1922
　　CHAPTERI。TheDerelictLinkFerriswasafighter。Notbynature，norbychoice，buttokeepalive。
　　Hisbattlegroundcoveredanareaoffortyacres——broken，scrubby，uncertainside—hillacres，atthat。Inbrief，aworked—outfarmamongthemountainslopesoftheNorthJerseyhinterland；sixmilesfromthenearestrailroad。
　　ThefarmwasFerris’s，byrightofsoleheritagefromhisfather，aCivil—Warveteran，whohadtakenupthewildernesslandin1865
　　andwho，forthirtyyearsthereafter，hadwroughttomakeitpay。
　　AtbesttheelderFerrishadwrenchedonlyameagerlivingfromthelightandrock—infestedsoil。
　　Thefirst—growthtimberonthewestwoodlotforsometimehadstavedofftheneedofamortgage；itsveteranoaksandhickoriesgrimlygivinguptheirlives，inhundreds，tokeepthewolffromthedooroftheirowner。WhenthelastofthesalabletimberwasgoneOldManFerristriedhishandattruckfarming，andsoldhiswaresfromawagontothedenizensofCraigswold，thenewcolonyofrichfolk，fourmilestonorthward。
　　ButtoraisesuchvegetablesandfruitsaswouldtempttheeyesandthepursesofCraigswoldpeopleitwasnecessarytohavemorethanmerezealandindustry。Sourgroundwillnotreadilyyieldsweetabundance，bethetoilereversoindustrious。Moreover，therewaslargeandgrowingcompetition，intheformofotherhucksterroutes。
　　Andpresentlytheoldveteranweariedoftheeternaluphillstruggle。Hemortgagedthefarm，dyingsoonafterward。AndLink，hisson，waslefttocarryonthethanklesstask。
　　LinkFerriswasasmuchapartoftheFerrisfarmaswasthegiantbowlderinthesouthmowing。Hehadbeenborninthepaintlessshackwhichhisfatherhadbuiltwithhisownrheumatichands。Hehadworkedformorethanaquartercentury，inandoutofthehillfieldsandtheramshacklebarns。Frombabyhoodhehadtoiledthere。Scanthadbeenthechancesforschooling，andmorescanthadbeentheopportunitiesforoutsideinfluence。
　　Wherefore，Linkhadgrowntoawirilyweedyandslouchingmanhood，almostasignorantoftheworldbeyondhismountainwallsaswereanyofhisown"critters。"Hislifewasboundedbyfruitlesslabor，variedonlybysuchsleepandfoodasmightfithimtolabortheharder。
　　Heateandslept，thathemightbeabletowork。Andheworked，thathemightbeabletoeatandsleep。Beyondthat，hislifewasasbarrenasarainysea。
　　Ifhedreamedofotherandwiderthings，theworkadaygrindspeedilysetsuchdreamstorout。Whenthegnawingoflonelyunrestwastooacuteforbovineendurance——andwhenhecouldsparethetimeorthemoney——hewaswonttogotothemile—offhamletofHamptonandtheregetasnearlydrunkashisfundswouldpermit。
　　Itwashisonlysurcease。Andasarule，itwasapoorone。Forseldomdidhehaveenoughreadymoneytobuywholesaleforgetfulness。Moreoftenhewasabletopurchaseonlyenoughhardciderorfuseloilwhiskytomakehimdullandvaguelymiserable。
　　ItwasonhiswayhomeoneSaturdaynightfromsucharudimentarydebauchatHamptonthathisAdventurehaditssmallbeginning。
　　ForahalfmileorsoofLink’shomewardpilgrimage——beforeheturnedoffintothegrass—grown，ruttedhilltrailwhichledtohisfarm——hiswayledalongaspurofthestateroadwhichlinkedNewYorkCitywiththeRamapohillcountry。
　　Andhere，asLinkswungglumlyalongthroughthespringtidedusk，hisearswereassailedbyasoundthatwassomethingbetweenasighandasob——asoundasofonewhotriesvaliantlytostifleawhimperofsharppain。
　　Ferrishalted，uncertain，attheroadedge；andpeeredabouthim。
　　Againheheardthesound。Andthistimehelocateditinthelonggrassofthewaysideditch。Thegrasswasstirringspasmodically，too，aswiththehalf—restrainedwrithingsofsomethinglyingclosetoearththere。
　　Linkstruckamatch。Shieldingtheflame，hepushedthetangleofgrasstoonesidewithhisfoot。
　　There，exposedinthenarrowspacethusclearedandbythenarrowerradiusofmatchflare，crouchedadog。
　　Thebrutewashuddledinacrumpledheap，withoneforelegstuckawkwardlyoutinfrontofhimatanimpossibleangle。Histawnymassofcoatwasmiredandoilstreaked。Inhisdeep—setbrowneyesburnedthefiresofagony。
　　Yet，ashelookedupatthemanwhobentabovehim，thedog’sgazewasneitherfiercenorcringing。Itheldrathersuchanexpressionas，Dumastellsus，thewoundedAthosturnedtoD’Artagnan——theaspectofoneinsoreneedofaid，andtooproudtopleadforit。
　　LinkFerrishadneverheardofDumas，noroftheimmortalmusketeer。Nonetheless，hecouldreadthatlook。Anditappealedtohim，asnohowlofanguishcouldhaveappealed。Hekneltbesidethesufferingdogandfelltoexamininghishurts。
　　Thedogwasacollie——beautifulofhead，sweepinglygracefulofline，powerfulandheavycoated。Themudonhisexpanseofsnowychestfrillandthegreaseonhisdarkbrownbackwereeasytoaccountfor，eventoLinkFerris’snone—too—keenimagination。
　　Link，inhisownoccasionaltrudgesalongthisbitofstateroad，hadoftenseencostlydogsinthetonneausofpassingcars。Hehadseenseveralofthemscramblefranticallytomaintaintheirfootingontheslipperyseatsofsuchcars；whenchauffeurstookthesharpcurve，justahead，attoohighspeed。HehadevenseenoneAiredaleflungbodilyfromacar’srearseatatthatcurve，andoutintotheroadway；whereaclose—followingmotorhadrunoverandkilledit。
　　Thiscollie，doubtless，hadhadsuchafall；and，unseenbythefrontseat’soccupants，hadstruckgroundwithterrificforce——aforcethathadsenthimwhirlingthroughmudandgreaseintotheditch，withabrokenfrontleg。
　　HowlongthebeasthadlainthereLinkhadnowayofguessing。
　　Butthedogwasinmortalagony。Andthekindestthingtodowastoputhimoutofhispain。
　　Ferrisgropedaroundthroughthegloomuntil，intheditch，hisfingersclosedoveraten—poundstone。Onesmashingblowonthehead，withthismissile，wouldbringaswiftandmercifulendtothesufferer’stroubles。
　　Poisingthestonealoft，Linkturnedbacktowherethedoglay。
　　Standingoverthevictim，hebalancedtherockandtensedhismusclesfortheblow。Thematchhadlongsincegoneout，butLink’sdusk—accustomedvisioncouldreadilydiscerntheoutlinesofthecollie。Andhemadereadytostrike。
