalkinthecoolsunsetair，andhadcarriedalongabagofsewing。
UptothreemonthsagothisnursehadbeenknownasHeinrichStolz，andhadbeenavaluedmemberoftheWilhelmstrasse'sworkingforceofsecretagents。Then，actingunderorders，HerrHeinrichStolzhadvanishedfromhisaccustomedhaunts。SoonthereafteraRedCrossnurse——FeliciaStuartbynamehadreportedfordutyatParis，havingbeentransferredthitherfromItaly，andbearingindubitablecredentialstothateffect。
Fromcarefullypicked-upinformationStolzhadjustlearnedoftheexpectedarrivalofthethreetroop-trainsatthejunctionatninethatevening。Thetidingshadinterestedhimkeenly，andheknewofotherpeopletowhomtheywouldbefarmoreinteresting。
Seatinghimselfundertheleeoftheeasternmostrock，Stolzprimlyopenedhissewing-baganddrewforthvarioustorngarments。Thegarmentswereforthemostpartwhite，butoneortwowereofgaudycolors。
Bywayofprecaution，incaseofdiscovery，thespythreadedaneedle。Thus，ifanyoneshouldchancetoseehimshakeoutagarment，preparatorytolayingitonhiskneeandmendingit，therecouldbenoreasonablecauseforsuspicion。HerrStolzwasnothingifnotefficient。
Hehelduptheneedleandpokedthethreadatitseyeintrulyfemininefashion。
Hehadjustfinishedthisfeatofdexteritywhenhechancedtolookupfromhisworkatsoundoffast-patteringfeet。Notthirtyfeetaway，chargingheadonathim，rushedthegreatbrown-and-
whitecolliehesupposedhadbeenshot。
Withajumpofabjectterror，HerrStolzsprangup。Mingledwithhisnormalfearofthedogwasatingeofsuperstitiousdread。Hehadbeensocertainthebeastwasshot！Thedoctorhadgiventheorderforhiskilling。Thedoctorwasacommissionedofficer。
Stolz'sGermanmindcouldnotgraspthepossibilityofasoldierdisobeyinganofficer'simperativecommand。
Thecolliewasuponhimbythetimethespygainedhisfeet。
Stolzreachedfranticallyunderhisdress-foldsforthedeadlylittlepistolthathealwayskeptthere。Buthewasstillanoviceinthemysteriesoffeminineapparel。And，beforehisfingerscouldcloseontheweapon，Bruce'sbaredfangsweregleamingathisthroat。
Stolzceasedtosearchfortheweapon。And，asbefore，hethrewupbothfrantichandstowardoffthefuriousjaws。
Hewasbarelyintime。Bruce'swhiteteethdrovedeepintothespy'sforearm，andBruce'seightypoundsoffurrymuscularbulksmoteStolzfullinthechest。Downwentthespy，undertheterrificimpact，sprawlingwildlyonhisback，andfightingwithbothbleedinghandstopushbackthedog。
Bruce，collie-fashion，didnotsticktoonegrip，butbitandslashedadozentimesinthreeseconds，tearingandrendinghiswaytowardthethroat-holdhecraved；drivingthroughfleshofhandsandofforearmstowardhisgoal。
LikemanyanotherGerman，Stolzwasfarmoreadeptatcausingpainthanatenduringit。Also，frombirth，hehadhadanunconquerablefearofdogs。Hisnerves，too，werenotyetrecoveredfromBruce'sattackearlierintheday。Allthis，andthespectralsuddennessoftheonslaught，robbedhimofeveryatomofhisusualstonyself-control。
SergeantMahanwasagoodsoldier。Yetaminuteearlierhehadalmostruinedhisreputationassuch。Hehadbeenhardputtoittorefrainfromleavingtheranksofhisdrillingcompany，afurlongfromtherocks，andrunningatrecordspeedtowardtheboulders。Forhehadseenthesupposednursepassthatway。AndalmostdirectlyafterwardhehadseenBrucefollowherthither。
Andhecouldguesswhatwouldhappen。
Luckilyforthesakeofdiscipline，theorderof"Breakranks！"
wasgivenbeforeMahancoulddisgracehimselfbysuchunmartialbehavior。And，ontheinstant，theSergeantbrokeintoaruninthedirectionoftherocks。
Wonderingathiseccentricaction，severalofthesoldiersfollowed。Thecompanycaptain，atsightofaknotofhismendashingatbreakneckspeedtowardtheboulders，startedatamoreleisurelypaceinthesamedirection。
Mahanhadreachedtheedgeoftherockswhenhisearsweregreetedbyayellofmortalfear。Thecaptainandtherest，catchingthesound，wentfaster。Screechafterscreechrangfromtherockyenclosure。
Mahanroundedthebigboulderatthecrestoftheridgeandflunghimselfuponthetwocombatants，astheythrashedaboutinatumultuousdualmassontheground。AndjustthenBruceatlastfoundhisgriponStolz'sthroat。
AstoicalGermansignal-corpsofficer，onahilltopsomemilestoeastward，laidasidehisfield——glassandcalmlyremarkedtoamanathisside"Wehavelostagoodspy！"
SuchwasthesoleepitaphandeulogyofHerrHeinrichStolz，fromhisarmy。
Meantime，SergeantMahanwaspryingloosethecollie'sferociousjawsfromtheirpreyandwastuggingwithallhismighttodragthedogofftheshriekingspy。Thethroat-hold，henoted，wasabareinchfromthejugular。
Therestofthesoldiers，rushinguppell-mell，helpedhimpulltheinfuriatedBrucefromhisvictim。Thespectacleoftheiradmireddog-hero，somurderouslymaulingawomanoftheRedCross，dazedthemwithhorror。
