Chum，IguessGoddidarealday’sworkwhenHebuiltyou。
I——I——Letitgoatthat。OnlyIain’tforgettin’。NoryetIain’tli’bletoforget。Comeonhome。I’ma—gittin’thechatters!"
Hehadbeenstrokingtheoddlyunresponsivedog’sheadashespoke。Now，forthefirsttime，Linkrealizedthatthenightwascool，thathisdrenchedclotheswerelikeiceonhim，andthatthecoldandtheshockreactionweregivinghimasharpcongestivechill。Walkingfasttorestorecirculationtohisnumbedbodyhemadeoffforhisdistantfarmhouse，Chumpatteringalongathisheels。
Therapidwalksethimintoaglow。Butbythetimehehadreachedhomeandhadstrippedoffhiswetclothesandswathedhimselfinaroughblanket，hisrackednervesreassertedthemselves。Hecravedadrink——anumberofdrinks——torestorehiswontedpoise。Lightingthekitchenlamp，hesetthewhiskybottleonthetableandputathicktumbleralongsideit。Chumwaslyingathismaster’sfeet。InfrontofFerriswasapintofgoodcheer。Thelamplightmadethekitchenbrightandcozy。Linkfeltasenseofutterwell—beingpervadehim。
Thiswashome——thiswastherealthing。Threesuccessiveandman—sizedrinksofwhiskypresentlymadeitseemmoreandmoretherealthing。Theymadeallthingsseempossible，andmostthingshighlydesirable。Linkwantedtosing。Andaftertwoadditionaldrinkshegratifiedthistastebyliftinghisvoiceinahiccup—punctuateddittyaddressedtooneJenny，whomthesingerexhortedtowaittillthecloudsrolledby。
HewasfollowingthisappealbyarurallyricwhichrecitedinsomewhatwearisometonalmonotonytheadventuresofaLittleBlackBullthatcameOvertheMountain，whenheobservedthatChumwasnolongerlyingathisfeet。Indeed，thedogwasinafarcorneroftheroom，pressedclosetotheclosedouterdoor，andwithcrestandruffa—droop。
Puzzledbyhispet’sdefection，LinkimperiouslycommandedChumtoreturntohisformerplace。Thecollie，inmostunwillingobedience，turnedaboutandcameslowlytowardthedrinker。
EverylineofChum’ssplendidbodytoldofreluctancetoapproachhismaster。Thedeep—set，darkeyeswereeloquentofafrighteneddisgust。HelookedatFerrisasatsomeloathelystranger。Thegladlightofloyalty，whichalwayshadtransfiguredhisvisagewhenLinkcalledtohim，waswoefullylacking。DrunkashewasFerriscouldnothelpnoticingthechange。Andhemarveledatit。
"Whassermatter？"bedemandedtruculently。"Whatailsyer？C’mhere，I’mtellin’you!"
Hestretchedouthishandinroughcaresstotheslowlyapproachingcollie。Chumshrankbackfromthetouchasachildfromadoseofcastoroil。Therewasnofearnowinhisaspect。
Onlydisgustandapoignantunhappiness。
And，allsuddenly，LinkFerrisunderstood。
Hehimselfdidnotknowhowtheknowledgecametohim。Acaninepsychologistmightperhapshavetoldhimthatthereisalwaysanocculttelepathybetweenthemindofathoroughbreddoganditsmaster，apowerwhichgivesthemaglimpseintoeachother’sprocessesofthought。Buttherewasnosuchpsychologisttheretoexplainthething。NordidLinkneeditexplained。Itwasenoughforhimthatheknew。
Heknew，asbyrevelation，thathisadoringdognowshunnedhimbecauseLinkwasdrunk。
Fromthefirst，Chum’slookofutterworshipandhiseagerlyhappyobediencehadbeenajoytoLink。Thesubtlycompletechangeinhisworshiper’sdemeanorjarredsharplyontheman’srawnerves。Hefeltvaguelyunclean——shamed。
ThecontemptofsuchofhispioushumanneighborsashadpassedhimintheroadduringhisspreeshadaffectedLinknotatall。
Nornowcouldheunderstandthequeerfeelingofhumiliationthatsweptoverhimatsightofthehorrifiedrepugnanceintheeyesofthismerebrutebeast。Itrousedhimtoagustofhotvexation。
"Shamedofme，areyou？"hegruntedfiercely。"Adirtyfour—leggedcritter’s’shamedofahe—man，hey？Well，we’lllickthatoutofyou，dam’soon!"
