\"Hello，folks！\"Rhuburgerwasdeclaiming，toawhollyunenthusiasticcircleofacquaintances。\"Madeanotherrecord，justnow。ThelittleboatspunmeherefromMontclairinexactlynineteenminutes。That\'s——that\'sroughlyanaveragerateofamileinseventy-fiveseconds。Notsobad，eh？ThatcarsuremadeahitwithME，allright。Notsomuchofahit，maybe，withacoupleofchickensandafatolddogthathadthebadlucktobeasleepinthemiddleofthe——\"
Hisplangentbragwaslostinasoundseldomheardonthehithersideofjungleorzoo。Fromthegroupofslightlydisgustedonlookers，ahugeandtawnyshapeburstforth；hurtlingthroughtheair，straightforthefatthroatoftheboaster。
Rhuburger，bysomeheaven-sentinstinct，flunguphisarmstoshieldhismenacedjugular。Hehadnotimetodomore。
Lad\'sfury-driveneightypoundsofmuscularweightcrashedfullagainsthischest。Lad\'sterribleteeth，missingtheirthroat-goal，drovedeepintotheupliftedrightforearm；shearingthroughimportedtweedcoat-sleeveandthroughcordedsilkenshirt，andthroughflabbyfleshandcleantotheverybone。
Thedog\'slion-roarblendedwiththepanic-screechesofthevictim。And，underthatfearfulimpact，Rhuburgerreeledbackfromthestairhead，andwentcrashingdownthesteps，tothebroadstoneflaggingatthebottom。
Notonce，duringthatmeteoric，shriek-punctureddownwardflight，didLadloosehisgriponthetornforearm。Butasthetwostrucktheflaggingatthebottom，heshiftedhishold，withlightningspeed；stabbingoncemorefortheexposedjugular。
Helungedmurderouslyathismark。Yes，andthistimehefoundit。Histeethhadtouchedthepudgythroat，andbegantocleavetheirremorselesswaytotheverylifeofthemanwhohadslainLady。
But，outofthejumbleofcriesandstampingfeetandexplosiveshoutsfromthescaredonlookersontheverandaabove，onestaccatoyellpiercedtheswirlofrage-mistsintheavengingcollie\'sbrain。
\"LAD！\"cametheMaster\'ssharp，scandalizedmandate。\"LAD！！！\"
Hatingthethoughtofdesistingfromhischerishedrevenge，thedogheardandheeded。Withvisiblereluctance，hedrewbackfromtheslaughter；andturnedhisnobleheadtofacethemanwhowasrunningdownthestepstowardhim。
Ladknewwellwhathemightexpect，forthisthinghehaddone。
HeknewtheLaw。Heknew，almostfrombirth，thecourteoustoleranceduetofolkamongwhomhisdeitiestookhim。Andnowhehadmadeanindustriousefforttokilloneofthesepeople。
Itwasnolightoffenseforadogtoattackahuman。Lad，likeeverywell-trainedcollie，knewthat。Hisowndeathmightwellfollow。Indeed，fromthebabelofvoicesontheveranda，squallingconfusedlysuchhackneyedsentimentsas\"Maddog！\"and\"Getagun！\"itseemedhighlyprobablethatLadwasduetosufferfullpenalty，fromtheman-pack。
Yethegavenoheedtotheclamor。Instead，turningslowly，hefacedtheMaster；readyforwhatevermightfollow。Butnothingfollowed，——nothingatleastthatheexpected。
TheMastersimplycommanded:——
\"Down，Lad！\"
Asthedog，obediently，droppedtotheground，theMasterbenttoexaminethegroaningandmaudlinlyweepingRhuburger。InthisSamaritantaskhewasjoinedbyoneortwooftheclub\'smoreventuresomememberswhohadfollowedhimdownthesteps。
Rhuburgerwasall-butdeliriouswithfright。HisthroatwasscoredbythefirstrakingofLad\'steeth；butinthemerestofflesh-wounds。Thechewedarmwasmoreserious；butnoboneortendonwasinjured。Afortnightofcarewouldseeitasgoodasnew。Bymoreorlessofamiracle，noboneshadbeenbrokenandnoconcussioncausedbythebackwarddivedowntheflightofsteps。Therewerebadbruisesa-plenty；buttherewasnothingworse。
AstheMasterandthefewotherswhohaddescendedthestepswereworkingoverthefallenman，theMistresscheckedtheturmoilontheveranda。AtLad\'sleap，memoryofthisspeed-madmotoristhadrushedbacktoher。
Now，tersely，forthebenefitofthosearound，shewasidentifyinghimwiththekillerofLady；whosedeathhadrousedsomuchindignationinthevillage。And，asshespoke，thepeoplewhohadclamoredloudestofmaddogsandwhohadcalledsofranticallyforagun，waxedsilent。ThemyriadglancescastattheprostrateandblubberingRhuburgerwerenotloving。Someoneevensaid，loudly\"GOODoldLaddie！\"
AstheMistressandtheMasterwereclosingthehouseforthenight，acarcamedownthedrive。Outofitsteppedtheirfriendofmanyyears，Maclay，thelocalJusticeofthePeace。
\"Hello，Mac！\"hailedtheMaster。\"Heretotakeusalltojailforassault-and-battery；orjusttoservea\'dangerousdog\'noticeonus？\"
Hespokelightly；buthewastroubled。Today\'sescapademightwellleadthevillagelawtotakesomecognizanceofLad\'sferociousdeed。
\"No，\"laughedMaclay。\"Neitherofthosethings。I\'mhere，unprofessionally。Ithoughtyoupeoplemightliketoknowafewthings，beforeyougotobed。Inthefirstplace，thedoctorpatchedupRhuburger\'sbitesandtookhimhome。Hecouldn\'ttakehimhomeinRhuburger\'sowncar。Forsomeofthetenniscrowdhadgottenatthat。Whattheydidtothat$6，000runaboutwasacrime！Theystrippeditofeverything。Theythrewthecarburetorandthewheelsandthesteeringgearandalotofotherpartsintothelake。\"
\"WHAT？\"
\"Thentheylefttheircardspinnedtothedismantledmachine\'scushions；——incaseRhuburgercarestogofurtherintothematter。
Whiletheyweredoingallthat，theclub\'sGovernorshadahurry-callmeeting。AndforoncetheBoardwasunanimousaboutsomething。Itwasunanimous——inexpellingRhuburgerfromtheclub。Thenwe——Bytheway，where\'sLaddie？CurledupbyLady\'sgrave，asusual，Isuppose？Poorolddog！\"
\"No，\"deniedtheMistress。\"He\'sasleepinhis\'cave\'underthepiano。Hewentthere，ofhisownaccord。Andheateaperfectlytremendoussupper，tonight。He\'s——he\'sCURED！\"
CHAPTERVIII。InStrangeCompanyLadwasgettingalonginyears。
Notyethadagebeguntoclawathim；blearingthewondrousdeep-setdarkeyesandsilveringtheclassicmuzzleandbroadeningtheshapelyskullandstiffeningthesweepinglyfreegait；dullingthesharpearsordoinganyoftheotherpitiablytragicthingsthatnaturedoestothedogwhoisprogressinginhisteens。Those，humiliationswerestillwaitingforLad，onebyone；beyondthenextTurnoftheRoad。
Yettherompandthespiritofbubblingfunandthelavishlyneedlessexercise——theseweremergingintosobriety。True，atraretimes，withtheMistressortheMaster——especiallywiththeMistress，Ladwouldforgethewasmiddle-agedanddignified；andwouldplaylikeacrazypuppy。But，forthemostparthehadbeguntocarryhisyearsatrifleseriously。
HewasnotyetinthewinteroreventheIndianSummerofhisbeautifullife。But，atleast，hehadstrolledintoitsearlyautumn。
Andthis，beitwellremembered，isthecursewhichStepmotherNatureplaceduponTheDog，whenheelectedtoturnhisbackonhisownkind，andtobecometheonlyoneoftheworld\'sfour-footedfolktoserveManofhisownaccord。TopunishtheDogforthisabnormality，Naturedecreedthathislifeshouldbegintofail，almostassoonasithadreachedthegloryofitsearlyprime。
Adogisnotathisbest，inmindorinbody，untilhehaspassedhisthirdyear。And，beforehenearstheten-yearmark，hehasbeguntodecline。Attwelveorthirteen，heisasdecrepitasistheaveragehumanofseventy。Andnotonedoginahundredcanbeexpectedtolivetofourteen。
Lad，bysomemiracle，wasdestinedtoendurepasthisownsixteenthbirthday；arecordseldomequaledamonghisrace。
Andsotoourstory:——
Whenthecarandtheloadedequipment-truckdrewupatthedoor，thatgoldenOctoberday，Ladforgothisadvancingyears。Inamoment，hewasoncemoreapuppy。Forheknewwhatitallmeant。