　　Then——perhapsitwasthedrinkplayingtrickswithFerris’smind——itseemedtohimthathecouldstillseethosedeep—setdarkeyesstaringupathimthroughthemurk，withthatsamefearlessandyetpiteouslookintheirdepths。Itwasalookthatthebriefsputterofmatch—lighthadphotographedonLink’sbrain。
　　"I——Iain’tgotthehearttoswatyouwhileyoukeeplookin’thatwayatme，"hemutteredhalf—aloud，asiftoahumancompanion。
　　"Jes’youturnyourheadtheotherway，pup!It’llbeoverquick，an’easy。"
　　BythefaintlightLinkcouldseethedoghadnotobeyedtheordertoturnhishead。Butattheman’stoneofcompassionthegreatplumytailbegantothumpthegroundinfeebleresponse。
　　"H’m!"gruntedLink，lettingthestonedroptotheroad，"gotnerve，too，ain’tyou，friend？’Tain’teverycussthatcanwaghistailwhenhisleg’sbust。"
　　Kneelingdownagainheexaminedthebrokenforelegmorecarefully。Gentleaswashistouch，yetLinkknewitmustcauseinfinitetorture。Butthedogdidnotflinch。HeseemedtounderstandthatFerrismeantkindly，forhemovedhismagnificentheadfarenoughtolicktheman’shandsoftlyandingratitude。
　　ThecaresshadanoddeffectonthelovelessFerris。Itwasthefirstvoluntarymarkofaffectionhehadencounteredforlongerthanhelikedtoremember。Itsetoldmemoriestoworking。
　　TheFerrisfarm，sinceLink’sbirth，hadbeenperhapstheonlyhomeinallthatwildregionwhichdidnotboastadogofsomekind。Link’sfatherhadhadaninbornhatredofdogs。Hewouldnotallowoneontheplace。Hisovertexcusewasthattheykilledsheepandworriedcattle，andthathecouldnotaffordtoriskthewell—beingofhisscantyhoardofstock。
　　Thus，Linkhadgrowntomanhoodwithnodogathisheels，andwithoutknowingthenormalhuman’sloveforcaninechumship。
　　Theprimalinstinct，longburied，stirredwithinhimnow；attouchofthewarmtongueonhiscallousedhandandatsoundofthatfriendlytailwagginginthedrygrass。Ashamedofthestirringsinhim，hesoughttoexplainthembyremindinghimselfthatthiswasprobablyavaluableanimalandthatarewardmightbeofferedforhisreturn。InwhichcaseLinkFerrismightaswellprofitbythecashwindfallasanyoneelse。
　　Takingoffhiscoat，Ferrisspreaditontheground。Then，liftingthestrickencollieasgentlyashecould，hedepositedhimonthecoatandrolleditsfrayededgesabouthim。Afterwhichhepickeduptheswathedinvalidandborehimhome。
　　Duringthemiletrudgethecollie’ssixtypoundsgrewunbearablyheavy，tothehalf—drunkFerris。Morethanoncehewasmindedtosetdownhisburdenandleavethebrutetohisfate。
　　ButalwaysthetardyrealizationthatthejourneywasmorepainfultothedogthantohimselfgaveLinkafreshgriponhisdetermination。Andatlast，——alongandtiringlast，——theyreachedthetumble—downfarmhousewhereLinkFerriskeptbachelor’shall。
　　Layinghispatientonthekitchentable，Linklightedacandleandwentinsearchofsuchrudeappliancesashisfatherhadbeenwonttokeepinstoreforanyofthefarm’sanimalsthatmightbeinjured。
　　ThreetimesasaladLinkhadseenhisfathersetthebrokenlegofasheep，andoncehehadwatchedtheoldermanperformalikeofficeforayearlingheiferwhosehindleghadbecomewedgedbetweentwobrooksidestonesandhadsustainedacompoundfracture。FromCivilWarhospitalexperiencethefatherhadbeenadeftbonesetter。Andfollowinghisrecollectionoftheoldman’smethods，Linkhimselfhadlatersetthebrokenlegofoneofhislambs。Theoperationhadbeenasuccess。Heresolvednowtoduplicateit。
　　Slowlyandsomewhatclumsilyhewenttoworkattheinjureddog。
　　Thecollie’sbravepatiencenervedhimtogreatertendernessandcare。Aveterinarywouldhavemadeneaterworkofthebonesetting，buthardlycouldhaverenderedthejobmoreeffective。
　　WhenthetaskwasachievedLinkbroughthispatientabowlofcoldwater——whichthecolliedrankgreedily——andsomebreadandmeatscrapswhichthefeverishpatientwouldnottouch。
　　Asheworkedathisbonesettingtask，Ferrishadmorechancetostudyhisnewacquisition。Thedogwasyoung——probablynotmorethantwoyearsold。Theteethprovedthat。Heworeathincolliecollarwithnoinscriptiononitssilverband。
　　EventoLink’sinexperiencedeyehewasananimalofhighbreedingandofgloriousbeauty。Linktoldhimselfhewouldperhapsgetasmuchastendollarsforthereturnofsocostlyapet。Andhewonderedwhythegoldenprospectdidnotseemmorealluring。
　　ThreetimesinthenightLinkgotuptogivethecolliefreshwaterandtomoistenandre—adjustthebandages。And，everytime，thesightofhisrescuerwouldcausethedog’stailtothumpajoyouswelcomeandwouldfillthedarkeyeswithalovinggratitudewhichwentstraighttoFerris’slonelyheart。
　　Inthemorningthedogwasprevailedupontolapasaucerofwarmmilk，andeventonibbleatacrustofsoakedbread。Linkwasashamedofhisownkeenandgrowinginterestinhisfind。Forthefirsttimeherealizedhowbleaklylonesomehadbeenhishomelife，sincethedeathofhisfatherhadlefthimsolitary。
　　Therewasamysteriouslycomfortingcompanionshipinthedog’spresence。Linkfoundhimselftalkingtohimfromtimetotimeastoafellowhuman。Andthewordsdidnotechobackineeriehollownessfromthewalls，aswhenhehadsometimessoughttoeasehisdesolationbytalkingaloudtohimself。
　　Hewasembarrassedbyhisgeneralignoranceofdogs，andbyhisignoranceofthisparticulardog’sname。Hesoughttolearnwhatthecolliehadbeencalled；bytryingonefamiliardognameafteranother。But，tosuchstand—bycognomensasRover，Tige，Fido，Ponto，Shepandtherest，thepatientgavenofurthersignofrecognitionthanafriendlywaggingofhisplumedtail。Andhewaggeditnomoreinterestedlyforonenamethanforanother。
　　SoFerrisceasedfromtheeffort，anddecidedtogivehispetabrand—newnameforsuchbriefspaceastheyshouldbehousemates。
　　Afterlongdeliberationhehituponthename"Chum，"astypicaloftheoddfriendshipthatwasspringingtolifebetweenthedogandhimself。Andheplannedtodevotemuchtimetoteachingthecolliethisname。