"TakehimAWAY！"bellowedStolz，deliriouswithpainandfear。
"He'sKILLEDme——dergottverdammteTeufelhund！"
Andnowthecrazedvictim'sunconscioususeofGermanwasnotneededtotelleveryonewithinhearingjustwhoandwhathewas。
Forthequaveringtoneswerenolongerarichcontralto。Theywereathroatybaritone。AndtheaccentwasTeutonic。
"Bruce！"observedTop-SergeantMahannextmorning，"I'vealwayssaidamanwhokicksadogismoreofacurthanthedogis。Butyou'llneverknowhownearIcametokickingyouyesterday，whenIcaughtyoumanglingthatfilthyspy。AndBrucie，ifIhadkickedyou，well——I'dbeprayingatthisminutethatthegoodLordwouldgrowathirdlegonme，sothatIcouldkickmyselfallthewayfromheretoBerlin！"
CHAPTERVI。TheWerewolfWhenBruceleftthequietpeaceofThePlaceforthehelloftheWesternFront，ithadbeenstipulatedbytheMistressandtheMasterthatifeverheweredisabled，heshouldbeshippedbacktoThePlace，attheirexpense。
ItwasastipulationmaderathertosoothetheMistress'ssorrowatpartingfromherlovedpetthaninanyhopethatitcouldbefulfilled；fortheaveragelifeofacourierdogonthebattle-
frontwastragicallyshort。Andhisfatewasmorethanordinarilycertain。Ifthebochebulletsandshrapnelhappenedtomisshim，therewerecountlessdiseases——bredoftrenchandofhardshipandofabominablefood——tokillhim。
TheRedCrossappealraisedcountlessmillionsofdollarsandbroughtrescuetoinnumerablehumanwarriors。Butincaringforhumans，thegenerosityofmostgiversreacheditslimit；andtheBlueCross——"forthereliefofdogsandhorsesinjuredintheserviceoftheAllies"——wasforcedtotakewhatitcouldget。Yetmanyaman，andmanyabodyofmen，owedlifeandsafetytotheheroismofsomewar-dog，adogwhichsurelymeritedspecialcarewhenitsowncertainhourofagonystruck。
Bruce'swarmestoverseasfriendsweretobefoundintheranksofthemixedFranco-Americanregiment，nicknamedthe"Here-We-Comes。"Rightgallantly，inmorethanonetightplace，hadBrucebeenofusetothe"Here-We-Comes。"Onhisofficialvisitstotheregiment，hewasalwaysreceivedwithajoyouswelcomethatwouldhaveturnedanyheadlesssteadythanathoroughbredcollie's。
Bruceenjoyedthistreatment。Heenjoyed，too，thefood-daintieswherewiththe"Here-We-Comes"pliedhim。ButtonomaninthearmywouldhegivetheadoringpersonalloyaltyhehadleftatThePlacewiththeMistressandtheMaster。Thosetwowerestillhisonlygods。AndhemissedthemandhissweetlifeatThePlacemostbitterly。Yethewastoogoodasoldiertomope。
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Formonthsthe"Here-We-Comes"hadbeenquarteredina"quiet"——oronlyoccasionallytumultuous——sector，nearChateau-Thierry。Thenthecomparativequietallatonceturnedtopandemonium。
Alankyanddegenerateyouth（whobeforethewarhadbeenunlovinglyknownthroughoutEuropeasthe"WhiteRabbit"andwhonowwasmentionedindispatchesasthe"CrownPrince"）hadsucceededinleadingsomehalf-millionfellow-Germansintoa"pocket"thathadlatelybeenmerelyasalient。
Fromthethreelowersidesofthepocket，theAlliesecstaticallyflungthemselvesupontheirtrappedfoesinalaudableefforttocrushthehalf-millionbochesandtheirrabbit-facedprincelingintosurrenderbeforethelattercouldgetoutofthesnare，andtotheshelterofthehighgroundandthereenforcementsthatlaybehindit。TheGermansobjectedmoststrenuouslytothiscrushingprocess。Andthethreebeleaguerededgesofthepocketbecameatriple-sectionofhell。
Itwasaperiodwhennoone'snerveswereinanydegreenormal——
leastofallthenervesoftheeternallyhammeredGermans。EventhefiercelyadvancingFranco-Americans，the"Here-We-Comes，"hadlostthegrimlyhumorouscomposurethathadbeentheirs，andwaxedsullenandferociousintheireagerness。
ThusitwasthatBrucemissedhiswontedlyuproariouswelcomeashecantered，atsunsetoneJulyday，intoasmashedfarmsteadwherehisfriends，the"Here-We-Comes，"werebivouackedforthenight。Byinstinct，thebigdogseemedtoknowwheretofindthetemporaryregimentalheadquarters。
Hetrottedpastasentry，intoanunroofedcattle-shedwherethecolonelwasbusilyscribblingadetailedreportoftheworkdonebythe"Here-We-Comes"duringthatday'sdrive。
Comingtoahaltbythecolonel'sside，Brucestoodexpectantlywagginghisplumytailandwaitingforthefoldedmessagefromdivisionheadquarterstobetakenoffhiscollar。
Usually，onsuchvisits，thecolonelmademuchofthedog。To-dayhemerelyglancedupabstractedlyfromhiswriting，atsightofBruce'ssilkenheadathisside。Heunfastenedthemessage，readit，frownedandwentonwithhisreport。