ItdidnotneedtheadventoftheMistressandtheMasterfromthehouse，inroughoutingclothes，northepilingofduffle-bagsandthelikeintothecar\'stonneau，tosendLaddieintoatransportoftrumpetingandgyrations。Thefirstsightandsniffofthetents，rolledtightinthetruck，haddonethat。Ladunderstood。Ladalwaysunderstood。
ThisgearmeanttheannualfallcampingtripinthebackreachesoftheRamapoMountains，sometwenty-oddmilesnorthofthePlace；thefortnightoftent-life，ofshooting，offishing，ofbracinglychillnightsandwhite-misteddawnsandofdrowsilyhappycampfireevenings。ItmeantallmannerofadventureandfunforLad。
Now，onafishingjaunt，thepresenceofanykindofdogisaliability；notanasset。Athousanddog-fancierfishermencanattesttothat。And，whenhumansarehuntinganysortofgame，acollieisseveraldegreesworsethanworthless。
Thus，Lad\'susefulness，asamemberoftheparty，waslikelytobenegligible；——exceptinthematterofguardingcampandasanall-roundpalforthetwocampers。
Yet，asonformeryears，therewasnoquestionofleavinghimathome。WheretheMistressandtheMasterwent，hewent，too；
wheneversuchathingwerepossible。Hewastheirchum。Andtheywouldhavemissedhimasmuchashewouldhavemissedthem。
Which，ofcourse，wasanabsurdwayfortworeasonablysanepeopletoregardameredog。But，then，Ladwasnota\"mere\"dog。
Thusitwasthathetookhisplace，byinvitation，inthecar\'stonneau，amidaruckofhand-luggage；asthecamp-wardpilgrimagebegan。Tenmilesfartheron，theequipmenttruckhaltedtotakeaboardaguidenamedBarret，andhisboy；andtheirprofessionallyreliableoldIrishsetter。
Thissetterhadaquality，notover-commonwithmembersofhisgrandbreed；atraitwhichlinkedhiscareerpatheticallywiththatofalivery-plug。Hewouldhuntforanybody。Hewentthroughhisday\'swork，instubbleorundergrowth，withthesadconscientiousnessofanelderlybookkeeper。
Awayfromthemainroad，andupasteadilyrisingbywaythatmergedintoanaxle-snappingmountain-track，toiledthecars；atlastcomingtoawheezyandradiator-boilinghaltatthefootofarock-summitsosteepthatnovehiclecouldbreastit。Inacup，atthesummitofthismountain-tophillock，wasthecamp-site；
itsfartheredgeonlyafewyardsabovealittlebass-populatedspring-lake。
Theluggagewashauled，gruntily，upthesteep；andcampwaspitched。Thencarandtruckdepartedforcivilization。Andthetwoweeksofwildernesslifesetin。
ItwasawonderfultimeforoldLad。Theremotenessandwildstillnessofitallseemedtotakehimback，inaway，tothewolf-centuriesofhisancestors。IthadbeenmonstrouspleasanttoroamthepeacefulforestbackofthePlace。Buttherewasagenuinethrillinexploringtheseall-butmanlesswoods；withtheirqueerscentsofwildthingsthatseldomventuredclosetotheordainedhauntsofmen。
Itwasexciting，towakeatmidnight，besidethesmolderingcampfire，andtohear，abovetheindustrioussnoring，oftheguideandhisboy，thestealthyforestnoises；thepad-pad-padofsomewaryprowlercirclingatlongrangethetwinklingembers；
thecrashofafar-offbuck；thelumberingofsomebeardowntothelaketodrink。Thealmostmovelesssharpaircarriedamyriadfascinatingscentswhichhumannostrilsweretoogrosstoregister；butwhichwereacutelyplainandunderstandabletothegreatdog。
Bestofall，inthisouting，Lad\'stwodeities，theMistressandtheMaster，wereneverbusyatdeskorpiano，ortoomuchtangledupwiththesocietyofsillyoutsiders，tobehiscomradesandplaymates。True，sometimestheyhurthissupersensitivefeelingsmostdistressingly，bycallingtohim:\"No，no，Laddie。Back！
Watchcamp\'\"whenheessayedtojointhemastheysetforthwithrodsovertheirshouldersforahalf-day\'sfishing；oras，armedwithguns，theywhistleduptheboredbutworthysetterforashootingtrip。But，forthemost，Ladwascloseattheirsides，duringthesetwowonderfulweeks。Andhewasveryhappy。
Once，duringasolitaryramble，beforethehumanshadawakenedinthemorning，Ladcaughtanoddscent；andfolloweditforaquartermiledownthemountainside。Itwaxedstrongerandranker。
Atlast，aturnaroundahighboulderbroughthimfacetofacewithitssource。Andhefoundhimselfconfrontingahugeblackbear。
Thebearwasbusylootingabee-tree。Itwastheseasonwhenheandhislikearestockingup，withallthefatmakingfoodtheycangorge，inpreparationforthewinter\'s\"holing-in。\"Thus，heviewedwithsluggishnon-interesttheadventofthedog。HehadscentedLadforaslongatimeasLadhadscentedhim。Buthehadeatenon，unperturbed。Forheknewhimselftobethematchofanyfourdogs；especiallyifthedogswereunaccompaniedbymen。And，alongautumnoffoodhaddulledhistemper。
So，hemerelycheckedhishoney-gorginglongenoughtorollarottedlogtoonesideandtoscoopupfromunderitapawfuloffatwhitegrubswhichhaddecidedtowinterbeneaththedecayedtrunk。Then，absent-mindedlybrushingasideasquadronofindignantbees，hecontinuedhissweetfeast。
AsLadroundedtheboulderandcametoagrowlinghalt，thebearraisedhishoney-smearedhead，showedayellowingfangfromunderoneupcurledcornerofhisstickylips；andgloweredevillyatthecolliefromoutofhisreddeninglittleeyes。Thenhemadeasthoughtogooneating。
ButLadwouldnothaveitso。Intohisrejuvenatedheartstoleatingeofthemischiefwhichmakesacolliepuppydashharrowinglyatatetheredcow。Barkingwithsheerdelightintheexcitementofmeetingthissavage-lookingmonster，thedogrushedmerrilyatthebear。Histeethwerenotbared。Hishackleswerenotbristling。Thiswasnofight；butajollygame。Lad\'sdarkeyesdancedwithfun。
Midwayofhischarge，hecheckedhimself。Notthroughfear，butfromutterastonishment。Forhisnewacquaintancehaddonearightnon-quadrupedalthing。Bruinhadrearedhimselfuponhishindlegs；andwasstandingthere，likeaman，confrontingthedog。Hetowered，thus，eversohighaboveLad\'shead。
Hisshortarms，withtheirsaber-shapedclaws，wereoutstretchedtowardLad，asifinhumblesupplication。Buttherewasnothingsupplicatingorevencivilinthetinyredeyesthatsquintedferociouslydownatthecollie。SmallwonderthatLaddiehaltedhisowngallopingadvance；andstooddoubtful！
TheMaster，aminuteearlier，hadturnedoutoftheblanketsforhispainfullyicymorningplungeinthelakelet。Thefanfareofbarking，aquarter-milebelow，changedhisintent。Atruedogmanknowshisdog\'sbark，——anditseveryshadeofmeaning，——aswellasthoughitwerehumanspeech。FromthemannerwherewithLadhadgiventongue，theMasterknewhehadcorneredortreedsomethingquiteoutofthecommon。Catchinguphisrifle，hemadeforthedirectionofthebark；runningattopspeed。
Thebearputanendtothemomentofhesitancy。Lungingforward，herakedatthecrouchingcollie，withoneofhismurderousclaws；inagesturedesignedtogathertheimpudentdogintohisdeath-embrace。
Now，evenfromhumans，exceptonlytheMistressandtheMaster，Laddetestedpattingorhandlingofanykind。Whetherhethoughtthismaneuverofthebear\'sanuncouthformofcaressorknewitforamenace，——hemovedbackfromit。Yethedidsowithaleisurelymotion，devoidoffearandexpressiveofacertainloftycontempt。Perhapsthatiswhyhemovedwithouthisnativecaution。
Atallevents，thetipofoneofthesweepingclawsgrazedhisear，openingthebigvein，andhurtingliketheverymischief。
Ontheinstant，Ladchangedfromamischievousinvestigatortoadeeplyoffendedandangrydog。NolongerindoubtastoBruin\'sintent，heslitheredoutofreachofthegraspingarms，withalltheamazingspeedofawolf-descendedcollieofthebestsort。
And，inpracticallythesamefractionofasecond，hehadflashedbacktotheattack。