Lurchingtohisfeet，hesnatchedupabroomhandle。Hewaveditmenacinglyoverthedog。Chumgavebacknotaninch。Underthethreatofabeatinghestoodhisground，hisbraveeyessteadfast，and，lurkingintheirmysticdepths，thatsameglintofsorrowfulwonderanddisgust。
Upwhirledthebroomstick。Butwhenitfellitdidnotsmiteathwarttheshouldersofthesorrowingdog。Instead，itclatteredharmlesslytotheboardfloor。AndtotheflooralsoslumpedLinkFerris，hisnerveallgone，hisheartsoggywithsuddenremorse。
Tohiskneesthuddedtheman，closebesidethecollie。FromLink’sthroatwereburstinggreatstrangledsobswhichtorturedhiswholebodyandmadehisspeechatangledjumblethatwasnotprettytohear。
"Chum!"hewailedbrokenly，clutchingthedog’shugeruffinbothshakyhands。"Chum，oldfriend!Gawdforgiveme!Yousavedmefromdrowndin’an’fromgoin’broke，thisnight!YoubeentheonlyfriendthatevercaredahangifIwasaliveordead!
An’——an’Iwasgoin’tolickyou!Iwasgoin’tolambasteyou。
BecauseIwasabeastlierbeastthanYOUbe。Iwasgoin’todoitbecauseyouwassomuchbetterthanmethatyouwasmadesickbymybein’ahawg。An’Iwasmadatyouferit。I’m——oh，I’mshamederthanyouare!Chum!HonesttoGawd，Iam!Won’tyoumakefriendsagain？PLEASE，Chum!"
Now，ofcourse，thiswasamostridiculousandmaudlinwaytotalk。Moreover，nomanbelongsonhiskneesbesideadog，eventhoughthemanbeasotandthedogathoroughbred。InhiscalmermomentsLinkFerriswouldhaveknownthis。Ahigh—bredcollie，too，hasnouseforsloppyemotion，butshunsitsexhibitionwell—nighasdisgustedlyasheshunsadrunkard。
Yet，forsomeillogicalreason，Chumdidnotseektowithdrawhisaristocraticselffromtheshiveringclutchoftherepentantsouse。Instead，theexpressionofmiseryandrepugnancefledasifbymagicfromhisbroodingeyes。Intotheminitsplaceleapedalightofkeensolicitude。Hepressedclosertotheswayinglykneelingman，andwithupthrustmuzzlesoughttokisstheblubberingface。
Thewhiskyreekwasasstrongasever。ButsomethinginChum’ssoulwasstronger。HeseemedtoknowthatthemaudlinUnknownhadvanished，andthathisdearmasterwasbackagain——hisdearmasterwhowasingrievoustroubleandwhomustbecomforted。
Wherefore，thesickeningliquorfumesnolongerheldhimalooffromLink。Justastheicylakehadnotdeterredhimfromspringingintothewaterafterhisdrowninggod，although，likemostcollies，Chumhatedtoswim。
Link，throughhisownnervouscollapse，recognizedtheinstantchangeinChum’sdemeanor，andreaditaright。Itstrengthenedtheoldbondbetweenhimselfandthedog。Itsomehowgavehimalessscornfulopinionofhimself。
Presentlyhegottohisfeet，andwiththecollieathissidewentbacktothetable，wherestoodthethreeparts—emptyflask。
Hisfaceworking，Linkopenedthewindowandpouredwhatwasleftofthewhiskyoutontheground。Therewasnothingdramaticabouthisaction。Ratheritwastingedbyveryvisibleregret。TurningbacktoChum，hesaidsheepishly：
"Thereitgoes。An’Iain’tsayin’I’mtickledatwastin’suchgoodstuff。But——somehowIguesswe’vecometoashowdown，Chum；
youan’me。IfIsticktobooze，I’mli’bletoseeyoulookingatmethatqueerwayan’sidlin’awayfrommeallthetime；tillmaybeatlastyou’dgetplumbsickofmeforkeeps，an’lightout。An’——I’dratherhaveYOUthanthebooze，sinceIcan’thavebothofyou。Bein’onlyadawgandneverhavin’tastedgoodredliquor，youcan’tknowwhatabigbouquetI’ma—throwin’atyouwhenIsaythat，neither。I——Oh，let’scallitadayandgotosleep。"
Nextmorning，inthecourseofnature，LinkFerrisworkedwithasplittingheadache。Hecarrieditandabadtasteinhismouth，forthebestpartoftheday。