Brucecontinuedtowaghistailandtolookupwistfullyforthewontedpettingandwordofcommendation。Butthecolonelhadforgottenhisexistence。Sopresentlythecollieweariedofwaitingforacaressfromamanwhosecaresses，atbest，hedidnotgreatlyvalue。Heturnedandstrolledoutoftheshed。Hismessagedelivered，heknewhewasatlibertytoamusehimselfashemightchooseto，untilsuchtimeashemustcarrybacktohisgeneralareplytothedispatchhehadbrought。
Fromoutsidecamethevoicesoftiredandloungingsoldiers。A
travelingkitchenhadjustbeensetupnearby。Fromitaroseablendofsmellsthatweremightytemptingtoahealthilyhungrydog。Thither，atadecorousbutexpectantpace，Brucebenthissteps。
Top-SergeantMahanwasgazingwithsolicitousinterestuponthetoilofthecooksatthewheeledkitchen。Besidehim，sharinghisconcerninthesupperpreparations，wasMahan'sclosestcrony，oldSergeantVivier。ThewizenedlittleFrenchman，asaboy，hadbeeninthesurrenderofSedan。Nightly，eversince，hehadbesoughtthesaintstogivehim，someday，atinyshareintheavengingofthatblackdisgrace。
MahanandVivierwerethewarmestofBruce'smanyadmirersinthe"Here-We-Comes。"Ordinarilyadualwhoopofjoyfromthemwouldhavegreetedhisadvent。Thisafternoontheymerelychirpedabstractedlyathim，andMahanpattedhimcarelesslyontheheadbeforereturningtotheinspectionofthecookingfood。
Sinceanhourbeforedawn，bothmenhadbeeninhotaction。Thecommandforthe"Here-We-Comes"toturnasideandbivouacforthenighthadbeenasharpdisappointmenttothem，aswellastoeveryunwoundedmanintheregiment。
Whenagamblerisinthemiddleofawinningstreak，whenanathletefeelshehastheraceinhisownhands，whenabusinessmanhasallbutclosedthedealthatmeansfortunetohim——atsuchcrisesitismaddeningtobehaltedattheveryvergeoftriumph。Buttosoldierswho，aftermonthsofreverses，atlasthavetheirhatedfoeontherun，suchacheckdoesoddthingstotemperandtonerves。
Insuchplightwerethemenofthe"Here-We-Comes，"onthislateafternoon。MahanandVivierweretooseasonedandtoosanetogivewaytotheburstsoftemperandtheswirlsofblasphemythatswayedsomanyoftheircomrades。Neverthelesstheywereglumandsilentandhadnoheartforjollywelcomings，——eventosodearafriendasBruce。
Experiencetoldthemthatasquaremealwouldworkmiraclesinthewayofcalmingandbracingthem。Hence，apartfromstarkhunger，theirinterestinthecookingofsupper。
Brucewastoomuchaphilosopher——andnotdevotedenoughtohissoldierfriends——tobehurtatthelackofwarmthinthegreeting。Withtheairofanepicure，hesniffedatthecontentsofoneofthekitchen'sbubblingkettles。Thenhewalkedoffandcurledhimselfcomfortablyonapileofbedding，theretorestuntilsuppershouldbeready。
Severaltimes，ashelaythere，soldierspassedandrepassed。Oneortwoofthemsnappedtheirfingersatthedogorevenstooped，inpassing，tostrokehishead。Butonthefacesofallofthemwasunrestandacertainwolfisheagerness，whichprecludedplayingwithpetsatsuchatime。Thehotzestoftheman-huntwasuponthem。Itwasgnawingintheveinsofthenewestrecruit，ever，asintheheartoftheusuallyself-containedcoloneloftheregiment。
Thecolonel，infact，hadbeensocarriedawaybythejoyofseeinghismendrivethehatedgraycoatsbeforethemthatdaythathehadoversteppedthespiritofhisownordersfromthedivisioncommander。
Inbrief，hehadmadenoeffortto"dress"hiscommand，intheadvance，upontheregimentstoeithersideofit。Asaresult，whenthesignaltobivouacforthenightwasgiven，the"Here-We-
Comes"weresomethinglikeamileaheadoftheregimentwhichshouldhavebeenattheirimmediateright，andnearlytwomilesinfrontofthebrigadeattheirleft。
Inotherwords，the"Here-We-Comes"nowoccupiedasalientoftheirown，aheadoftherestoftheFrancoAmericanline。Itwasinrebukeforthisbitofgoodprogressandbadtacticsthatthedivisioncommanderhadwrittentothecolonel，inthedispatchwhichBrucehadbrought。
Germanairmen，sailingfarabove，anddodgingasbesttheycouldthechargesoftheAllied'planes，hadjustnotedthatthe"Here-
We-Comes""salient"wasreallynosalientatall。Sofarhaditadvancedthat，forthemoment，itwasoutoftouchwiththerestofthedivision。Itwas，indeed，inanexcellentpositiontobecutoffanddemolishedbyadashingnightattack。AndareporttothiseffectwasdeliveredtoafuminglydistractedGermanmajorgeneral，whoyearnedforachancetoatoneinsomewayfortheday'sshamefulreverses。
"Iftheyhadn'thaltedusandmadeuscallitaday，justasweweregettingintoourstride，"loudlygrumbledoneYankeeprivatetoanotherasthetwoclumpeduptothekitchen，"we'dhavebeeninFere-en-Tardenoisbynow。Whatlazyguyisrunningthisdrive，anyhow？"