Divinginundertheother\'ssurprisinglyagilearms，heslashedthebear\'sstomachwithoneofhisrazorlikeeyeteeth；thenspuntoonesideandwasoutofreach。Downcamethebear，onallfours；ragingfromtheslash。Lurchingforward，heflunghishugebulkatthedog。Ladflashedoutofreach，butwithlessleewaythanhewouldhaveexpected。ForBruin，forallhisawkwardness，couldmovewithbewilderingspeed。
And，asthebearturned，Ladwasathimagain，nippingthehairyflank，tillhisteethmetinitsfat；andthendivingasbeforeunderthelungingbodyofthefoe。
ItwasatthispointtheMasterhoveinsight。Hewasjustintimetoseetheflank-biteandtoseeLaddanceoutofreachofthefuriouscounter。Itwasaninterestingspectacle，thereinthegraydawnandintheprimevalforest\'sdepths；——thisbattlebetweenagallantdogandaraginglyangrybear。Ifthedoghadbeenotherthanhisownlovedchum，theMastermighthavestoodthereandwatcheditsoutcome。Buthewasenoughofawoodsmantoknowtherecould，inallprobability，bebutoneendtosuchafight。
Ladweighedeightypounds，——anunusuallyheavyweightforacolliethatcarriesnoloosefat，——andhewasthemostcompactlypowerfuldogofhissizetheMasterhadeverseen。Also，whenhechosetoexertit，Ladhadtheswiftnessofawildcatandthebattlingprowessofatiger。
Yetallthiswouldscarcecarryhimtovictory，oreventoadraw，againstablackbearseveraltimesheavierthanhimselfandwiththeabilitytorendwithhisclawsaswellaswithhisteeth。OnceletLad\'sfootslip，inchargeorinelusiveretreat，——oncelethimmisjudgetimeordistance——andhemustbecrushedtoapulporrippedtoribbons。
Wherefore，theMasterbroughthisrifletohisshoulder。Hisfingercurledaboutthetrigger。Butitwasnoeasything，bythatdimlight，toaimwithanyaccuracy。NorwastheretheslightestassurancethatLad，——dancinginandoutandeverywhereandnowhereatonce，——mightnotcomeinlinewiththebullet。
Thus，——fromatolerableknowledgeofbearsandoftheircomparativemildnessintheplumpseasonoftheyear，——heshoutedatthetopofhislungs；and，atthesametime，firedintotheair。
Thebluffsufficed。EvenasLadjumpedbackfromclosequartersandwhirledabout，atsoundofthevoiceandtheshot，——thebeardroppedtoallfours，withridiculoushaste；andshambledoffatverycreditablespeedintothetangleofundergrowth。
Notsofargoneinthebattle-lusthadBruinbeenthathecaredtoriskconflictwithanarmedman。Twice，before，inhissomewhatlonglife，hadheheardatclosequartersthesnapofarifle，intheforeststillness，andthewhineofabullet。Once，suchabullethadfounditsmarkbyscoringagougeonhisscalp；
agougewhichgnatsandmayfliesand\"no-see-\'ems\"andlesscleanlypestshadmadeatormentforhim，forweeksthereafter。
Bruinhadagoodmemory。Justnow，hehadnothingtodefend。Hewasnotatbay。Norhadthefight-furypossessedhimtotheexclusionofsanity。Thus，hefled。And，eagerly，Ladgavechase。
But，attheveryedgeofthebush-rampart，theMaster\'scallbroughtthecollieback，toheel，exceedingglumandreluctant。
Reproachfully，Ladgazedupatthemanwhohadspoiledhismorningofenthrallingsport。Halfheartedly，LadlistenedtotheMaster\'srebuke，ashefollowedbacktocamp。Hisdayhadbegunsodelightfully！And，asusual，ahumanhadinterruptedthefun，atthemostexcitingtime；andfornoapparentreason。Humanswerelikethat。
Barringoneotherincident，Lad\'stwoweeksatcampwereuneventful，——untiltheverylastday。That\"oneincident\"canbepassedover，withmodestbrevity。Itconcernedablack-and-whitecatwhichLadsaw，oneevening，sneakingpastthecampfire\'sfarthestshadows。Hegavechase。Thechaseendedinlessthantenseconds。And，Ladhadtobebathedandscouredandrubbedandanointed，forthebestpartoftwenty-fourhours，beforehewasallowedtocomeagainwithinfiftyfeetofthediningtent。
Onarawmorning，thecarandthetruckmadetheirappearanceatthefootoftherockymountaintophillock。Thetentshadbeenstruck，atdaylight；andeverycookingutensilanddishhadbeenscouredandputintothecrateassoonasitwasused。Campwaspolicedandcleaned。Thefirewasbeatentodeath；ahalf-scorepailsofwaterweredowsedoveritsremains；anddampearthwasflunguponit。
Inshort，thecampingspotwasnotonlyleftasithadbeenfoundandasonewouldwantittobefoundagain，buteverytraceoffirewasdestroyed。
Andallthis，beitknown，ismorethanamereruleforcampers。
Itshouldbetheirsacredcreed。Ifoneisnotthoroughgoingsportsmanenoughtomakehiscamp-sitescrupulouslyclean，atleastthereisonedetailheshouldneverallowhimselftoneglect；——adetailwhoseomissionshouldbepunishedbyaterminprison:Namely，theutterextinctionofthecampfire。
Everyyear，millionsofdollars\'worthofsplendidtreesandofhomesarewipedout，byforestfires。Noforestfire，sincethebirthoftime，everstartedofitsownaccord。Eachandeveryonehasbeenduetohumancarelessness。
Acampfireill-extinguished；——asmolderoftobacconotstampedout；——theflamingcindersofarailroadtrain，——amatchdroppedamongdryleavesbeforesparkandblazehavebothbeendestroyed，——thesebethefirstandonlycausesoftheaverageforestfire。Allareavoidable。Noneisavoided。Andthelosstopropertyandtolifeandtonaturalresourcesisunbelievablygreat。
Anyfoolcanstartaforestfire。Indeed，afoolgenerallydoes。
Butahundredmencannotcheckit。Forestwardenspostwarnings。
Forestpatrols，afootorinairships，keepsharpwatch。Buttheselfishcarelessnessofmanundoestheirbestprecautions。
Sometimesinspringorinlushsummer，butfaroftenestinthedryautumn，theRedTerrorstalksovermountainandvalley；
leavingblackruininitswake。Scarceanautumnpassesthatthedirtysmokereekdoesnotcreepovermilesofsweetwoodland，blottingoutthesunshineforatimeandblottingoutrichvegetationformuchlonger。
Thisparticularautumnwasnoexception。Onthedaybeforecampwasbroken，theMistresshadspied，fromtheeyrieheightsoftheknoll，agrimlineofhazefartosouthward；andalessersmoke-smeartothewest。Andthenightsky，ontwohorizons，hadbeenfaintlylurid。
Thecampershadnotedthesephenomena，withsorrow。For，eachwraithlikesmoke-swirlmeantthedeathoftreeandshrub。Ladnotedthesmudgesasdistinctlyasdidthey。Indeed，tohiscaninenostrils，thechillautumnairbroughtthefaintreekofwood-smoke；anodormuchtooelusive，atthatdistance，forhumanstosmell。And，onceortwice，hewouldglanceinworriedconcernatthesehumans；asifwonderingwhytheytooksocoollyamanifestationthatathousand-year-oldhereditaryinstinctmadethedogshrinkfrom。
Butthehumansshowednooutwardsignofterrororofrage。And，asever，takinghistonefromhisgods，Laddecidedtherewasnothingtofear。So，hetriedtogivenofurtherheedtothereek。
Thedriverofthetruckandhisassistantwerefulloftalesofthefire\'sravagesinothersections。Andtheirrecitalwasheardwithactiveinterestbythefolkwhoforfourteendayshadbeenoutoftouchwiththeworld。
\"It\'swellwe\'relightingoutforcivilization，\"saidtheMaster，ashesuperintendedtheloadingofthetruck。\"Thewoodsareasdryastinder。Andifthewindshouldchangeandgrowabitfresher，theblazeovernearWildcatMountainmightcomeinthisdirection。Ifeveritdoes，it\'lltravelfasterthananygangoffire-fighterscanblockit。Thisregionisdeadripeforsuchathing。Notadropofraininamonth……No，no，Laddie！\"hebrokeoffinhismaunderings，asthecolliesoughttoleapaboardthetruckinthewakeofarollofbedding。\"No，no。You\'regoingwithus，inthecar。\"
Now，longusageandanuncannyintelligencehadgivenLadamorethantolerableunderstandingoftheEnglishlanguage\'ssimplerphrases。Theterm，\"You\'regoingwithusinthecar，\"wasascomprehensibletohimastoanychild。Hehadhearditspoken，withfewvariations，athousandtimes，inthepastnineyears。Atonce，onhearingtheMaster\'scommand，hejumpeddownfromthetruck；trottedofftothecar，ahundredyardsdistant；andsprangintohiswontedplaceintheluggage-clutteredtonneau。
