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