"ThesamelazyguythatwillstickyouintothehoosgowforinsubordinationandleaveyoutodoyourbittherewhiletherestofusstrollontoBerlin！"snappedTop-SergeantMahan，wheelinguponthegrumbler。"Tillyoulearnhowtoobeyorderswithoutgrouching，itisn'tuptoyoutoknockwisermen。Shutup！"
ThoughMahan'stoneofreproofwasprofessionallyharsh，hisspiritwasnotinhiswords。Andthesilencedprivateknewit。Heknew，too，thatthetop-sergeantwasassavageovertheearlyhaltasweretherestofthemen。
Bruce，asarule，whenhehonoredthe"Here-We-Comes"withavisit，spentthebulkofhistimewithMahanandoldVivier。Butto-dayneitherofthesefriendswasaninspiringcompanion。NorweretherestofBruce'sacquaintancesdisposedtofriendliness。
Wherefore，assoonassupperwaseaten，thedogreturnedtohisheapofbedding，forthehourorsooflazinesswhichNatureteachesallherchildrentodemand，afterafullmeal，——andwhichtheso-called"dumb"animalsaloneareintelligentenoughtotake。
DuskhadmergedintonightwhenBrucegottohisfeetagain。Tapshadjustsounded。Thetiredmengladlyrolledthemselvesintotheirblanketsandfellintoadeadsleep。Asentry-reliefsetforthtoreplacethefirstbatchofsentinelswiththesecond。
Mahanwasoftheparty。Thoughthetopsergeanthadbeenastupidcomrade，thusfarto-day，hewasnowevidentlygoingforawalk。
Andeventhoughitwasaduty-walk，yettheideaofitappealedtothedogafterhislonginaction。
SoBrucegotupandfollowed。Ashecamealongsidethestifflymarchingtop-sergeant，thecolliesofarsubverteddisciplineastothrusthisnose，infriendlygreeting，intoMahan'sslightlycuppedpalm。Andthetop-sergeantsofarabettedthebreachofdisciplineastogivethecollie'sheadafurtivepat。Thenightwasdim，asthemoonhadnotrisen；sothemutualcontactofgood-fellowshipwasnotvisibletothemarchingmenoneithersideofMahanandthedog。Anddiscipline，therefore，didnotsuffermuch，afterall。
Atonepostafteranother，asentinelwasrelievedandafreshmantookhisplace。Farthestinfrontofthe"Here-We-Comes"
lines——andnearesttotheGerman——waspostedalankyMissourianwhomBruceliked，amanwhohadawayofdiscoveringinhisdeeppocketsstraybitsoffoodwhichhehadhoardedthereforthecollieanddelightedtodoleouttohim。TheMissourianhadadrawlinglysoftvoicethedogliked，andheusedtotalktoBruceasifthelatterwereanotherhuman。
Forallthesereasons——andbecauseMahanwastoobusyandtoogrumpytobotherwithhim——Bruceelectedtostaywherehewas，forawhile，andsharetheMissourian'svigil。So，whentherestofthepartymovedalongtothenextsentry-go，thedogremained。
TheMissourianwasonlytoogladtohavehimdoso。Itistediousandstupidtopaceadesolatebeat，alone，atdeadofnight，afteradayofhardfighting。Andthemanwelcomedthecompanionshipofthedog。
Foratime，astheMissourianpacedhissolitarystretchofbrokenandshrub-grownground，Brucegravelypacedtoandfroathisside。Butpresentlythisaimlesspromenadebegantowaxuninteresting。And，asthetwocametothefarendofthebeat，Bruceyawnedandlaydown。Itwaspleasantertoliethereandtowatchthesentineldothewalking。
Stretchedout，inalittlegrass-hollow，thedogfollowedblinkinglywithhissoftbrowneyesthependulumlikeprogressofhisfriend。Andalwaysthedog'splumedtailwouldbeatrhythmicwelcomeagainstthegroundasthesentryapproachedhim。
Thusnearlyanhourworeon。Afatmoonbutteditslazywaythroughthesmoke-mistsoftheeasternskyline。
Thensomethinghappened——somethingthatBrucecouldreadilyhaveforestalledifthewindhadbeenblowingfromtheotherdirection，andifadog'seyeswerenotasnearsightedashisnoseisfarsmelling。
TheMissourianpausedtorunhishandcaressinglyoverthecollie'sroughmane，andmovedon，downthelonelybeat。Brucewatchedhisrecedingfigure，drowsily。Attheendofninetyyardsormore，theMissourianpassedbyabunchoflowbusheswhichgrewatthenearsideofastretchofhillyandshellpockedground。Hemovedpastthebushes，stillwatchedbythesomewhatboreddog。
ItwasthenthatBrucesawapatchofbushshadowdetachitselffromtherest，undertheglowoftherisingmoon。Theshadowwashumpyandsquat。Noiseless，itglidedoutfromamongthebushes，closeatthesentry'sheels，andcreptafterhim。
Bruceprickedhisearsandstartedtogetup。Hiscuriositywasroused。Thedirectionofthewindpreventedhimfromsmellingoutthenatureofthemystery。Italsokepthiskeenhearingfromsupplyinganyclue。Andthedistancewouldnotpermithimtoseewithanydistinctness。
Stillhiscuriositywasverymild。Surely，ifdangerthreatened，thesentinelwouldrealizeit。ForbythistimetheShadowwasabarethreefeetbehindhimnearenough，byBruce'ssystemoflogic，fortheMissouriantohavesmelledandheardthepursuer。
SoBrucegotup，inthemostleisurelyfashion，preparatorytostrollingacrosstoinvestigate。Butatalmosthisfirststephesawsomethingthatchangedhisgracefullyslouchingwalkintoachargingrun。