Butitwasthelastdrinkheadachewhichmarredhislabor，allthatlongandhappysummer。Hisworkshowedtheresultsofthechange。Sodidthemeagerhillfarm。SodidLink’ssystemandhispocketbook。
Ashewasareal，livehumanandnotatemperancetracthero，thereweretimeswhenhegirdedbitterlyathisself—enforcedabstinence。Whereweretimes，too——whenhehadatouchofmalariaandagainwhenthecutwormsslaughteredtworowsofhisearlytomatoes——whenheyearnedunspeakablyforthesolaceofaneveningattheHamptontavern。
Hehadneverbeenanaturaldrinker。Likemanyabettermanhehaddrunklessforwhathesoughttogetthanforwhathesoughttoforget。Andwiththedepartureoflonelinessandthenewinterestinhishome，hefeltlesstheneedforwetconvivialityandfordrugginghisfitsofmelancholy。
ThememoryofChum’sgrievingrepulsionsomehowstuckinFerris’smind。Anditservedasabrake，morethanonce，tohistavernwardimpulses。Twoorthreetimes，also，whenLink’sbabyishgustsofdestructivebadtemperboiledtothesurfaceatsomesetbackorannoyance，muchthesamewonderinglydistressedlookwouldcreepintothecollie’sglance——alookasofonewhoisrevoltedbyadearfriend’sfailuretoplayuptoform。Andtohisownamusedsurprise，Ferrisfoundhimselftryingtocurbtheseoutbursts。
Totheaveragehuman，adogisonlyadog。ToFerris，thiscollieofhiswastheoneintimatefriendofhislife。Unversedinthewaysofdogs，heoverestimatedChum，ofcourse，andvaluedhissocietyandhisgoodopinionfarmorehighlythantheaveragemanwouldhavedone。Thus，perhaps，hisdesiretostandwellinthedog’sesteemhadinitmorethatwascommendablethanludicrous。
Orperhapsnot。
IfthestrangeassociationdidmuchforLink，itdidinfinitelymoreforChum。Hehadfoundamasterwhohadnosocialinterestsinlifebeyondhisdog，andwhocouldanddiddevoteallhisscantleisurehourstoassociationwiththatdog。Chum’ssagacityandindividualityblossomedundersuchintensivetutelage，asmightthatofacleverchildwhoisthesolepupilofitsteacher。
Linkdidnotseektomakeatrickdogofhispet。HetaughtChumtoshakehands，toliedown，to"speak"andoneortwomoresimpleaccomplishments。Itwasbytalkingconstantlytothecollie，astoafellowhuman，thathebroadenedthedog’sintelligence。ChumgrewtoknowandtointerpreteveryinflectionofFerris’svoice，everysimplewordhespokeandeverygestureofhis。
Apartfrommeregoodfellowshipthedogwasprovingofgreatuseonthefarm。Morningandnight，Chumdrovethesheepandthecattletotheirrespectivepasturesandthenbacktothebarnyardatnight。Attheentrancestothepastures，now，Ferrishadriggeduprudegateswith"barcatch"fastenings——simplecontrivanceswhichclosedbygravityandwhosebarsthedogwasreadilytaughttoshoveupwardwithhisnose。
ItwasthusamatterofonlyafewdaystoteachChumtoopenorclosethelightgates。Thistrickhasbeentaughttocountlesscollies，ofcourse，inGreatBritain，andtomanyhere。ButLinkdidnotknowthat。HefeltlikeanotherColumbusorEdison，athisowngeniusindevisingsuchascheme；andhefeltaninordinateprideinChumforlearningthesimpleexploitsoquickly。
Ofold，Linkhadfrettedatthewasteoftimeintakingoutthesheepandcowsandingoingforthematnight。Thisdualdutywasnowathingofthepast。Chumdidtheworkforhim，andreveledintheexcitementofit。Chumalso——fromwatchingLinkperformthetasktwice——hadlearnedtodrivethechickensoutofthegardenpatcheswheneveranyofthemchancedtostraythither，andtoscurryintothecornfieldwithharrowingbarksofejectionwhenaflockofcrowshoveredhungrilyabovethenewly—plantedcrops。
AllofwhichwascontinualamusementtoChum，andatremendoushelptohisowner。
Link，gettingoverhisinitialwonderatthedog’sprogress，begantotaketheseaccomplishmentsasamatterofcourse。