Hechancedtojumpaboard，fromoneside；justastheguide\'shobbledehoysonwashoistingaheavyandcumbersomedufflebagintothetonneau，fromtheother。Lad\'seightypoundsofnervousenergysmotethebag，amidships；astheboywasbalancingithighinair，preparatorytosettingitdownbetweentwoothersacks。
Asaresult，boyandbagrolledbackwardinatangledembrace，acrossseveralyardsofstonyground。
Ladhadnotmeanttocauseanysuchcatastrophe。Yethestoodlookingdowninkeenenjoymentatthelivelyspectacle。Butastheboycametoahalt，againstasharp-pointedrock，andsatup，snivelingwithpain，thegreatdog\'saspectchanged。Seemingtorealizehewassomehowtoblame，hejumpedlightlydownfromthecarandwentovertooffertothesufferersuchcomfortaspattingforepawandfriendlylickingtonguecouldafford。
\"Here！\"calledtheguide，whohadseenbutacrosssectionofthecollision。\"Here，you！Stopa-playin\'withthedorg，andhustlethembagsonto——\"
\"Iwa\'n\'tplayin\'withhim，\"half-blubberedtheboy，gloweringdourlyatthesympatheticLad；andscramblingupfromhisbruise-puncturedrollontheground。\"Hecamea-buntin\'me；andI——\"
\"That\'lldo，Sonny！\"raspedBarret，whowasstrongondisciplineandwhofanciedhehadwitnessedtheclimaxofamerrygamebetweenboyanddog，\"IseenwhatIseen。AndIdon\'taimtotakenoback-talkfromawall-eyed，long-legged，chuckle-headedbrat；
that\'shiredtohelphispoorolddadandwhospendshistimecuttin\'monkeyshineswithadorg。Youtakethatcollieovertothetruck，andaskhisbosstolookafterhimandtoseehedon\'tpesteruswhilewe\'reaworkin\'。Onthewayback，stopatthelean-toandcatchmethatbagofcookin\'thingsIleftthere。
The\'sjustroomfor\'em，undertheseat。Chase！\"
Woefully，theboylimpedoff；hishandclinchedinthefurofLad\'sruff。Thedog，ordinarily，wouldhaveresentedsuchfamiliarity。But，stillseekingtocomfortthevictim\'smanifestunhappiness，hesufferedhimselftobeledalong。WhichwasLad\'sway。Thesightofsorroworofpainalwaysmadehimridiculouslygentleandsympathetic。
Theboy\'sbruiseshurtcruelly。Thedistancetothetruckwasafullhundredyards。Thedistancetothelean-toapermanentshed，backofthecamp-sitewasaboutthesame，andinalmosttheoppositedirection。Theprospectofthedoublejourneywasnotalluring。Theyouthhitonaschemetoshortenit。Firstglancingbacktoseethathisfatherwasnotlooking，heclimbedthebarestonyhillock，towardthelean-to；Ladpacingcourteouslyalongbesidehim。
Arrivedattheshed，hetookfromanailarope-length；tieditaroundLad\'sneck；fastenedthedogtooneoftheuprights；
shoulderedthecooking-utensilbag；andstartedbacktowardthecar。
Hehadsavedhimself，thus，alongerwalk；andhadobeyedhisfather\'sorderstotakeLadaway。HewascertaintheMaster，oroneoftheothers，missingthedog，wouldseehimstandingforlornlythere，justoutsidethelean-to\'scorner；orthatanothererrandwouldbringsomeofthepartytotheshedtoreleasehim。Atbest，theboywassoreofheartandofbody，athisownroughtreatment。Andhehadscantinterestanythingelse。
Twentyminuteslater，thetruckchuggedbumpilyoff，uponitstripdownthehazardousmountaintrack。Theguide\'sboyrodeintriumphontheseatbesidethetruckman；——apositionofhonorandofexcitement。
\"Where\'sLad？\"askedtheMistress，aminuteafterward，assheandtheMasterandtheguidemadereadytogetintothecarandfollow。
\"Aboardthetruck，\"respondedBarret，inentiregoodfaith。\"Himandmyboygota-skylarkin\'here。SoIsentBudovertothetruckwithhim。\"
\"That\'squeer！\"musedtheMistress。\"Why，Laddienevercondescendstoplay，——or\'skylark，\'asyoucallit，——withanyoneexceptmyhusbandormyself！He——\"
\"Nevermind！\"putintheMaster。\"We\'llcatchupwiththetruckbeforeit\'sgoneamile。AndwecantakeLaddieaboardhere，then。ButIwonderheconsentedtogoahead，withoutus。Thatisn\'tlikeLad。Holiday-spirits，Isuppose。Thistriphasmadeapuppyofhim。AstatelyoldgentlemanlikeLaddiewouldneverthinkofroundingupbearsandskunks，ifhewasathome。\"Ashetalked，thecargotunderway；movingatracketyandracking\"firstspeed\"overhummockandbump；asitjoggledintothefaintwheeltrack。ByreasonofthisnoiseandoftheMaster\'sstupidhomily，noneofthetrioheardanamazedlittlebark，fromtheknoll-top，ahundredyardsbehindthem。
Nordidthecarcatchupwiththetruck。Attheendofthefirsthalfmile，thehorribleroadbedbegantotaketolloftheelderlytires。Thereweretwopunctures，inrapidsuccession。Thencameablowout。And，atthebottomofthemountainathirdpuncturevariedthemonotonyoftheride。Thus，thetruckreachedthePlacewellaheadofthefastervehicle。
TheMistress\'sfirstquestionwasforLad。Terrorseizedupontheguide\'sboy，asherememberedwherehehadleftthedog。Heglancedobliquelyatthetruckman，whohadunloadedandwhowascranking。
\"Now——\"saidthescaredyouth，glibly，avoidinghisfather\'sunsuspectingeye。\"Now——now，Ladhewassettin\'\'twixtSimmonsandme。Andhehopsdownandrunsoffaroundthehouse，towards——towardsthelake——soonaswestoppedhere。Mostlikelyhewasthirsty-like，orsomething。\"
TheMistresswasbusywithdetailsofthecar\'sunpacking。Sosheacceptedtheexplanation。ItseemedprobablethatthelonganddustyrideshouldhavemadeLadthirsty；andthatafterhisdrinkatthelake，hehadmadetheroundsofthePlace；aseverwashiswontafterhisfewbriefabsencesfromhome。
Notuntildinnertimedidshegiveanotherthoughttoherlovedpet\'sabsence。Theguideandhisboyhadlongsincedeparted，onthetruck，fortheirten-miledistanthome。Nor，evenyet，diditoccurtotheMistresstoquestionthetruthoftheyoungster\'sstory。Shemerelywonderedwhy，forthefirsttimeinhislife，Ladshouldabsenthimselfatdinnertimefromhistime-honoredplaceonthedining-roomfloor，attheMaster\'sleft。And，amusedly，sherecalledwhatherhusbandhadsaidofthestatelydog\'snewpropensityformischief。PerhapsLadwasexploringthefriendlyhome-woodsinsearchofabear！
Butwhenteno\'clockcameandLaddidnotseektheshelterofhis\"cave\"underthemusic-roompiano，forthenight，therewasrealworry。TheMistresswentoutontheverandaandsoundedlongandshrillyuponthesilverwhistlewhichhungfromherbelt。
Frompuppyhood，Laddiehadalwayscome，atasweepinggallop，onsoundofthiswhistle。Itsnotescouldtravel，throughstillair，forahalfmileormore。Theirfaintestechoesalwaysbroughtthedogineagerresponse。Buttonight，adozenwait-punctuatedblastsbroughtnootherresponsethantosetthedistantvillagedogstobarking。
TheMistresswentbackintothehouse，genuinelyworried。Actingonasuddenidea，shecalledupthePlace\'ssuperintendent，atthegatelodge。
\"Youweredownherewhenthetruckcametothehousethisafternoon，weren\'tyou？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，ma\'am，\"saidtheman。\"Iwaswaitingforit。MikeandI
helpedSimmonstounload。\"
\"DidyouseewhichwayLadwent，whenhejumpedoutofthetruck？\"pursuedtheMistress。\"Orhaveanyofyouseenhimsincethen？\"
\"Why，no，ma\'am，\"camethepuzzledanswer。\"Ihaven\'tseenhimatall。Isupposedhewasinthecarwithyou，andthatmaybehe\'dbeeninthehouseeversince。Hewasn\'tonthetruck:That\'sonesurething。Isawitstop；andIstayedtilltheyfinishedemptyingit。Ladwasn\'tthere。\"
Therewasamoment\'spause。Then，theMistressspokeagain。Hervoiceslightlymuffled，shesaid:
\"Pleasefindoutifthereisplentyofgasinmycar；——enoughtotakeit——say，fortymiles。Thankyou。\"
\"Whatonearth——？\"begantheMaster，ashiswifeleftthetelephoneandpickedupanulster。