TheShadowsuddenlyhadmergedwiththesentinel。Foraninstant，instarksilence，thetwoseemedtoclingtogether。ThentheShadowfled，andthelankyMissourianslumpedtotheearthinasprawlingheap，histhroatcut。
Theslayerhadbeenadefthandatthejob。NosoundhadescapedtheMissourian，fromthemomentthestranglinglytightleftarmhadbeenthrownaroundhisthroatfrombehinduntil，asecondlater，hefellbleedingandlifeless。
Intwentyleapingstrides，Brucecameuptotheslainsentinelandbentoverhim。Dog-instincttoldthecolliehisfriendhadbeendonetodeath。Andthedog'spowerofscenttoldhimitwasaGermanwhohaddonethekilling。
Formanymonths，BrucehadbeenfamiliarwiththescentofGermansoldiers，sodifferentfromthatofthearmyinwhichhetoiled。
Andhehadlearnedtohateit，evenasadoghatesthevague"crushedcucumber"smellofapitviper。Butwhileeverydogdreadstheviper-smellasmuchasheloathesit，Brucehadnofearatallofthebocheodor。Instead，italwaysawokeinhimablood-lust，asfierceasanythathadburnedinhiswolf-
ancestors。
Thissamefuryswepthimnow，ashestood，quivering，abovethebodyofthekindlymanwhosolatelyhadpettedhim；thisandacravingtorevengethemurderofhishumanfriend。
Forthebriefesttime，Brucestoodthere，hisdarkeyesabrimwithunhappinessandbewilderment，ashegazeddownonthehuddledforminthewetgrass。Thenanelectricchangecameoverhim。Thesoftnessfledfromhiseyes，leavingthembloodshotandblazing。Hisgreattawnyruffbristledlikeanangrycat's。Thelazygracefulnessdepartedfromhismightybody。Itbecametenseandterrible。Inthegrowingmoonlighthisteethgleamedwhitelyfromunderhisupcurledlip。
Inaflashheturnedandsetoffatalopingrun，noseclosetoground，hislongstridedeceptivelyswift。Thezestoftheman-
hunthadobsessedhim，ascompletelyas，thatday，ithadspurredtheadvanceofthe"Here-We-Comes。"
Thetrailoftheslayerwasfresh，evenoversuchbrokenground。
FastastheGermanhadfled，Brucewasflyingfaster。Despitethemurderer'slongstart，thedogspeedilycutdownthedistancebetweenhisquarryandhimself。Nottrustingtosight，butsolelytohisunerringsenseofsmell。Brucespedon。
Then，inamomentortwo，hishearingre-enforcedhisscent。Hecouldcatchthepad-pad-padofrunningfeet。Andtheincreasingofthesoundtoldhimhewasgainingfast。
Butinanotherboundhisearstoldhimsomethingelse——somethinghewouldhaveheardmuchsooner，hadnotthenightwindbeensettingsostronglyintheotherdirection。Heheardnotonlythepoundingofhisprey'sheavy-shodfeet，butthesoftthudofhundreds——perhapsthousands——ofotherarmyshoes。Andnow，despitetheadversewind，theodorofinnumerablesoldierscametohisfiercelysniffingnostrils。Notonlywasitthescentofsoldiers，butofGermansoldiers。
Forthefirsttime，Bruceliftedhisheadfromtheground，asheran，andpeeredinfrontofhim。Themoonhadrisenabovethelow-lyinghorizonvaporsintoaclearsky，andthereachofcountrywassharplyvisible。
Brucesawthemanhewaschasing，——sawhimplainly。TheGermanwasstillrunning，butnotatallasonewhofleesfromperil。Heran，rather，asmightthebearerofgladtidings。Andhewasevennowdrawinguptoagroupofmenwhoawaitedeagerlyhiscoming。
Theremusthavebeenfiftymeninthegroup。Behindthem——inopenformationandasfarasthedog'snear-sightedeyescouldsee——
weremoremen，andmore，andmore——thousandsofthem，allmovingstealthilyforward。
Now，acollie（inbrain，thoughneverinheart）ismuchmorewolfthandog。Abullterrier，oranAiredale，wouldhavechargedonathisfoe，andwouldhavelethimselfbehackedtopiecesbeforeloosinghisholdontheman。
But——evenasawolfcheckshispursuitofagallopingsheepwhenthelatterdashesintotheguardedfold——Brucecametoanabrupthalt，atsightofthesereenforcements。Hestoodirresolute，stillmadwithvengefulanger，butnotfoolishenoughtoassailawholebrigadeofarmedmen。
Itisquiteimpossible（thoughMahanandVivierusedtoswearitmustbetrue）thatBrucehadthereasoningpowerstofigureoutthewholesituationwhichconfrontedhim。HecouldnothaveknownthataGermanbrigadehadbeensenttotakeadvantageofthe"Here-We-Comes"temporarilyisolatedposition——thatthreesentrieshadbeenkilledinsilenceandthattheirdeathshadleftawidegapthroughwhichthebrigadehopedtocreepunobserveduntiltheyshouldbewithinstrikingdistanceoftheirunsuspectinglyslumberingvictims。
Brucecouldnothaveknownthis。Hecouldnothavegraspedtheslightestfractionoftheidea，beingonlyareal-lifedogandnotafairytaleanimal。ButwhathecouldanddidrealizewasthatamassofdetestedGermanswasmovingtowardhim，andthathecouldnothopetoattackthem，single-handed；also，thathewasnotmindedtoslinkpeacefullyawayandleavehisfriendunavenged。
