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