"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。