　　But，tohissurprise，nosuchtediousperiodofinstructionwasnecessary。InlessthanasingledayChumknewhisname，——knewitpastalldoubt。
　　Linkwasamazedatsuchcleverness。Forthreesolidmonths，atonetime，hehadstriventoteachhishorseandhiscowsandafewofhissheeptorespondtogivennames。Andattheendofthecourseofpatienttutelagehehadbeenmorbidlycertainthatnotoneofhissolemn—eyedpupilshadgraspedthelessons。
　　Itwassurprisinglypleasanttodropinatthekitchendoornowadays，inintervalsbetweenchoresorattheday’send，andbegreetedbythatgladglintoftheeyeandtheecstaticpoundingofthewavytailagainstthefloor。ItwasstillpleasantertoseethegazeofwistfuladorationthatstrengtheneddailyasChumandhisnewmastergrewbetterandbetteracquainted。
　　Pleasantestofallwasittositandtalktothecollieintheonce—tediousevenings，andtoknowthathiseverywordwasappreciatedandlistenedtowitheagerinterest，evenifthefullgistofthetalkitselfdidnotpenetratetothelistener’sunderstanding。
　　LinkFerris，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hadadog。
　　Incidentally，forthefirsttimeinhislife，hehadanintimatefriend——somethingofwhoseloveandloyaltyhewaxedincreasinglysure。Andhewashappy。
　　Hisbrighterspiritsmanifestedthemselvesinhisfarmwork，transformingdrudgeryintocontentment。Andthefarmbegan，insmallways，toshowtheeffectsofitsowner’snewattitudetowardlabor。
　　ThedayafterhefoundChum，LinkhadtrudgedtoHampton；and，there，hadaffixedtotheclapboardsofthegeneralstoreabitofpaperwhereonhehadscrawled：
　　"Found—Onewhiteandbrownbirddogwithlegbroken。Ownercanhavesamebypayingareward。"
　　OnhisnexthuckstertriptoCraigswoldhepinnedasimilarsigntothebulletinboardofthatrarefiedresort’spost—office。Andhewaitedforresults。
　　Hedidmore。Heboughttwosuccessivecopiesofthecounty’sdailypaperandscanneditforwordofamissingdog。Butinneithercopydidhefindwhathesought。
　　True，botheditionscarrieddisplayadvertisementswhichofferedaseventy—fivedollarrewardforinformationleadingtothereturnofa"dark—sable—and—whitecollielostsomewherebetweenHohokusandSuffern。"
　　ThefirsttimehesawthisnoticeLinkwasvaguelytroubledlestitmightrefertoChum。Hetoldhimselfhehopeditdid。Forseventy—fivedollarsjustnowwouldbeagodsend。Andinself—disgusthechokedbackamostannoyingtwingeofgriefatthoughtofpartingwiththedog。
　　Twothingsintheadvertisementpuzzledhim。Inthefirstplace，asChumwaslonghairedandgraceful，Linkhadmentallyclassifiedhimasbelongingtothesamebreedasdidthesetterswhichaccompaniedhuntersonmountainramblespasthisfarmintheautumns。Beingwhollyunversedincaninelore，hehad，therefore，classifiedChumasa"birddog"。Theword"collie"，ifeverhehadchancedtohearitbefore，carriednomeaningtohim。
　　Moreover，hedidnotknowwhat"sable"meant。HeaskedDominieJansen，whomhemetonthewayhome。Andthedominietoldhim"sable"wasanothernamefor"black。"Jansenwentontoamplifythetheme，dictionary—fashion，byquotingapieceofsacredpoetryabout"thesablewingsofnight。"
　　AgreatloadwasoffLink’sheart。Chum，mostassuredly，wasnotblackandwhite。Sotheadvertisementcouldnotpossiblyrefertohim。Thereverendgentleman，notbeingadogfancier，ofcoursehadnomeansofknowingthat"sable"，incolliejargon，meanspracticallyeveryshadeofcolorexceptblackorgrayorwhite。
　　Linkwasashamedofhisowndelightinfindingheneednotgiveuphispet——evenforseventy—fivedollars。Hetriedtorecallhisfather’sinvectivesagainstdogs，andtoremindhimselfthatanothermouthtofeedonthefarmmustmeanstillsharperpovertyandskimping。Butlogiccouldnotstranglejoy，andlifetookonanewzestforthelonelyman。
　　BythetimeChumcouldlimparoundonthefasthealingforeleg，heandLinkhadestablishedafriendshipthatwasaboontobothandastarkastonishmenttoFerris。
　　Linkhadalwayslovedanimals。Hehadaninborn"way"withthem。
　　Yethisownintelligencehadlongsincetaughthimthathis"farmcritters"respondedbutdullytohisattemptsatamoreperfectunderstanding。
　　Heknew，forexample，thatthehorsehehadbredandrearedandhadtaughttocomeathiscall，woulddoubtlesssufferthefirstpassingstrangertomounthimandridehimaway，despiteanycallfromhislifelongmaster。Heknewthathispresence，tothecattleandsheep，meantonlyfoodorashiftofquarters；andthatanoutsidercoulddriveortendthemasreadilyascouldheonwhosefarmtheyhadbeenborn。Theirpossibleaffectionforhimwasahazything，basedsolelyonwhathefedthemandontheiroccasionalmildinterestinbeingpetted。
　　ButwithChumitwasalldifferent。Thedoglearnedquicklyhisnewmaster’smoodsandmettheminkind。ThefewsimpletricksLinksoughttoteachhimweregraspedwithbewilderingease。
　　TherewasahumanqualityofsympathyandcompanionshipwhichradiatedalmostvisiblyfromChum。HiskeencolliebrainwasforeveramazingFerrisbyitsflashesofperception。Thedogwasarevelationandanendlesssourceofpleasuretothehermit—farmer。
　　WhenChumwaswholeofhishurtandwhentheinjuredleghadknitsofirmlythatthelasttraceoflamenesswasgone，Linkfelltorecallinghisfather’spreachmentsastothehavocwroughtbydogsuponsheep。Hecouldnotaffordtolosetheleanestandtoughestofhislittlesheepflock——evenaspriceforthehappinessofowningacomrade。Linkpuzzledsorelyoverthis。
　　ThenonemorningitoccurredtohimtoputthematteruptoChumhimself。Hithertohehadkeptthedogaroundthehouse，exceptontheirdailywalks；andhehadalwaystiedhimwhendrivingthesheeptoorfrompasture。Thismorninghetookthecolliealongwhenhewentouttoreleasethetinyflockfromtheirbarnyardfoldandsendthemouttograze。
　　Linkopenedthefoldgate，onehandonChum’scollar。Outbillowedthesheepinaraggedscramble。Chumquiveredwithexcitementasthewoollycatapultssurgedpasthim。Eagerlyhelookedupintohismaster’sface，thenbackatthetumblingcreatures。
　　"Chum!"spokeFerrissharply。"Leave’embe!Getthat？LEAVE’EM
　　BE!"