\"Laddiedidn\'tcomehomeonthetruck，\"shemadetremulousreply。
\"Andhewasn\'twithus。Hehasn\'tcomehomeall。\"
\"He\'llfindhisway，easilyenough，\"returnedtheMaster，albeitwithnogreatassurance。\"Lad\'sfoundhiswayfartherthanthat。
He——\"
\"Ifhewasgoingtofindhisway，\"interruptedtheMistress，\"he\'dhavefounditbeforenow。IknowLaddie。Sodoyou。Heisupthere。Andhecan\'tgetback。He——\"
\"Nonsense！\"laughedtheMaster。\"Why，ofcourse，he——\"
\"Heisupthere，\"insistedtheMistress，\"andhecan\'tgetback。
Iknowhimwellenoughtobe，surehe\'dhaveovertakenus，whenwestoppedallthosetimestofixthetires；——ifhehadbeenleftbehind。AndIknowsomethingelse:Whenwestartedon，afterthatfirstpuncture，wewereabouthalfamilebelowtheknoll。Andaswewentaroundthebend，therewasagapinthetrees。Iwaslookingback。Forasecond，Icouldseethelean-to，outlinedeversoclearlyagainstthesky。Andalongsideofitwasstandingsomeanimal。Itwasfaraway；andwepassedoutofsightsosuddenly，thatIcouldn\'tseewhatitwas；exceptthatitwaslargeanddark。Anditseemedtobestrugglingtomovefromwhereitstood。Iwasgoingtospeaktoyouaboutit，——IsupposeditwasthatblackbearofLaddie\'s，——whenwehadthenextpuncture。
Andthatmademeforgetallaboutit；——tillnow。Ofcourse，itneveroccurredtomeitcouldbeLad。BecauseBarrethadsaidhewasinthetruck。But——butoh，itWASLaddie！He——hewasfastened，orcaught，insomeway。Iknowhewas。Why，Icouldseehimstruggleto——\"
\"Comeon！\"brokeintheMaster，hustlingintohismackinaw。
\"Unlessyou\'llstayhere，whileI——\"
\"No，\"sheprotested。\"I\'mgoing。AndI\'mgoingbecauseI\'mthinkingofthesamethingthat\'stroublingyou。I\'mthinkingofthoseforestfiresandofwhatyousaidaboutthewindchangingand——\"
\"Comeon！\"repeatedtheMaster；startingforthegarage。
Whichshowshowmaudlinlyfoolishtwootherwisesanepeoplecanbe；whentheyareluckyenoughtoownsuchadogasSunnybankLad。Naturally，therightcourse，atsocoldandlateanhouroftheautumnnight，andafteralongdayofpackingandmotoringandunpacking，wastogotobed；andtotrusttoluckthatthewiseoldcolliewouldfindhiswaybackagain。Instead，thetwosetoffonatwenty-milewildgoosechase，withworriedfacesandfast-beatinghearts。Itdidnotoccurtoeitherofthemtostayathome；ortosendsomeoneelseonthelong，frostydriveinsearchofthemissingdog。
Ladhadwatchedthepreparationsfordeparturewithincreasingworry。Also，theabnormallysensitiveoldfellowwaswretchedlyunhappy。Exceptatdog-shows，hehadneverbeforebeentiedup。
Andatsuchshows，theMistressandtheMasterwerealwaysonhandtopetandreassurehim。Yet，here，hehadsufferedhimselftobetiedbyasmellyropetotherottingpostofalean-to，byacomparativestranger。And，intheopengroundbelowthehillock，hisdeitiesmovedbackandforthwithoutsomuchasanupwardglanceathim。
Then，tohisdismay，truckandcarhadmadeoffdownthemountainside；andhehadbeenleftaloneinhisimprisonment。
Exceptforasingleunheardbarkofprotest，Ladmadenoefforttocallbackthedepartinghumans。Neverbeforehadtheyforsakenhim。Andhehadfulltrustthattheywouldcomebackinafewminutesandsethimfree。
Whenthecarhalted，ahalf-milebelow，Ladfeltcertainhisfaithwasabouttobejustified。Then，asitmovedonagain，hesprangtotheendofhisshortrope，andtriedtobreakfreeandfollow。
Thencamethedyingawayofthechuggingmotor\'sechoes；andsilencerolledupandengulfedthewildernesshilltop。
Ladwasalone。Theyhadgoneoffandlefthim。Theyhadwithneverawordofgoodbyorafriendlycommandtowatchcampuntiltheirreturn。Thiswasnotthedog\'sfirstsojournincamp。Andhismemorywasflawless。Always，herecalled，thearrivalandtheloadingofthetruckandthestrikingoftentshadmeantthatthestaywasoverandthatatthepartywasgoinghome。
Home！Thecharmandnoveltyofthewildernessallatoncefaded。
Ladwasdesperatelylonelyanddesperatelyunhappy。Andhisfeelingswerecruellyhurt；atthestrangetreatmentaccordedhim。
Yet，itdidnotoccurtohimtoseekfreedomandtofollowhisgodstothehomeheloved。Hehadbeentiedhere，presumablybytheirorder；certainlywiththeirknowledge。Anditbehoovedhimtowaituntiltheyshouldcometoreleasehim。Heknewtheywouldcomeback，soonorlate。Theywerehisgods，hischums，hisplaymates。Theywouldnomoredeserthimthanhewouldhavedesertedthem。Itwasallright，somehow。Only，thewaitingwastedious！
Withatiredlittlesigh，thecolliecurledupinamiserableheaponthestonyground，theshortnessofhistethermakingeventhiseffortatreposeanythingbutcomfortable。Andhewaited。
Adog，thatishappyandwell，settleshimselfforaprolongedwait，bystretchingoutonhisside；——oftenesttheleftside；andbydroppingoffintoslumber。Seldom，unlesshebecoldorill，doesabigdogcurlupintoaball，torest。Norishethoroughlycomfortableinsuchaposture。
Ladwasnotcomfortable。Hewasnotresting。Hewaswretched。Nordidhetrytosnooze。Curledinacompactheap，hissorrowfuleyesabrimwithsorrow，helayscanningthebumpymountainsideandstraininghisears，forsignofthecar\'sreturn。Hisbreathingwasnotassplendidlyeasyasusual。For，increasingly，thatearliertwingeofacridsmoke-reekwasticklinghisthroat。
Thehaze，thathadhoveredoverthefartherhilltopsandvalleys，wasthickening；anditwascreepingnearer。Thebreathofmorningbreezewasstiffeningintoasteadywind；awindthatblewstrongfromthewestandcarriedonitthesmellofforestfire。
Laddidnotenjoytheever-strongersmokescent。Buthegaveonlyhalf-heedtoit。Hismainattentionwascenteredonthatwindingwagon-trackwhencethecarandthetruckhadvanishedintothelowlands。And，throughthesolemnlyspenthourshelayforlornlywatchingit。
But，aftersunset，thesmokebecametoopervasivetobeignoredlonger。Itwasnotonlystinginghisthroatandlungs，butitwasmakinghiseyessmart。Andithadcutofftheviewofallsavethenearermountain-peaks。
Ladgottohisfeet；whiningsoftly，underhisbreath。Ancestralinstinctwasfairlyshoutingtohisbrainthatherewasterribleperil。Hestrainedathisthickrope；andlookedimploringlydownthewagon-road。
Thewindhadswelledintosomethinglikeagale。And，now，toLad\'skeenearscamethefar-offsnapandcrackofamilliondrytwigsastheflamekissedtheminitsfast-crawlingadvance。Thissharpersoundroseandfell，asathemetotheendlessandslowly-augmentingroarwhichhadbeenperceptibleforhours。
Again，Laddiestrainedathisheavyrope。Again，hissmoke-stungeyesexploredthewindingtraildownthemountain。Nolongerwasthetrailsodistinguishableasbefore。Notonlybyreasonofdarkness，butbecausefromthatdirectioncamethebulkoftheeddyinggustsofwind-drivensmoke。
Thefire\'smountingcoursewasparallelingthetrail；checkedfromcrossingitonlybyastreambedandanoutcropofgranitewhichzigzaggedupwardfromthevalley。Thedarknessservedalsototingetheloweringskytosouthandtowestwardwithasteadilybrighteningluridglare。TheMasterhadbeenrightinhisglumprophecythatastrongandsuddenshiftofwindwouldcarrytheconflagrationthroughthetinder-dryundergrowthanddeadtreesofthatsideofthemountain，farfasterthananybodyoffire-fighterscouldhopetocheckit。
Theflame-reflectionbegantolighttheopenspacesbelowtheknoll，withincreasingvividness。Thechillofearlyeveningwascounteractedwavesofsullenheat，whichthewindsentswirlingbeforeit。
Ladpanted；fromwarmthasmuchasfromnervousness。Hehadgonealldaywithoutwater。Andacollie，moreperhapsthananyotherdog，needsplentyoffresh，coolwatertodrink；atanyandalltimes。Thehotwindandthesmokewereparchinghisthroat。Histhirstwasintolerable。