Thwartedragedraggedfromhisfurrythroatadeepgrowl；agrowlthatresoundedeerilythroughthatsilentplaceofstealthymoves。Andhesteppedmajesticallyforthfromthesurroundinglonggrass，intothefullglareofmoonlight。
Thedeceptiveglowmadehimloomgiganticandblack，andtingedhissnowychestwiththephosphorousgleamofasnowfield。Hiseyesshonelikeawildbeast's。
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CorporalRudolphFreund，oftheKoniginLuiseRegiment，hadjustfinishedhisthree-wordreporttohissuperior。Hehadmerelysalutedandannounced"Heisdead！"
CorporalFreunddidnotthrill，asusual，tothecolonel'sgruntofapproval。TheCorporalwasworried。HewasaBlackForestpeasant；and，whileironmilitarylifehaddulledhisnativesuperstitions，ithadnotdispelledthem。
Thenightwasmystic，initsoddblendofmoonandshadows。
Howeverhardenedonemaybe，itisanerve-straintocreepthroughlonggrass，likearedIndian，tothemurderofahostilesentinel。AndeveryGermaninthe"Pocket"hadbeenunderfrightfulmentalandphysicalstress，forthepastweek。
CorporalRudolphFreundwasabravemanandabrute。Butthatweekhadsappedhisnerve。Andtheworkofthisnighthadbeentheclimax。Thedesolateground，overwhichhehadcrawledtothekilling，hadsuddenlyseemedpeopledwithevilgnomesandgoblins，whoseexistencenotrueBlackForestpeasantcandoubt。
And，ontherunback，hehadbeencertainheheardsomeunseenmonstertearingthroughtheunderbrushinhotpursuitofhim。Socertainhadhebeen，thathehadredoubledhisspeed。
Therewerenowolvesorotherlargewildanimalsinthatregion。
Whenhehadwriggledtowardtheslow-pacingAmericansentinel，hehadseenandheardnocreatureofanysort。Yethewassurethatonthewaybackhehadbeenpursuedby——bySomething！Andintohisscaredmemory，asheran，hadflashedtheofttoldBlackForesttaleoftheWerewolf——thedevil——beastthatisenteredbythesoulofamurderedmanandwhichtracksthemurderertohisdeath。
GladwastheunnervedCorporalFreundwhenhisrunceasedandhestoodclosetohisgrosslysolidandrank-scentedfellowmenoncemore。AlmosthewasinclinedtolaughathisfearsofthefabledWerewolf——andespeciallyattheideathathehadbeenpursued。Hedrewalongbreathofrelief。Hedrewthebreathin。Buthedidnotatonceexpelit。Foronhisearscamethesoundofahideousmenacinggrowl。
CorporalFreundspunabout，inthedirectionofthemysteriousthreat。Andthere，notthirtyfeetfromhim，intheghostlymoonlight，stoodtheWerewolf！
Thistimetherecouldbenoquestionofoverstrainednervesandofimagination。TheThingwasTHERE！
Horriblyvisibleineverydetail，theWerewolfwasglaringathim。Hecouldseetheredglowofthegiganticdevil-beast'seyes，thewhiteflashofitsteeth，theghostlyshimmeringofitssnowychest。Thesoulofthemanhehadslainhadtakenthistraditionalformandwashuntingdowntheslayer！AthousandstoriesofFreund'schildhoodverifiedthefrightfultruth。Andoverwroughthumannature'sendurancewenttopiecesundertheshock。
Amaniachowlofterrorsplitthemidnightstillness。Shriekaftershriekrenttheair。Freundtumbledconvulsivelytothegroundathiscolonel'sfeet，grippingtheofficer'sbootedkneesandscreechingforprotection。Thecolonel，ragingthatthesurpriseattackshouldbeimperiledbysucharacket，beatthefranticmanoverthemouthwithhisheavyfist，kickingferociouslyathisupturnedwrithingface，andsnarlingtohimtobesilent。
TheshowerofblowsbroughtFreundbacktosanity，totheextentofchanginghiscraventerrorintoFear'ssecondaryphase——theimpulsetostrikebackatthethingthathadcausedthefright。
Rollingoverandoverontheground，undertheimpactofhissuperior'sfistblowsandkicks，Freundsomehowregainedhisfeet。
Reelinguptothenearestsoldier，thepanic-crazedcorporalsnatchedtheprivate'srifleandfiredthreetimes，blindly，atBruce。Then，foamingatthemouth，Freundfellheavilytoearthagain，chatteringandtwitchinginafit。
Bruce，atthesecondshot，leapedhighintheair，andcollapsed，inaninertfurryheap，amongthebushes。Therehelay，——hiscareerasacourier-dogforeverended。
CorporalRudolphFreundwasperhapsthebestsniperinhisregiment。Wildlythoughhehadfired，marksman-instincthadguidedhisbullets。Andatsuchcloserangetherewasnomissing。
Brucewenttoearthwithonerifleballthroughhisbody，andanotherinhisleg。Athirdhadreachedhisskull。
Now，thecompleteelementofsurprisewasall-needfulfortheattacktheGermanshadplannedagainstthe"Here-We-Comes。"
Deprivedofthatadvantagetheexpeditionwasdoomedtoutterfailure。For，givenachancetowakeandtorally，theregimentcouldnotpossiblybe"rushed，"invividmoonlight，beforethenearestAlliedforcescouldmoveuptoitssupport。Andthoseforceswereonlyamileorsototherear。Therecanbenopossiblehopeforasurpriseattackuponawell-appointedcampwhenthenight'sstillnesshasbeenshatteredbyaseriesofmaniacscreamsandbythreeechoingrifle-shots。