　　Hetightenedhisholdonthecollarashegavethecommand。Chumceasedtoquiverineagernessandstoodstill，halfpuzzled，halfgrievedbytheman’sunwontedtone。
　　Thesheep，atsightandsmellofthedog，rushedjostlinglyfromtheirpenandscatteredineverydirection，throughbarnyardandgardenandnearerfields。Bleatingandstampeding，theyran。LinkFerrisblinkedafterthem，andbrokeintospeech。Loudlyandluridlyheswore。
　　Thisstampedemightwellmeananhour’srunningtoandfrobeforethescatteredflockcouldbeherdedoncemore。Anhourofpantingandblasphemouspursuit，attheveryoutsetofanoverbusyday。
　　Andallbecauseofoneworthlessdog。
　　Hisfatherhadbeenright。Linksawthat——nowthatitwastoolate。Adoghadnoplaceonafarm。Apoormancouldnotaffordthesillyluxuryofauselesspet。WithwhistleandcallFerrissoughttochecktheflightoftheflock。But，aseveryfarmerknows，thereisnothingelseonearthquitesounreasonableandidioticasascaredsheep。Thefamiliarsummonsdidnotslackennorswervethestampede。
　　Thefactthatthismanhadbeentheirprotectorandfriendmadenodifferencetotheidioticsheep。Theywerefrightened。And，therefore，thetenuouslythinconnectinglinebetweenthemandtheirhumanmasterhadsnapped。Forthemomenttheyweremerelywildanimals，andhewasamemberofahostilerace——almostasmuchaswasthehugedogthathadcausedtheirfright。
　　AwistfulwhinefromChuminterruptedLink’svolleyofswearing。
　　Thedoghadnotedhismaster’sangryexcitementandwasseekingtooffersympathyorhelp。
　　ButthereminderofChum’spresencedidnotcheckLink’swrathattheunconsciouscauseofthestampede。Heloosedhisholdonthecollar，resolvingtotakeouthisrageinanunmercifulbeatingshouldthedogseektochasethefleeingsheep。ThatwouldbeatleastanoutletfortheimpotentwrathwhichFerrissoughttowreakonsomeoneorsomething。
　　"Goget’emthen，ifyou’resosetonit!"hehowledatthecollie，wavingawindmillarmatthefugitives。"OnlyI’llwhaleyourmeaslyheadoffifyoudo!"
　　Theinvitationandthegesturethatwentwithitseemedtorousesomelong—dormantmemoryinthecollie’ssoul。Likeaflashhewasoffinflyingpursuitofthesheep。Ferris，inthecrazyragewhichpossessedhim，hopedChummightbiteatleastoneofthesenselesscreaturesthatwerecausinghimsuchawasteofprecioustimeandofgrudgedeffort。
　　Whereforehedidnotcallbackthefastrunningcollie。Itwouldbetimeenoughtowhalethedaylightoutofhim——yes，andtorescuehispossiblevictimsfromdeath——whenthedogshouldhaveoverhauledthewoollypests。So，indourfury，Linkwatchedthepursuitandtheflight。
　　Then，ofasudden，theblackrageinFerris’svisagechangedtoperplexity，andslowlyfromthattocrasswonderment。
　　Sixofthesheephadremainedbunchedintheirrunawaydash，whilealltheresthadscatteredsingly。ItwasafterthisbleatingsextetthatChumwasnowracing。
　　Nordidhestopwhenhecameupwiththem。Tearingpastthemhewheeledalmostinmidairandslackenedhispace，runningtransverselyaheadofthemandbreakingintoaclamorofbarks。
　　Thesix，seeingtheirfoemenacingthemfrominfront，cametoajumbledandslitheringhalt，preparingtobreaktheirformationandtoscatter。ButChumwouldnothaveitso。
　　Stillthreateningthemwithhisthunderousbarkhemadelittledashesatoneoranotherofthemthattriedtobreakaway；andhecrowdedbacktherest。
　　Asaresult，therewasbutonedirectionthedazedsheepcouldtake——thedirectionwhencetheyhadcome。And，uncertainly，shamblingly，theymadetheirwaybacktowardthefold。
　　ScarcehadtheybeenfairlystartedintheircowedprogresswhenChumwasoffatatangent，desertinghissixchargesandbearingdownwithexpresstrainspeedonastraywetherthathadpausedinhisescapetonibbleatalineofearlypeasinthetruckgarden。
　　Atsightoftheapproachingcolliethesheepflungupitsheadandbeganagaintorun。Butthedogwasinfrontofit，whicheverwaythepanic—strickenanimalturned；——ineverydirectionbutone。Andinthatdirectionfledthefugitive。NordiditstopinitsheadlongflightuntilitwasalongsidethesixwhichChumhadfirst"turned"。
　　PausingonlylongenoughtorounduponeortwosheepwhichwerebreakingloosefromthebunchChumwasoffagaininheadlongchaseofstillanotherandanotherandanotherstray。
　　LinkFerris，inblankincredulity，stoodgapingatthepicturebeforehim——staringatthetirelessswiftnessofhisdoginturningbackandroundingupascatteredflockwhichFerrishimselfcouldnothavebunchedintwentytimesthespaceofminutes。Chum，henoted，didnottouchoneofthefoolishbeasts。
　　Hisbarkandhiszigzagdashesservedthepurpose，withouttheaidofteethorofactualcontact。
　　Presently，asthedumbfoundedmangazed，thelaststraywasaddedtothemilling，bleatingbunch，andChumwasserenelytrottingtoandfro，drivingbacksuchofthesheepassoughttobreakloosefromthehuddle。Terrifiedandtrembling，butmastered，theflockcoweredmotionless。Theworkwasdone。
　　AsinadreamLinktumbledtowardtheprisoners。Hismindfunctioningsubconsciously，hetookuphisinterruptedtaskofdrivingthemtopasture。Themomenthesucceededingettingthemintomotiontheybrokeagain。Andagain，likeafurrywhirlwind，Chumwasencirclingthem；chasingthestraysintoplace。Hesaw，withoutbeingtold，thecoursehismasterwastaking，andhedrovehischargesaccordingly。
　　Thus，infarlesstimeandinbetterorderthaneverbefore，theflockreachedthericketygatewayofthestone—strewnsheeppastureandscuttledjostlinglyinthroughit。
　　Linkshutthegateafterthem。Then，stillinadaze，heturnedonthedog。
　　"Chum，"hesaidconfusedly，"itdon’tmakesensetome，notevenyet。Idon’tgetthehangofit。ButIknowthismuch：IknowyougottentimesthesensewhatI’VEgot。Whereyougotitan’howyougotitthegoodLordonlyknows。Butyou’vegotit。I——Iwasfiggerin’onlickin’you’mosttodeath，afewminutesback。
　　Chum。Honest，Iwas。I’mclean’shamedtolookyouinthefacewhenIthinkofit。Say!Domeafavor，Chum。IfeverIlifthandtolickyou，jes’bitemeandgivemehydrophoby。ForI’llsurebedeservin’it。Nowcomeonhome!"