Indeed，hewassometimesperplexedattheotherwisesagaciousdog’slimitationsofbrain。
Forexample，Chumlovedthefireonthechillyeveningssuchascreepoverthemountainregioneveninmidsummer。HewouldwatchLinkreplenishtheblazewithfreshstickswheneveritsanklow。
Yet，lefttohimself，hewouldletthefiregoout，andheneverknewenoughtopickupastickinhismouthandlayitontheembers。ThislackofreasoningpowersinhispetperplexedFerris。
LinkcouldnotunderstandwhythesamewitwhichsentChumhalfamile，ofhisownaccord，insearchofonemissingsheepoutoftheentireflock，shouldnottellhimthatafireiskeptalivebytheputtingofwoodonit。
Insearchofsomebetterauthorityondogintelligence，LinkpaidhisfirstvisittoHampton’slittlepubliclibrary。There，shamefacedly，heaskedtheboyinchargeforsomebooksaboutdogs。Theyouthlookedidlyforafewminutesinacrossindexfile。Thenhebroughtforthatomecalled"TheDoubleGarden，"
writtenbysomeonewhowasevidentlyanEyetalianorPolackorotherforeigner，becauseheborethegrievouslyun—Americannameof"Maeterlinck"。
"ThisisallIcanfindaboutdogs，"explainedtheboy，passingthelinen—jacketedlittlevolumeacrossthecountertoLink。
"Firststoryinitisanessayon’OurFriend，theDog，’theindexsays。Wantit？"
Thatevening，byhiskitchenlamp，FerrisreadlaboriouslytheBelgianphilosopher’sdogessay。Hereaditaloud——ashehadtakentothinkingaloud——forChum’sbenefit。Andthereweremanypartsoftheimmortalessayfromwhichthemangleanednomoresensethandidthecollie。
ItbeganwithapromisingaccountofapuppynamedPelleas。Butmidwayitbranchedoffintosomethingelse。SomethingLinkcouldnotmakeheadnortailof。Then，onsecondreading，bitsofMaeterlinck’smeaning，hereandthere，seepedintoFerris’sbewilderedlygropingintellect。
Helearned，amongotherthings，thatManisallaloneonearth；
thatmostanimalsdon’tknowheishere，andthattherestofthemhavenouseforhim。Thatevenflowersandcropswilldeserthimandrunagaintowildness，ifManturnshisbackonthemforaminute。Sowillhishorse，hiscowandhissheep。Theygraftonhimforaliving，andtheyhateorignorehim。
Thedogalone，Linkspelledout，haspiercedthevastbarrierbetweenhumansandotherbeasts，andhasrangedhimself，willinglyandjoyously，onthesideofMan。ForMan’ssakethedogwillnotonlystarveandsufferandlaydownhislife，butwillbetrayhisfellowquadrupeds。Manisthedog’sgod。Andthedogistheonlylivingmortalthathastheprivilegeoflookinguponthefaceofhisdeity。
Allofwhichwasdoubtlessveryinteresting，andpartofwhichthrilledFerris，butnoneofwhichenlightenedhimastoadog’suncannywisdomincertainthingsandhisblankstupidityinothers。NextdayLinkreturnedthebooktothelibrary，nowiserthanbefore，albeitwithahigherappreciationofhisowngoodluckinbeingthegodofonesplendiddoglikeChum。
JulyhaddrowsedintoAugust，andAugustwasburningitssultrywaytowardSeptember。Link’squarterlycheckfromthePatersonMarketarrived。AndFerriswentasusualtotheHamptonstoretogetitcashed。Thistinehestoodinlessdireneedofmoney’slife—savingqualitiesthanofyore。IthadbeenagoodsummerforLink。Theliquoroutofhissystemandwithanewinterestinlife，hehadworkedwithasnapandvigorwhichhadbroughtresultsinhardcash。
Nonetheless，hewasgladforthischeck。Inanothermonththeannualinterest。onhisfarmmortgagewouldfalldue。Andthemeetingofthatpaymentwasalwaysaproblem。Thisyearhewouldbelesscruellyharassedbyitthanbefore。
Yet，allthemore，hedesiredextramoney。Forastartlinglyoriginalambitionhadawakenedrecentlyinhisheart——namely，topayoffalittleofthemortgage’sprincipalalongwiththeinterest。