Alreadytheguardwasout。Abuglewasblowing。Inanotherminute，thesentry-callswouldlocatethegapmadebythethreemurderedsentinels。
Aswiftgutturalconferenceamongtheleadersofthegray-cladmarauderswasfollowedbythebarkingofequallygutturalcommands。AndtheGermanswithdrewasquietlyandasrapidlyastheyhadcome。
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Itwasthemouthingandjabberingofthefit-possessedCorporalRudolphFreundthatdrewtohimthenoticeofasquadofYankeesledbyTop-SergeantMahan，tenminuteslater。Itwastheshudder——accompaniedpointingofthedeliriousman'sfinger，towardthenearbyclumpofundergrowth，thatrevealedtothemthestillwarmbodyofBruce。
Backtocamp，carriedlovinglyinMahan'sstrongarms，wentallthatwasleftofthegreatcourier-dog。Backtocamp，propelledbetweentwonone-too-gentlesoldiers，staggeredthefit-riddenCorporalFreund。
Atthecolonel'squarters，acompellingdoseofstimulantclearedsomeofthemistsfromtheprisoner'sbrain。Hisnerveandhiswill-powerstillgonetosmash，hebabbledeagerlyenoughofthenightattack，ofthekillingofthesentriesandofhisencounterwiththeWerewolf。
"Isawhimfall！"heraved。"Butheisnotdead。TheWerewolfcanbekilledonlybyasilverbullet，markedwithacrossandblessedbyapriest。Hewilllivetotrackmedown！Lockmewherehecannotfindme，forthesakeofsweetmercy！"
Andinthisway，the"Here-We-Comes"learnedofBruce'spartinthenight'saverteddisaster。
OldVivierweptunashamedoverthebodyofthedoghehadloved。
Top-SergeantMahan——thebigtearssplashing，unnoted，fromhisownredeyes——besoughttheFrenchmantostriveforbetterself-
controlandnottosetacry-babyexampletothemen。
Thenagroupofgrim-facedsoldiersdugagrave。And，carriedbyMahanandVivier，thebeautifuldog'sbodywasbornetoitsresting-place。Athrongofmeninthegraydawnstoodwordlessaroundthegrave。Someoneshamefacedlytookoffhishat。Withequalshamefacedness，everybodyelsefollowedtheexample。
Mahanlaidthedog'sbodyontheground，atthegrave'sbrink。
Then，lookingabouthim，heclearedhisthroatnoisilyandspoke。
"Boys，"hebegan，"whenahumandiesforotherhumans，there'saChristianburialservicereadoverhim。I'dhaveaskedthechaplaintoreadoneoverBruce，here，ifIhadn'tknownhe'dsayno。ButtheBigDogisn'tgoingtorestwithoutawordsaidoverhisgrave，forallthat。"
Mahanclearedhisthroatnoisilyoncemore，winkedfast，thenwenton：——
"Youcanlaughatme，ifanyofyoufeellikeit。Butthere'ssomeofyouherewhowouldn'tbealivetolaugh，ifBrucehadn'tdonewhathedidlastnight。Hewasonlyjustadog——withnosoul，andwithnolifeafterthisone，Is'pose。Sohewentaheadanddidhisworkandtooktherisks，andaskednopay。
"Andbyandbyhedied，stilldoinghisworkandaskingnopay。
"Hedidn'tworkwiththeideaofgettingacrossoraribbonorapromotionorapensionorhisnameinthepaperortomakethecrowdcheerhimwhenhegotbackhome，ortobragtothehomefolksabouthowhewasahero。HejustwentaheadandWASahero。That'sbecausehewasonlyadog，withnosoul——andnotaman。
"Allofushumansareworkingforsomereward，evenifit'sonlyforourpayorforthefunofdoingourshare。ButBrucewasaherobecausehewasjustadog，andbecausehedidn'tknowenoughtobeanythingelsebutahero。
"I'veheardabouthim，beforehejoinedupwithus。Iguessmostofushave。HelivedupinJersey，somewhere。Withfolksthathadbredhim。I'llbetayear'spayhewasmadealotofbythosefolks；andthatitwrenched'emtolethimgo。Youcouldseehe'dbeenbroughtupthatway。Lifemust'a'beenprettyhappyfortheoldchap，backthere。Thenhewaspickedupandslungintothemiddleofthishell。
"Sowastherestofus，saysyou。Butyou'rewrong。Thoseofusthatwaitedforthedrafthadourchoiceofgoingtothehoosgow，as'conscientiousobjectors，'ifwedidn'twanttofight。Andeverymother'ssonofusknewwewasfightingfortheRight；andthatwewasmakingtheworldadecenterandsaferplaceforourgrandchildrenandourwomenfolkstolivein。Wedidn'tbragaboutGodbeingonourside，likethebochesdo。ItwasenoughforustoknowWEwasonGOD'SsideandfightingHisgreatfightforHim。WehadpatriotismandreligionandRight，behindus，togiveusstrength。
"Bruciehadn'taoneofthosethings。Hedidn'tknowwhathewasherefor——andwhyhe'dbeenpitchedoutofhisnicehome，intoallthis。Hedidn'thaveachancetosayYesorNo。Hedidn'thaveanyspellbinderstotellhimhewasmakingtheworldsafeford'mocracy。HewasMADEtocome。
"Howwouldanyofushumanshaveacted，ifadeallikethathadbeenhandedtous？We'd'a'grouchedandslackedandmaybedeserted。That'sbecausewe'relordsofcreationandhavesoulsandbrainsandsuch。WhatdidBrucedo？Hejumpedintothisgame，withbellson。Heriskedhislifeahundredtimes；andhewasjustasreadytoriskitagainthenextday。