　　Hepattedthesilkenheadofthejubilantdogashetalked，rumplingthesoftearsandstrokingthelong，blazedmuzzle。Hewassickatheartatmemoryofhisrecentmurderousrageatthiswonder—comradeofhis。
　　Chumwasexultantlyhappy。Hehadhadamostexhilaratingtenminutes。Thejolliestbitoffunhecouldrememberinallhistwoyearsoflife。Thesightofthosequeersheep——yes，andthescentofthem，especiallythescent——haddonequeerthingstohisbrain；hadarousedamillionsleepingancestralmemories。
　　Hehadunderstoodperfectlywellhismaster’sorderthatheleavethemalone。Andhehadbeendisappointedbyit。Hehimselfhadnotknownclearlywhatitwashewouldhavelikedtodotothem。
　　Buthehadknownheandtheyoughttohavesomesortofrelationship。Andthenatthegestureandthesnarledcommandof"Gogetthem!"somecloseddoorinChum’smindhadswungwide，and，actingonaninstincthehimselfdidnotunderstand，hehadhurledhimselfintothegaytaskofroundinguptheflock。
　　So，forathousandgenerationsontheScottishhills，hadChum’sancestorsearnedtheirrighttolive。Andsothroughsuccessivegenerationshadtheyimbuedtheirprogenywiththataccomplishmentuntilithadbecomeaprimalinstinct。Evenastheunbrokenpointerofthebesttypeknowsbyinstincttherudimentsofhisworkinthefieldsowillmanyacollietakeupsheepherdingbyancestraltraining。
　　TherehadbeennothingwonderfulinChum’sexploit。Hundredsofuntrainedcollieshavedonethesamethingontheirfirstsightofsheep。Thecravingtochaseandslaysheepisamereperversionofthisoldeninstinct；justasthedisorderly"flushing"andscatteringofbirdcoveysisaperversionofthepointerorsetterinstinct。Chum，luckilyforhimselfandforhismaster’sflock，chancedtoruntruetoforminthismatterofheredity，insteadofinheritinghistendencyintheformofatasteforsheepmurder。
　　Thefirstcollie，backinprehistoricdays，wasthefirstdogwiththewittoknowhismaster’ssheepapartfromallothersheep。Perhapsthatisthebest，ifleastscientific，theoryofthecollie’sorigin。
　　ButtoLinkFerris’sunsophisticatedeyestheachievementwasallbutsupernatural，anditdoubledhisloveforthedog。
　　Thatafternoon，bywayofexperiment，FerristookChumalongwhenhewenttodrivethesheepbackfrompasturetothefold。BythetimeheandthedogwerewithinahundredyardsofthepasturegateChumbegantodance，fromsheeranticipation；mincingsidewiseonthetipsofhistoesintruecolliefashion，andvaryingthedancebylittlerushesforward。
　　Linkopenedthecrazygate。Waitingfornofurtherencouragementthedogspedintothebroadfieldandamongthegrazingsheepthatweredistributedunevenlyovertheentireareaofthelot。
　　Ordinarily——unlessthesheepwerereadytocomehome——itwasamatteroftenorfifteenminuteseacheveningforLinktocollectthemandstartthemontheirway。To—day，inlessthanthreeminutes，Chumhadthewholeflockherdedandtrottingthroughtheopening，tothelaneoutside。
　　Nor，thistime，didthesheepfleefromhiminthesamepanicdreadasinthemorning。Theyseemedtohavelearned——ifindeedasheepcaneverlearnanything——thatChumwastheirdriver，nottheirenemy。
　　FromthefoldLinkasusualwenttothewoodlotwherehisfiveheadofleanmilchcattlewereatgraze。Threeofthecowswerewaitingatthebarsforhim，butoneheiferandanew—dryHolsteinwerehiddensomewhereintherecessesofthesecond—growthtimber。
　　Theafternoonwashot；ithadbeenahotday。Linkwastired。Hedreadedthelaborofexploringtenacresofundergrowthforhistwomissingcattle。Aninspirationcametohim。PointingtothethreestolidlywaitingcowsatthebarshewavedhisarminthegeneraldirectionofthelotandcalledonChum。
　　"Gofind’em!Bring’emin!"
　　AlmostbeforethewordswerespokenFerrisregrettedthem。Hehatedtodimthelusterofhisdog’searlierexploitsbygivinghimajobbeyondhisskill。AndthistimeChumdidnotflashforwardwithhisformerzest。Hestood，earscocked，glancinguncertainlyfromLinktothethreecowsalreadywaiting。
　　Then，ashestillpeereddoubtfully，oneofthebovinetriotookfrightatthedogandtrottedclumsilyawaytowardthewoods。
　　Linkgavechase。HehadnotgonethreestepsbeforeChumcaughttheidea。WhirlingpastFerrisheheadedoffthesurprised，indignantcow，andbydintofaflurryofbarksanddashesstartedherbacktowardthebars。
　　Herbelljangleddolefullyassheobeyedthenoisyurge。Andfromsomewhereamongthebushes，twohundredyardsaway，asecondcowbellsoundedinanswer。AtthisdistanttinkleChumevidentlygraspedthemeaningofhismaster’searliermandate。Forhegallopedawayinthedirectionofthesound。
　　Andpresently，withmuchcrashingofundergrowth，appearedtherebelliousheifer，drivenonbyChum。Afterdepositingher，sulkyandplunging，atthebars，Chumvanishedagain——inapparentresponsetoanotherfar—offbelljangle。Andinthreeminutesmorehewasbackatthebarswiththefifthcow。
　　"Luckyonewasaheiferan’theotheronedry!"commentedLinktothecollie，afterpettinghimandpraisinghimfortheexploit。
　　"I’llhavetolearnyoutodrivemilchcowseasyan’quiet。Youcan’trun’emlikeyourunsheepan’yearlin’s。Butapartfromthat，yousuredonegrand。YoucanlopoffanhouradayofmyworkifIc’nsendyoureg’larforthecritters。Thatoughttobeworththepriceofyourkeep，byitself。NowifIc’nlearnyouhowtomilkan’maybehowtomow——well，’twouldn’tbeahulllotqueerer’nthestuntsyoudoneto—day!"