Behindhim，notverymanyyardsaway，wastheice-coldmountainlakeletinwhichsooftenhehadbathedanddrunk。Thethoughtofitmadehimhatethestoutrope。
Buthemadenoseriousefforttofreehimself。Hehadbeentiedthere，——supposedlybytheMaster\'scommand。And，asawell-traineddog，itwashisplacetostaywherehewas，untiltheMastershouldfreehim。So，apartfromaninstinctivetugortwoathismoorings，hesubmittedtohisfate。
But，inmid-evening，somethingoccurred，tochangehisviewpoint，inthismatterofnonresistance。
Thelineoffire，climbingthemountaintowardhim，hadencounteredamarshystretch；where，innormalweather，waterstoodinchesdeep。Despitethedrought，therewasstillenoughmoisturetostaytheadvanceoftheredlineuntilthedampnesscouldbeturnedtodustandtinderyvegetation。And，inthemeanwhile，afterthecustomofitskind，thefirehadsoughttospreadtoeitherside。Stoppedatthegranite-outcroptotheright，ithadrolledfasterthroughtheherbagetotheleft。
Thus，bythetimethemorasswasdryenoughfortheflametopassit，therewasagreatsickleofcrawlingredfiretotheleft；
whichencircledawholeflankofthemountainandwhichwasmovingstraightupward。
Ladknewnothingofthis；norwhytheadvanceofthefire\'sdirectlinehadbeensolongchecked。Nordidheknow，presumably，thatthissickleofflamewasgirdlingthemountain-flank；likeamurderousnet；hemminginalllivethingswithintheflamingarcandforcingthemoninpanic，aheadofitsadvance。Perhapshedidnotevennotethemadscurryingsinundergrowthandbramble，infrontoftheoncomingblaze。Butonething，veryspeedily，becameapparenttohim:——
Fromoutascreenofhazelandwitch-elmalmostdirectlyinfrontoftheplacewherethetruck，thatmorning，hadbeenloadedcrashedarighthideousobject。BysightandbyscentLadknewthecreatureforhisoldenfoe，thegiantblackbear。
Growling，squealing，adozenstingingfierysparkssizzlingthroughhisbushycoat，thebeartorehiswayfromthehedgeofthicketandoutintotheopen。Thefirehadrousedhimfromhissnuglairandhaddrivenhimaheadofitwithamyriadhornetsofflame，inacrazedsearchforsafety。
Atsightoftheformidablemonster，Ladrealizedforthefirsttimethefullextentofhisownhelplessness。Tetheredtoaropewhichgavehimscarcetwenty-fiveinchesofleeway，hewasinnofitconditiontofendoffthegiant\'sassault。
Hewastednotimeinfutilestruggles。Allhisrace\'suncannypowersofresourcecamerushingtohisaid。Withoutaninstant\'spause，hewheeledabout；anddrovehiskeenteethintotheropethatboundhimtothepost。
Laddidnotchewaimlesslyatthethicktether；northrowawayoneounceofuselessenergy。Seizingthehempenstrands，hegroundhisteethdeeplyandwithscientificskill，intotheirfrayingrecesses。Thusdoesadog，addictedtocuttinghisleash，attackthebondswhichholdhim。
ItwasLad\'sfirstexperienceofthekind。Butinstinctservedhimwell。Thefactthattheropehadbeenleftoutofdoors，inallweathers，forseveralyears，servedhimfarbetter。Notonlydiditseverthemoreeasily；butitsoonlostthecohesionneededforresistinganystrongpull。
Thebear，lurchinghalf-blindly，hadreeledoutintotheopen，belowtheknoll。There，pantingandgrunting，heturnedtoblinkattheoncomingfireandtogethisdirection。Forperhapsahalf-minutehestoodthus；ormadelittlefutilerushesfromsidetoside。AndthisbreathingspacewastakenupbyLadinthegnawingoftherope。
Then，whilethecolliewasstilltoilingoverthehempenmouthfuls，thebearseemedtorecoverhisownwontedcleverness；
andtorealizehiswhereabouts。Straightupthehillockhecharged，towardthelean-to；hissplayfeetdislodginginnumerablesurfacestonesfromtherockysteep；andsendingthembehindhiminaseriesoftinyavalanches。
Lad，oneeyeeveronhisfoe，sawtheonrush。Fiercelyheredoubledhiseffortstobitethroughtherope，beforethebearshouldbeuponhim。Butthetaskwasnotonetobeachievedinahandfulofseconds。
Movingwithaswiftnessamazingforananimalofhisclumsybulk，thebearswarmedupthehillock。Hegainedthesummit；notthreeyardsfromwhereLaddiestruggled。Andthecollieknewtheropewasnotmorethanhalfgnawedthrough。Therewasnofurthertimeforbitingatit。Theenemywasuponhim。
Feardidnotenterthebigdog\'ssoul。Yethegrievedthatthedeath-battleshouldfindhimsopitifullyill-prepared。And，abandoningtheworkofself-release，heflunghimselfraginglyattheadvancingbear。
Then，twothingshappened。Twothings，onneitherofwhichthedogcouldhavecounted。Thebearwaswithinahand\'sbreadthofhim；andwasstillcharging，headlong。Buthelookedneithertorightnortoleft。SeeminglyignorantofLad\'spresence，thehugebrutetorepasthim，almostgrazingthecollieinhisinsanerush；andspedstraightontowardthelakebeyond。
Thatwasoneofthetwounforeseenhappenings。Theotherwasthesnappingoftherottedrope，underthewrenchofLad\'sfuriousleap。
Free，andwiththeseveredrope\'sloopstilldanglinguselesslyfromaroundhisshaggythroat，thedogstoodstaringinblankamazeafterhisformeradversary。Hesawthebearreachthemarginoftheicylakeandplungenosedeepintoitsshelteringwaters。Here，asBruin\'sinstinctorexperiencehadforetold，noforestfirecouldharmhim。HeneedbutwallowthereuntiltheRedTerrorshouldhavesweptpastanduntilthescorchedgroundshouldbeoncemorecoolenoughtowalkon。
Ladturnedagaintowardtheslope。Hewasfree，now，tofollowthewagontracktothemainroadandsohomeward，guidedperhapsbymemory，perhapsbyscent；mostprobablyguidedbythemysticsixthsensewhichhasmorethanonceenabledcolliestofindtheirway，overhundredsofmilesofstrangeterritory，backtotheirhomes。
But，inthepastfewminutes，thefire\'sserpent-likecoursehadtakenanewtwist。Ithadflungvolleysofsparksacrosstheupperreachofgraniterock-wall，andhadigniteddrywoodandbrierontherighthandsideofthetrack。This，farupthemountain，almostattheveryfootoftherock-hillock。
Thewaytohomewasbarredbyathree-foot-highcracklingfenceofred-goldflame；aflamewhichnosedhungrilyagainstthebarrenrocksoftheknoll-foot；asifseekinginravenousfaminethefueltheirbaresurfacesdeniedit。
Andnow，thesideofthehillockshowedothersignsofforestlife。Upthesteepslopethunderedasix-antleredbuck，snortingshrillyinpanicandflyingtowardthecoolrefugeofthelittlelake。
Farmoreslowly，butwitheverytiredmuscleastrain，afatporcupinewasmountingthehill；itsclawsdiggingfranticallyforfootholdamongtheslipperystones。Itseemedtoflow，ratherthantorun。Andasithurriedon，itchuckledandscolded，likesomeidiotchild。
Abevyofsquirrelsscamperedpastit。Alongsnake，rousedfromitsstonywinterlair，writhedeerilyuptheslope，heedlessofitsfellowtravelers\'existence。Araccoonwasbreastingthesteep，fromanotherangle。Andbehinditcameclawingaround-paunchedopossum；grinningfromthepainofsparksthatwerestingingittoahatedactivity。
Thewildernesswasgivingupitssecrets，withavengeance。AndtheRedTerror，asever，wasenforcingatruceamongtheforest-folk；atrucebredofstarkfear。Oneandall——ofthosethathadbeenarousedintimetogetclearoftheoncomingfierysickle——thefugitivesweremakingforthecoolsafetyofthelake。
Ladscarcesawornotedanyofhiscompanions。Theroadtohomewasbarred。And，again，ancestralinstinctandhisownalertwitcametohisaid。Turningabout，andwithnohintoffearinhisgaitorinthesteadydarkeyes，hetrottedtowardthelake。
Alreadythebearhadreacheditssoothingrefuge；andwasstandinghipdeepintheblackwaters；nowandthenduckinghisheadandtossingshowersofcoldsprayoverhisscorchedshoulder-fur。
