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