　　ItwasperhapsaweeklaterthatLinkFerrisreceivedhisquarterlycheckfromthePatersonVegetableMarket。ThesecheckshithertohadbeenthebrightestspotsinLink’sroutine。Notonlydidthemoneyforhishard—raisedfarmproductsmeanareplenishingofthealwaysscantlarderandaneasingofthechronicfiscalstrainbetweenhimselfandtheHamptongeneralstore’sproprietor，butsometimesenoughsparecashwasleftovertoallowFerristogetverysatisfactorilydrunk。
　　SinceChum’sadvent，theoldgnawingoflonelinesshadnotgoadedLinktotheHamptontavern。Asaconsequence，hehadadollarortwomoreonhandthanwasusualatsuchtimes。Thiswealthwasswelledstillfurtherbythefactthataboostinvegetablepriceshadfattenedhisquarterlycheckbeyonditswontedsize。
　　Allthisandhislongabstinenceseemedtocallforarealcelebration。AndLinklookedforwardwithathrillofmerryanticipationtothecomingofnight。
　　Assoonashecouldclearawayhiseveningchoresandswallowsomesupperhefaredforthtothevillage。Thiswasgoingtobeoneofthosenightstodatetimefrom。Notamiserablehalf—jag，stoppedinmid—careerbylackoffundsandofcredit——anipped—in—the—buddebauch，suchassooftenhadsenthimhomecrankyandunsatisfiedandrailingagainstpoverty。No，thiswasgoingtobetherealthing——arecordperformance，evenforthesepre—prohibitiontimes。
　　Ferrisfedthecollieandshuthimintothekitchen，pendinghisownreturnfromHampton。IfLinkweregoingtobecomeblissfullyandhelplesslydrunk，ashehadeveryhopeofbeing，someonemighttakeadvantageofhisconditiontostealhispreciousdog。
　　ThereforeChumwasbestleftsafeathome。ThisLinkexplainedverycarefullytotheinterestedlylisteningcollie。AndChum，withheadandbrusha—droop，walkedmeeklyintothekitchenathismaster’sbehest。
　　Linksetoffforthevillage，happyinthefeelingthathishomewassowellguardedandthathewouldfindalovingfriendwaitingtowelcomehimonhisreturn。Whatwithreadymoneyandarealfriendandtheprospectofgettingwhole—souledlydrunktheworldwasnotsucharottenplacetoliveinafterall!
　　Asarule，ontheseoccasions，FerrisfirstwenttotheHamptonstore。Therehewaswonttocashhischeck，payhislongstandingbill，orderhisnewsupplies——andthen，withafreeheart，sallyforthtotheHamptontavern。Butto—night，havingmoneyinhispocketapartfromthecheck，hedecidedtopayapreliminarycallatthetavern，justbywayofwarmingup，beforegoingontothestore。
　　Therewerefewpeopleinthebarroomatsoearlyanhouroftheeveningandonsoearlyaneveningoftheweek。Linknoddedaffablytooneortwomenheknewandbadethemlineupatthebarwithhim。Aftertheseconddrinkhepreparedtoleave。Tothetavern’sproprietor，whowasmildlysurprisedatthebrevityofhiscall，Ferrisexplainedthathewasgoingacrosstothestoretogethischeckcashedandthathewouldbebacklater。
　　WhereattheproprietorkindlyofferedtosaveLinkthejourneybycashingthecheckforhim；asuggestionFerrisgladlyaccepted。
　　Hepassedtheindorsedcheckacrossthebarandreceivedforitacomfortablylargewadofwiltedgreenbackswhichheproceededtointernwithtendercareinaninsidepocketofhisvest，wherehemooredthemwithasafety—pin。Thenheorderedanotherdrink。
　　Buttothisnewordertherewasaninstantdemurrer。Twostrangers，whohadbeendrinkingatacornertable，boredownuponLinkrightlovingly；andrecalledthemselvestohismemoryascompanionsofhisonaquiteforgottendebauchofayearortwoback。
　　Linkdidnotatallremembereitherofthetwo。Butthenheoftenfailedtorecallpeoplehehadmetonaspree，andhedidnotliketohurtthesecordialrevelers’feelingsbydisclaimingknowledgeofthem。Especiallywhentheytoldhimmerrilythat，forthiseveningatleast，hismoneywasmadeofwoodandthathemustbetheirguest。
　　Neverbeforehadhemetwithsuchwholesouledhospitality。Onedrinkfollowedanotherwithgratifyingspeed。OnceortwiceFerrismadehalfheartedprofferstodosomeofthebuying。Butsuchhintsseemedtohurthishosts’feelingssocruellythatheforboreatlast，andsufferedhimselftodrinkentirelyattheirexpense。
　　TheyweremuchthenicestmenLinkhadevermet。Theyflatteredhim。Theylaugheduproariouslyathiseverywitticism。Theyhadageniusfornotingwhenhisglasswasempty。TheylistenedwithastonishedadmirationtohisboastfulrecitalofChum’scleverness。Oneofthem，who，itseemed，wasanexpertindoglore，toldhimhowtoteachthecollietoshakehandsandtoliedownandto"speak。"Theyweremagnificentmen，ineveryway。
　　Linkwasashamedtohaveforgottenhisearliermeetingswithsuchparagons。
　　Butthecallofdutyneverquitediesintosilence。AndfinallyLinkrememberedhehadstillhisstorebilltopayandhissuppliestoorder。Soheannouncedthathemustgo。Thestore，heknew，closedatnine。Helookedupatthebarroomclock。Butitsfacewashazyanditseemedtohaveagreatmanyhands。Therewasnousetryingtolearnthehourfromsodissoluteatimepiece。
　　Histwofriendspersuadedhimtohaveonemoredrink。Thentheyvolunteeredtogoacrosstothestorewithhim。Heleftthetavern，withoneofthetwowalkingoneithersideofhim。Hewasgladtobeinthecenterofthetrio；for，asthenightairstruckhim，hebecameunaccountablydizzy。Hisfriends’willingarmswereagrandsupporttohiswaveringlegs。
　　OntheunlightedthresholdofthetavernLinkstumbledheavilyoversomething——somethingthathadbeenlyingthereandthatsprangeagerlytowardhimashedebouchedfromthedoorway。Thereasonhestumbledoveritwasthatthecreature，whichhadboundedsorapturouslytowardhim，hadcometoasharphaltatnotinghiscondition。Thus，Ferrisstumbledoverit；andwouldhavefallenbutfortheaidofhisfriends。