"Yes，andheknewhewasriskingit，too。There'sblamelittlehedidn'tknow。Hesawwar-dogs，allaroundhim，chokingtodeathfromgas，orscreamingtheirlivesout，inNoMan'sLand，whenabitofshellhaddisemboweled'emorabullethadcrackedtheirbackbones。Hesaw'emstarvetodeath。Hesaw'emonebloodymassofscarsandsores。Hesaw'emdieofpneumoniaandmangeandeveryrottentrenchdisease。Andheknewitmightbehisturn，anytimeatall，todieastheyweredying；andheknewthehumanswastoobusynursingotherhumans，tohavetimetospareoncaringfortortureddogs。（Thoughthosesamedogsweredyingforthehumans，ifitcomestothat。）
"Yes，Bruceknewwhattheendwasboundtobe。Heknewit。Andhekepton，asgayandasbraveasifhewasonaday'sromp。Heneverflinched。NoteventhattimetheK。O。senthimupthehillforreenforcementsatRache，wheneverysharpshooterinthebochetrencheswaslayingforhim，andwhenthemachinegunsweretrainedonhim，too。Bruceknewhewasrunningintodeath——，thenandadozenothertimes。Andhewentatitlikeawhiteman。
"I'm——I'mgettinglongwinded。AndI'llstop。But——maybeifyouboyswillremembertheBigDog——andwhathedidforus，——whenyougetbackhome，——ifyou'llrememberhimandwhathedidandwhatthousandsofotherwar-dogshavedone，——thenmaybeyou'llbemenenoughtopunchthejawofanyguywhogetstosayingthatdogsarenuisancesandthatvivisection'sagoodthing，andallthat。
Ifyou'lljustdothatmuch，then——well，thenBrucehasn'tlivedanddiedfornothing！
"Brucie，oldboy，"bendingtoliftthetawnybodyandloweritintothegrave，"it'sgood-by。It'sgood-bytothecleanest，whitestpalthatapoordubofadoughboyeverhad。I——"
Mahangloweredacrossattheclumpofsilentmen。
"IfanybodythinksI'mcrying，"hecontinuedthickly，"he'saliar。Igotacold，and——"
"SacrebonDieu！"yelledoldVivier，insanely。"Regarde-donc！Nomd'unepipe！"
Hekneltquicklybesidethebody，inanecstasyofexcitement。
Theotherscranedtheirneckstosee。Thenfromahundredthroatswentupagaspofamazement。
Bruce，slowlyanddazedly，wasliftinghismagnificenthead！
"Chaseoffforthesurgeon！"bellowedMahan，plumpingdownonhiskneesbesideVivierandexaminingthewoundinthedog'sscalp。
"Thebulletonlycreasedhisskull！Itdidn'tgothrough！It'sjustputhimoutforafewhours，likeI'veseenitdotomen。
Getthesurgeon！Ifthatbulletinhisbodydidn'thitsomethingvital，we'llpullhimaround，yet！GLORYBE！"
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ItwaslatesummeragainatThePlace，lateopulentsummer，withthepeaceofgreenearthandbluesky，theheavydroningofbeesandthepromiseofharvest。Thelongshadowsoflateafternoonstretchedlovinglyacrossthelawn，fromthegreatlakesidetrees。Overeverythingbroodedadreamyamberlight。Thewarseemedamillionmilesaway。
TheMistressandtheMastercamedownfromthevine-shadedverandafortheirsunsetwalkthroughthegrounds。Atsoundoftheirstepsonthegravel，ahugedark-brown-and-whitecollieemergedfromhisresting-placeunderthewistaria-arbor。
Hestretchedhimselflazily，foreandaft，incollie-fashion。
ThenhetrotteduptohistwodeitiesandthrusthismuzzleplayfullyintotheMistress'spalm，ashefellintostepwiththepromenaders。
Hewalkedwithastiffnessinoneforeleg。Hisgaitwasnotalimp。Buttheleg'sstrengthcouldnolongerbereliedonforaten-milegallop。Alonghisforeheadwasanew-healedbullet-
crease。Andthefuronhissideshadscarcelyyetgrownoverthemarkofthehigh-poweredballwhichhadgoneclearthroughhimwithouttouchingamortalspot。
Truly，theregimentalsurgeonofthe"Here-We-Comes"haddoneajobworthyofhisownhighfame！Andthedog'swonderfulconditionhaddonetherest。
Apartfromscarsandstiffness，Brucewasnonetheworseforhisyearonthebattle-front。Hecouldservenolongerasadashingcourier。Buthislifeasapetwasinnowayimpaired。
"Here'ssomethingthatcamebytheafternoonmail，Bruce，"theMastergreetedhim，asthecollierangedalongside。"Itbelongstoyou。Takealookatit。"
TheMasterdrewfromhispocketaleatherbox，andopenedit。Ontheoblongofwhitesatin，withinthecover，waspinnedaverysmallandverythingoldmedal。But，lightasitwas，ithadrepresentedmuchabstinencefromestaminetsandtobacco-shops，onthepartofitsdonors。
"Listen，"theMastersaid，holdingthemedalinfrontofthecollie。"Listen，whileIreadyoutheinscription：'ToBruce。
Fromsomeoftheboyshesavedfromtheboches。'"
Brucewassniffingthethingoldlozengeinterestedly。Theinscriptionmeantnothingtohim。But——strongandvividtohistrainednostrils——hescentedonthemedalthelovingfinger-
touchofhisoldfriendandadmirer，TopSergeantMahan。