Ladtrottedtothebrink。There，stooping——notfiftyfeetawayfromBruin——helappedthirstilyuntilhehadatlastdrunkhisfill。Then，lookingbackonceinthedirectionofthefire-line，helaydown，verydaintilyindeed，inshallowwater；andpreparedtoenjoyhisliberty。Scourgedbynoneofthehideousfearwhichhadgoadedhisfellowfugitives，hewatchedwithgraveinterestthearrivalofoneafteranotheroftherefugees；astheycamescurryingwildlydowntothewater。
Ladwascomfortable。Here，thesmoke-reekstunglessacutely。
Here，too，weregratefuldarkness，afterthetorridglareofthefire，andcoldwaterandsecurity。Herewerealsomanydivertingcreaturestowatch。Itwouldhavebeenpleasanttogohomeatonce。But，sincethatwasoutofthequestion，therewerefarworsethingsthantolieinterestedlyateaseuntiltheMastershouldcomeforhim。
Thefireragedandflickeredalongthebaseofthebarerockyknoll；and，findingnopathofadvance，turnedbackonitself，fire-fashion；seekingnewoutlet。Thethinlineofbushesandotherundergrowthatthehillock\'sfootwerequicklyconsumed；
leavingonlyabroadbedofemberandspark。Andtheconflagrationsweptontotheleft，overtheonlycourseopentoit。Totheright，themultipleridgesofrockandthedearthofvegetationweresufficient\"NoThoroughfare\"enforcement。
Thissameoddrock-formationhadkeptthewagontrackclear，uptothetwistwhereitboretoleftwardatthebaseoftheknoll。
AndtheMistressandtheMasterwereabletoguidetheirrattlinglyprotestingcarinsafetyupthetrailfromthemainroadfarbelow。Thesetofthewindpreventedthemfrombeingblindedorconfusedbysmoke。Apartfromasmartingoftheeyesandarecurrentseriesofheatwaves，theymadetheclimbwithnogreatdiscomfort；——untilthefinalturnbroughtthemtoanabrupthaltatthespotwherethewideswathofredcoalsandflamingashesmarkedtheburningofthehillockfootbushes。
TheMasterjumpedtoearthandstoodconfrontingtheluridstretchofashandemberwith，hereandthere，abushstumpstillcracklingmerrily。Itwasnotasafebarriertocross；thistwenty-foot-widefierystretch。Nor，formanyrodsineitherdirection，wasthereanywayaroundit。
\"There\'sonecomfort，\"theMasterwassaying，ashebegantoexploreforanopeningintheredscarfofcoals，\"thefirehasn\'tgottenuptothecamp-site。He——\"
\"Butthesmokehas，\"saidtheMistress，whohadbeenpeeringvainlythroughthehazecurtaintowardthesummit。\"Andsohastheheat。Ifonly——\"
Shebrokeoff，withacatchinhersweetvoice。And，scarcerealizingwhatshedid，sheputthesilverwhistletoherlipsandblewapiercinglyloudblast。
\"What\'sthatfor？\"askedtheMaster，crankily，worryoverhisbeloveddogmakinghisnervesraw。\"IfLad\'salive，he\'sfastenedthere。Yousayyousawhimstrugglingtogetloose，thismorning。
Hecan\'tcome，whenhehearsthatwhistle。There\'snosensein——Howinblueblazesheevergotfastenedthere，——ifhereallywas，——ismorethanIcan——\"
\"Hush！\"beggedtheMistress，breakinginonhisgrumbledmonologue。\"Listen！\"
Outofthedarkness，beyondtheknoll-top，camethesoundofabark，——thecleartrumpetingwelcome-barkwhichLadreservedfortheMistressandtheMaster，alone；ontheirreturnfromanyabsence。
Throughthenightitechoed，gaily，defiantly；againandagain；
ringingoutabovetheobscenehissandcrackleandroaroftheforest-fire。Andateveryrepetition，itwasnearerandnearerthedumfoundedlistenersattheknollfoot。
\"It\'s——it\'sLaddie！\"criedtheMistress，inwonderingrapture。
\"Oh，it\'sLADDIE！\"
TheMaster，hearingthegladracket，didathoroughlyasininething。Drawinginhisbreathandholdinghiscoatinfrontofhim，hepreparedtomakeadashthroughthewidesmearofembers，tothehilltop；where，presumably，Ladwasstilltied。But，beforehecouldtakethefirststep，theMistressstayedhim。
\"Look！\"shecried，pointingtothehithersideoftheknoll；
lividlybrightintheember-glow。
Downthesteepwasgallopingatbreakneckspeedagreat，tawnyshape。Barkingrapturously，——evenashehadbarkedwhenfirstthewhistle\'sblasthadrousedhimfromhislazyreposeinthelakesideshallows，——Ladcamewhizzingtowardthetwohumanswhowatchedsoincredulouslyhiswildapproach。
TheMaster，belatedly，sawthatthecolliecouldnotavoidcrashingintothespreadofembers；andheopenedhismouthtoorderLadback。Buttherewasnottime。
Foronce，thewisedogtooknoheedofeventhesimplestcaution。
Hislostandadoreddeitieshadcalledhimandwereawaitinghim。
ThatwasallLadkneworcared。Theyhadcomebackforhim。Hishorriblevigilandlonelinessandhisdeadlyperilwereended。
Tooinsanelyhappytonotewherehewastreading，hesprangintotheverycenterofthebeltofsmolderingcoals。Histinywhiteforefeet——drenchedwithicywater——didnotremainamongthemlongenoughtofeelpain。IntwomoreboundshehadclearedthebarrierandwasdancingincrazyexcitementaroundtheMistressandtheMaster；pattingatthemwithhisscorchedfeet；lickingtheireagerlycaressinghands；\"talking\"inadozendifferentkeysofrapture，hiswhimpersandgrowlsandgurglesrunningtheentiregamutoflong-pent-upemotions。
Hiscoatandhisfeethad，forhours，beenimmersedinthecoldwaterofthelake。And，hehadfledthroughtheembersatexpress-trainspeed。Scarceablistermarkedthehazardouspassage。ButLadwouldnothavecaredforalltheblistersandburnsonearth。Hisdeargodshadcomebacktohim，——evenashehadknowntheywould！
Oncemore，——andforthethousandthtime——theyhadjustifiedhisdivineFaithinthem。Nothingelsemattered。
CHAPTERIX。OldDog；NewTricksAmildewedmaximruns:\"Youcan\'tteachanolddognewtricks。\"
Someproverbslivebecausetheyaretootruetodie。Othersendurebecausetheyhaveasmugsoundandbecausenobodyhasbotheredtoburythem。Theoneaboutolddogsandnewtricksbelongsinbothcategories。Inasenseitistrue。Inanotheritisnot。
Toteachtheaverageelderlydogtositupandbeg，ortorollovertwice，ortodootheroftheasininethingswithwhichhumansstultifythenaturalgoodsenseoftheircaninechums，isashardastoteachasixty-year-oldgrave-diggertobecomeamusicalcomposer。
Butnodogwithafullsetofbrainsiseverpastlearningnewthingswhichareactuallyneedfulforhimtolearn。And，sadtosay，manyanolddog，onhisownaccount，picksupoddnewaccomplishments——exploitswhichwouldneverhaveoccurredtohiminhisearlyprime。Nobodyknowswhy。Butithashappened，numberlesstimes。
AndsoitwaswithSunnybankLad。
Laddiehadpassedhistwelfthbirthday；when，bysomestrangefreak，hebroughthomeonedayalaceparasol。Hehadfounditinthehighroad，onhiswaybacktothePlaceafterasedaterambleintheforest。Now，itwasnothingnewforthegreatcollietofindmissingarticlesbelongingtotheMistressortotheMaster。
Everynowandthenhewouldlayattheirfeetatobaccopouchorahandkerchieforabunchofkeysthathadbeendropped，carelessly，somewhereonthegrounds；andwhichLadrecognized，byscent，asbelongingtooneofthetwohumansheloved。
Thesebitsoftreasuretrove，hedelightedinfindingandrestoring。Yes，and——thoughthosewhohadneverseenhimdothiswerepronetodoubtit——hewascertaintolaytherecoveredobjectatthefeetofwhicheverofthetwohadlostit。Forinstance，itneveroccurredtohimtodropafilmysquareoflace-and-cambricatthemuddiedfeetoftheMaster；orasmellyoldtobacco-pouchattheMistress\'slittlefeet。
Therewasnothingmiraculousaboutthisknowledge。Toahigh-breddog，everyhumanofhisacquaintancehasadistinctivescent；
whichcannotbemistaken。Ladusednooccultpowerinnreturningtotherightfulowneranyarticlehechancedtofindonlawnoronveranda。
Butthelaceparasolwasdifferent。That，presumably，hadfallenfromsomepassingmotor-car。boundforTuxedoorfortheBerkshires。ItdidnotbelongatthePlace。