　　Thesinglevillagestreetwaspitchblack。Notalightwastobeseen。ThispuzzledLink；whohadnomeansofknowingthatthetimewascloseonmidnight。Hestartedtowardthestore。Atleastthatwasthedirectionheplannedtotake。Butwhen，attheendoffiveminutes，hefoundhewasoutsidethevillageandonanarrowroadthatborderedthelake，hesawhisfriendshadmistakentheway。Hestoppedabruptlyandtoldthemso。
　　Oneofthemlaughed；asifLinkhadsaidsomethingfunny。Theotherdidsomethingquicklywithonefootandonearm。Ferris’slegswentfromunderhim。Thejarofhisfallshookfromhimafractionofhisdrunkenness，anditgavehimenoughsensetorealizethatthemanwhohadlaughedwastryingtounfastenthepinnedinnerpocketofthefallenman’svest。
　　NowforyearsthatpockethadbeenthesecretrepositoryofLinkFerris’ssparsewealth。Theintruder’stouchawakenedhimtoadrowsysenseofperil。Hethrustasidethefumblinghandandmadeaherculeanefforttorise。
　　Atthisshowofresistancehistwocomrades，asbyconcertedsignal，threwthemselvesuponhim。WithayellofangryfrightLinkcollapsedtoearthunderthedualimpact。
　　CHAPTERII。TheBattleHefeltoneofthemenpinionhiswavingarms，whiletheothercrouchedonhislegsandproceededtounpinthemoneypocket。
　　Ferrisstruggledforaninstantinfutilefury，tryingtoshoutforhelp。Thecallwasstrangledinhisthroat。Butthehelpcametohim，nonetheless。
　　ScarcethreesecondshadpassedsincetheattempttorobhimhadsetLinkintoactionandhadwrungfromhimthatyellofconsternation。
　　Butinanswercameaswirlingpatteroffeetontheroad，asnarllikeawolf’s，ashapethatcatapultedthroughthedark。Sixtypoundsoffur—swatheddynamicmusclesmoteathwarttheshouldersofthemanwhowasunfasteningthecashpocket’spin。
　　Theimpacthurledthefellowcleanoffhiscrouchingbalanceandsenthimsprawling，facedownward，hisoutflunghandssplashinginthemarginofthelake。Beforehecouldrolloverorsomuchasstir，asetofwhitefangsmetinhisshoulder—flesh。Andhetestifiedtohisinjurybyaneldritchscreechofpainandterrorthatechoedfaracrossthewater。
　　Hiscompanion，rallyingfromthemomentaryshock，leftFerrisandchargedattheprostratethief’sassailant。ButChummethim，withafierceeagerness，morethanhalfway。
　　Atruecollie——thankstohisstrainofwolfbloodfightsasdoesnootherdog。Whathelacksinstubborndeterminationheatonesforbyswiftnessandbyhisuncannybrainpower。
　　Abulldog，forexample，wouldhaveflowntohismaster’sreliefquiteasreadilyasdidChum。Butabulldogwouldhavesecuredthefirstconvenientholdandwouldhavehungontothathold，whetheritwereathisvictim’sthroatoronlyontheslackofhistrousers——untilsomeoneshouldhammerhimintosenselessness。
　　Chum——collie—fashion——waseverywhereatonce，usinghisbrainfarmorethanhisflyingjaws。Findingthegripinhisfoe’sshoulderdidnotpreventthemanfromtwistingroundtograpplehim，thecollieshiftedthatgripwithlightningspeed，andwithoneofhisgleamingeyeteethslashedhisopponent’shalfturnedcheekfromeyetochin。Thenheboredstraightforthejugular。
　　Itwasatthiscrisisthathesensed，ratherthansaw，theothermanrushingathim。Chumlefthisfallenantagonistandwhirledabouttofacethenewenemy。Ashewasstillturning，hesprangfartooneside，inbaretimetoeludeaswingingkickaimedathishead。
　　Then，beforethethiefcouldrecoverthebalanceendangeredbysomightyakick，thecolliehadwhirledinandsunkhisteethdeepintheman’scalf。Thebittenmanletoutaroarofpain，andsmotewildlyatthedog’sfacewithbothswingingfists。
　　Chumleapedbackoutofrange，andthen，withthesamebewilderingspeed，flashedinagainandburiedhiscurvedfangsinthenearestofthetwoflailingforearms。
　　Thefirstvictimofthecollie’sattackwasscramblingtohisfeet。SowasLinkFerris。Soberedenoughtorecognizehisbeloveddog，healsosawthenewrisenthiefcatchupabrokenfencerail，brandishitaloftandchargeuponthecollie，whowasstillbattlingmerrilywiththesecondman。
　　ToLinkitseemedthatnothingcouldsaveChumfromabackbreakingblowfromthehugeclub。Instinctivelyheranatthewielderoftheformidableweapon。Staggeringandsickandtwo—thirdsdrunk，Ferris，nevertheless，madevaliantefforttosavethedogthatwasfightingsogallantlyforhim。
　　Hislurchingrushcarriedhimacrossthenarrowroadandtothelakeedge，barelyintimetointercepttheswingingsweepofthefencerail。Itcaughthimglancinglyacrosstheside。Anditsforcecarriedhimcleanoffhisnone—too—steadyfeet。DownwentFerris——downandbackward。Hisbodyplungednoisilyintothewater。
　　Chumhadwheeledtofacetherail’sbrandisher。Butatsightofhismaster’ssuddenimmersioninthelake，hequittedthefray。
　　AttopspeedthedogclearedthebankandjumpeddownintothewaterinpursuitofFerris。
　　Itevidentlydawnedonbothmenatoncethattherehadbeenagooddealofnoise，forwhatwastohavebeenasilentanddecorousholdup。Alsothataragingcollieisnotapleasantfoe。
　　Theracketmightwelldrawinterferencefromoutside。Thedogwasoverhardtokill，andhisbitesweremurderous。Thegamehadceasedtobeworththecandle。Bycommonimpulsethepairtooktotheirheels。
　　LinkFerris，headdowninthecoldwater，wasstranglinginhismaudlineffortstorighthimself。Hedugbothhandsintothelake—bottommudandstrovetogainthesurface。Buttheeffortwastoomuchforhim。Asecondfranticheavehadbetterresults。
　　Andvaguelyheknewwhy。
　　ForChumhadmanagedtogetafirmholdontheshoulderofhismaster’scoat——twelveinchesunderwater——andhadbracedhimselfwithallhiswirystrengthforatugwhichshouldliftFerristothesurface。
　　ThisaddedleveragebarelymadeLink’sownstruggleasuccess。
　　Thehalf—drownedmanregainedhisfooting。Flounderingwaist—deepinwater，heclamberedupthesteeplyshelvingbanktoshore。
　　Thereattheroad’sedgehelay，gaspingandsputteringandfightingforbreath。
　　ChumhadbeenpulledunderandoutofhisdepthbyLink’sexertions。Now，comingtothesurface，heswamtoshoreandtrottedupthebanktotheroad。Absurdlylankandsmall，withhissoakingcoatplasteredclosetohisslimbody，hestoodoverhisprostratemaster。
　　Thedog’squickglareupanddowntheroadtoldhimhisfoesweregone。Hisincrediblesenseofhearingregisteredthefar—offpad—pad—padoffast—retreatinghumanfeet，andshowedhimthecoursethetwomenweretaking。Hewouldhavelikedtogivechase。Ithadbeenagoodfight——livelyandexcitingwithal——andChumwishedhemightcarryitintotheenemies’owncountry。
　　Buthisgodwaslyinghelplessathisfeetandmakingqueersoundsofdistress。Thedog’splacewashere。Thejoyofbattlemustbeforegone。
　　SolicitouslyChumleanedoverFerrisandsoughttolickthesufferer’sface。Ashedidsohissupersensitivenostrilsweresmittenbyanodorwhichcausedthecollietoshrinkbackinvisibledisgust。Thesickly，pungentsmellofwhiskyonFerris’slaboredbreathnauseatedChum。Hestood，headrecoiled，lookingdownatLinkinbewilderment。
　　Thereweremanythings，thisnight，whichChumdidnotunderstand。Firstofall，hehadbeengrievedandoffendedthatFerrisshouldhavelockedhiminthekitcheninsteadoftakinghimalongasusualonhiseveningstroll。Ithadbeenlonelyintheunlightedkitchen。Linkhadnotorderedthedogtostaythere。HehadsimplyshutChuminandlefthim。
　　So，tiringatlastofsolitude，thecolliehadleapedlightlyoutofthenearestwindow。Thewindowhadbeenopen。ItsthinmosquitonetcoveringhadnotservedintheleastasadeterrenttothedepartingChum。
　　Topickuphismaster’strail——andtoholdtoitevenwhenitmergedwithascoreofothersattheedgeofthevillage——hadbeenabsurdlysimple。Thetrailhadledtoahousewithcloseddoors。So，aftercirclingthetaverntofindifhismasterhadgoneoutbyanyotherexit，ChumhadcurledhimselfpatientlyonthedoorstepandhadwaitedforLinktoemerge。
　　Severalpeoplehadcomeinandoutwhilehelaythere。Butallofthemhadshutthedoortoosoonforhimtoslipinside。
　　AtlastFerrishadappearedbetweenhistwonewfriends。Chumhadbeenfriskilyhappytoseehislong—absentgodagain。HehadsprungforwardtogreetLink。Then，hisoddcolliesensehadtoldhimthatforsomereasonthisstaggeringandhiccupingcreaturewasnotthemasterwhomheknewandloved。ThismanwasstrangelydifferentfromtheLinkFerriswhomChumknew。
　　Puzzled，thedoghadhaltedandhadstoodirresolute。Ashestoodthere，Ferrishadstumbledheavilyoverhim，hurtingthecollie’sribsandhistenderflesh；andhadmeanderedonwithoutsomuchasawordoralookforhispet。
　　Chum，stillirresoluteandbewildered，hadfollowedatadistancetheswayingprogressofthetrio，untilLink’syellandtheattackhadbroughthiminfurioushastetoFerris’srescue。
　　Linkpresentlyrecoveredenoughofhisbreathtoenablehimtomove。Theduckinginicywaterhadclearedhisbemusedbrain。
　　Approximatelysober，hegottohisfeetandstoodswayinganddazed。Asherose，hisgropinghandclosedoversomethingcoldandhardthathadfallentothegroundbesidehim。Andherecognizedit。Sohepickeditupandstuckitintohispocket。
　　Itwasapintflaskofwhisky——onehehadreceivedasafarewellgiftfromhistwofriendsasthethreehadleftthetavern。Ithadbeenaneasygiftforthementomake。Fortheywereconfidentlycertainofrecoveringitafewminuteslaterwhentheyshouldgothroughtheirvictim’sclothes。DawningintelligencetoldLinkhehadnotcomethroughtheadventureverybadly，afterall——thankstoChum。Ferriswellunderstoodnowwhythethieveshadpickedacquaintancewithhimatsightofhismoney，andwhytheyhadgottenhimdrunk。
　　Thememoryofwhathehadescapedgavehimanewqualmofnausea。
　　Thelossofhiscashwouldhavemeantsuspendedcreditatthestoreandtheleanestthreemonthshehadeverknown。
　　Butsoonthejoyinhistriumphwipedoutthisthought。
　　ThenativeNorthJerseymountaineerhasapeculiarveinofcunningwhichmakeshimmorbidlyeagertogetthebestofanyoneatall——evenifthevictorybringshimnothingworthwhile。
　　LinkFerrishadhadaneveningoflimitlessliquor。Hestillhadapintofwhiskytotakehome。Andithadcosthimnotacent，exceptforhisfirsttworoundsofdrinks。
　　Hehadhadhisspree。Hestillhadallhischeckmoney。Andhehadaflaskofwhisky。True，hehadbeenroughlyhandled。Andhehadhadaduckinginthelake。Butthosewerehissoleliabilities。Theywereinsignificantbycomparisontohisassets。
　　Hegrinnedinsmugself—gratulation。ThenhiseyefellonChum，standingtenfeetaway，lookinguncertainlyathim。
　　Chum!ToChumheoweditall!Heowedthedoghismoney，perhapshisverylife。Yes——asherehearsedthestruggletogetoutofthelake——heowedthecolliehislifeaswellashisvictoryovertheholdupmen。ToChum!
　　AgreatwaveofloveandgratitudesurgedupinFerris。Hehadasloppilyidioticyearningtothrowhisarmsaboutthedog’sfurryneckandkisshim。Buthesteadiedhimselfandchirpedtothecollietocomenearer。Slowly，withqueerreluctance，Chumobeyed。
　　"Listen，"mumbledLinkincoherently，"IsavedyoufromdyingfromabustlegandhungerthenightIfustmetyou，Chummie。An’
　　tonightyousquaredthebillbysavingmefromdrownin’。ButI’mstillawholelotinyourdebt，friend。Ioweyouforallthecashinmypocketan’——an’forapintoftheStuffthatKilledFather——an’——an’maybeforabeatin’thatmightofkilledme。