Ladhappenedtoseeit，lyingthereinthehighway。Andhebroughtit，forthwith，tothehouse；carryingitdaintilybetweenhismightyjaws；andlayingitontheliving-roomfloorinfrontoftheastonishedMistress。Probably，helaiditbeforeher，insteadofbeforetheMaster，becauseshewasthefirstofthetwowhomhehappenedtoencounter。Itisdoubtfulifherealizedthataparasolisapurelyfeminineadjunct；——althoughtheMistressalwaysdeclaredhedid。
Shepickedupthegiftandlookeditoverwithrealadmiration。
Itwasaflimsilybeautifulandcostlything；whoseivoryhandlewasdeftlycarvenandsetwithseveraluncutstones；andwhosedeepfringeoflacewastrueVenetianPoint。
\"Why，Laddie！\"sheexclaimed，inwonderingdelight。\"Whereintheworlddidyougetthis？Look！\"shewenton，asherhusbandcameinfromhisstudy。\"SeewhatLaddiebroughtme！Isawhimcomingdownthedrivewithsomethinginhismouth。ButIhadnoideawhatitwas。Isn\'titabeauty？Wheredoyousupposehe——？\"
\"Aslongasmotoristsgoaroundcurvesatfortymilesanhour，\"
decidedtheMaster，\"solongtheirpiled-upvaluablesarelikelytobejostledoutofthetonneau。Ifoundasatchel，lastweek，atthecurve，upthere，youremember；andahat，theweekbefore。
Whatareyougoingtodoaboutthisthing？\"
\"Oh，\"saidtheMistress，withasighofrenunciation，\"Isupposewe\'llhavetoadvertiseit；andwatchthe\'LostandFound\'
columns，too。But——wouldn\'titbegloriousifnobodyshouldseeouradvertisementor——oreveradvertiseforit？It\'ssolovely！I
hatetothinkitmaybelongtosomebodywhocan\'tappreciateitasIdo。\"
Now，LaddiehadlivedonthePlaceformanymoreyearsthanhecouldremember。Andhehadspentthebulkofthattimeinstudyingthefacesandthevoicesandthemoodsofthesetwopeoplewhomheworshiped。Moreover，hehadanintelligencethatisnotgiventomostdogs，——eventocollies——andaqueerpsychictwisttohisbrainthathadpuzzledhisownersasmuchasithaddelightedthem:
WatchingtheMistress，now，withhisclassicheadononesideandhisdeep-setdarkeyesfixedonhereagerface，hesawthathisroadwaygifthadmadeherveryhappy。Also，thathercaressinghandonhisheadshowedprideinwhathehaddone。Andthis，asever，thrilledtheolddog，totheverysoul。
Hewaggedhisplumedtail，ingladness，andthrusthisnoseintoherpalmandbeganto\"talk\"ingleefultreble。TononebuttheMistressandtheMasterwouldLaddeignto\"talk。\"And，nonelisteningtohimcoulddoubthewastryingtocopythehumanvoiceandhumanmeanings。
\"DearoldLaddie！\"praisedtheMistress，runningherfingersthroughhislion-likeruff。\"GOODLaddie！，Thankyou，eversomuch！Nobodybutavery，VERYwonderfulcollienamedLadcouldhavehadtheperfecttastetopickoutsuchaparasol。Andnowwe\'regoingtohaveawholehandfulofanimalcrackers，forreward。\"
Thecrooninglysweetvoice，thepetting，thegiftofanimalcrackersofwhichhewaschildishlyfond——allthesedelightedLadbeyondmeasure。Andtheyconfirmedhiminthebeliefthathehaddonesomethingmostlaudable。
Whathehaddonewastopickupastrayobject，awayfromhome，andbringittotheMistress。Heknewthat。Andthatwasallheknew。But，havingwonhighpraiseforthedeed，heresolvedthenandtheretorepeatit。
Whichprovesthatolddogscanbetaughtnewtricks。Andwhichstartedallthetrouble。
Thatafternoon，theMistressandtheMasterwentforafive-mileramblethroughthewoodsandoverthemountains，backofthePlace。WiththemwentoldLaddie，whopacedgravelybetweenthem。
Withthem，also，wentBruce，themagnificentdarksablecollieofkinglylookanddemeanor；whowassecondonlytoLadinhumantraitsandsecondtonolivinganimalinbeauty。Brucewasglorioustolookupon。Inphysiqueandincharacterhehadnotaflaw。TherewasastrangesweetnesstohisdispositionthatI
havefoundinnootherdog。
WithLadandBruce，onthiswalk，racedLad\'sfierylittlegoldenson，Wolf。
Ofold，Ladhadledsuchruns。Now，advancingageandincreasedweighthadbeguntomakehimcharyofthrowingawayhisfadingenergies。Wherefore，hewalkedbetweenhistwodeities；andletthetwoyoungerdogsdothegallopingandrabbitchasing。
Andhehadhisreward。For，astheynearedthehighroadonthewayhome，WolfandBrucechancedtotreeasquirrel。Thus，Ladwasfirsttoreachtheroadwiththetwohumans。Suddenly，he。
dartedaheadofthem；andsnatchedupfromthewaysidethesomewhatworncaseofathermosbottlewhichhadbeendiscardedthereorhadfallenfromacar-seat。ThisheboretotheMistress；fairlyvibratingwithprideinhisownexploit。
Notinghisjoyinthedeed，shemademuchoftheshabbygift；
praisingandthankingLad，inordinately；andforbearingtothrowawaytheworncaseuntilthecolliewasoutofsight。
Oflate，asLaddiebegantoshowsignsofage，sheandtheMasterhadtakentomakingmoreandmoreofhim；toatoneforhisgrowingfeeblenessandtoanticipatethedarkdaywhicheverydog-ownermustface；——thedaywhenhisvoiceandhiscaresscannolongermeananythingtothepetwhooncerejoicedsoutterlyinthem。
AllofwhichwenttoconfirmLadinthenaturalbeliefthatanythingfoundontheroadandbroughttotheMistresswouldbelookedonwithjoyandwouldearnhimmuchgratitude。So，——asmightahumaninlikecircumstances，——heceasedtocontenthimselfwithpickinguptriflesthatchancedtobelyinginhispath，inthehighway，andfelltosearchingforsuchflotsamandjetsam。
Hebeganthehunt，nextmorning。Pacinggravelyalongthecenteroftheroad，heheadedtowardthemile-distantvillage。Bysheerluck，suchfewautomobilesaschancedalong，atthathour，weredrivenbyfolkwhohadheartenoughtoslowdownortoturnasideforthemajesticallystrollingolddog。Totheendofhislonglife，Ladcouldneverbemadetounderstandthathewasnotentitledtowalkatwillintheexactmiddleoftheroad。Perhapshisloftyassuranceintakingsuchacoursemademotoristscheckspeedtosparehim。
Thismorning，hehadfaredbutahalf-milewhenhesawacardrawnupattheedgeoftheroad，besideashadedbitofturf。
Severalpeoplehadjustdescendedfromit；andweremakingpreparationsforanearlypicniclunch。Oneofthemhadfinisheddepositingabasketontheground，atthesideofthecarfarthestfromthestripofswardwheretheotherswerespreadingasea-rugandsettinganimpromptutable。
Themanputthebasketdownintheroad。Thenhedivedbackintothenetherregionsofthemachineformoreprovender。AndhewasengagedinthisgropingwhenLadcameinview，aroundabend。
Thebigcolliesawthebasketstandingthere，unprotectedand，sofarasheknew，ownerless。Gravelyhesteppedforward，liftedtheheavyreceptaclebythehandleandturnedaboutwithit；stillmovingwithdignifiedslowness。Thetable-setterswerebusy；andthecarwasbetweenhimandthem。
Bythetimetheothermemberofthepartysucceededinfindingthethingshewasseekingundertherearseat，Ladhadroundedthebendandwasoutofsight。Tothisday，noneofthemotoristshastheremotestsolutiontothemysteryofthevanishedlunch。
Ladhadnotstolenthebasket。Hewouldhavesufferedhimselftobecutinthree，beforesinkingtotheftortoanyothersneakingact。Hehadfoundabasketstandingaloneinthehighroad，severalfeetawayfromthenearesthumans。Hehadnowayofguessingitbelongedtothem。Sofarashewasconcerned，thiswasasmuchalostarticleashadbeenthegorgeousparasol。HehadbeenpraisedtotheskiesforbringingtheparasolandthethermoscasetotheMistress。Hehadeveryreasontoexpectthesamemeedofpraiseforthisnewgift。
Indeed，toLad\'swayofthinking，hemightwellhopeforevenhigherpraise。Fortheparasolhadbeenanodorlessandfoolishthingofnoapparentusefulness；whilethisbasketexhaledmostheavenlyscentsoffriedchickenandotherdelectablefoods。