Atfirsttheideahadstaggeredhim。ButtalkingitoverwithChumandstudyinghisthumbed—soiledledger，hehaddecidedtherewasabarechancehemightbeabletodoit。
Ashemountedthestepsofthestore，thiseveninginlateAugust，hesaw，tackedtothedoorsideclapboards，atrulygorgeousposter。Bythelightoftheflickeringlampoverthedoor，hediscernedthevividscarletheadofadogintheuppercorneroftheyellowplacard，andmuchdisplaytypebelowit。
ItwasthepictureofthedogwhichcheckedLinkinpassing。Itwasafancyhead——theheadofastatelyandlongmuzzleddogwitharuffandwithtulipears。Inshort，justsuchadogasChum。
NotknowingthatChumwasacollieandthatposterartistsrejoicetodepictcollies，byreasonofthelatter’sdecorativequalities，Ferriswasamazedbythecoincidence。
Afteralongandcriticalsurveyofthepicture，hewasmovedtorunhiseyeovertheflaringreadingmatter。
Theposterannounced，toallandsundry，thatonLaborDayamammothdogshowwastobeheldinthecountryclubgroundsatCraigswold——ashowforthebenefitoftheRedCross。Entriesweretobeonedollarforeachclass。"Thankstogenerouscontributions，thecommitteewasenabledtoofferprizesofunusualbeautyandvalue，inadditiontothecustomaryribbons。"
Followedalistofcupsandmedals。Linkscannedthemwithnogreatinterest，Butsuddenlyhisrovinggazecametoanastonishedstandstill。Atthebottomoftheposter，inforty—eight—pointbold—facetype，ranthefollowingproclamation：
COL。CYRUSMARDEN
OFCRAIGSWOLDMANOR
OFFERSACASHAWARDOF
ONEHUNDREDDOLLARS（$100）TOTHE
BESTDOGOFANYBREEDEXHIBITED
Onehundreddollars!
Linkrereadtheglitteringsentenceuntilhecouldhavesaiditbackward。Itwouldhavebeenapatentliehadhehearditbywordofmouth。Butasitwasinprint，ofcourseitwastrue。
Onehundreddollars!Andasaprizeforthefinestdogintheshow。NottoBUYthedog，mindyou。Justasagifttothemanwhohappenedtoownthebestdog。Itdidnotseempossible。Yet——
LinkknewbyhearsayandbyobservationthewaysoftherichcolonyatCraigswold。HeknewtheCraigswoldersspentmoneylikemud，whenitsopleasedthem——althoughmorethanonefellowhucksterwasattimessoreputtoittocollectfromthemabillforfreshvegetables。
Yes，andheknewCol。CyrusMardenbysight，too。Hewasalong—facedlittlemanwhousedtogoaboutdressedinfunnykneepantsandwithaleatherbagofmisshapenclubsoverhisshoulder。Linkhadseenhimagainandagain。HehadseentheColonel’senormoushouseatCraigswoldManor，too。HehadnodoubtMardencouldaffordthisgiftofahundreddollars。
"TOTHEBESTDOGOFANYBREED!"
Ferrisknewnothingaboutthevariousbreedsofdogs。ButhedidknowthatChumwasbyfarthebestandmostbeautifulandthewisestdogeverborn。IfMardenwereofferingahundreddollarprizeforthebestdog，therewasnotanotherdogonearthfittocompetewithChum。Thatwasacinch。
Asforthehundreddollars——why，itwouldbeagodsendonthemortgagepayment!Everycentofitcouldgotowardtheprincipal。
ThatmeantFerriscoulddevotetheextrafewdollarshehadalreadysavedfortheprincipaltothebuyingoffertilizersandseveralsorely—neededutensilsandtotheshinglingofthehouse。
Avidformorenewsoftheoffer，heenteredthestoreandhuntedupthepostmaster，whoalsochancedtobethestore’sproprietorandthemayorofHamptonandthelocalpeacejustice。OfthisPooh—BahtheinquiringFerrissoughtfordetails。
"SomeoftheRedCrossladiesfromupCraigswoldwaywereherethismorning，tohavemenailthatsignonthestore，"reportedthepostmaster。"They’remakingatourofallthetownshereabouts。Theyaskedmetotrytoint’restfolksatHamptonintheirshow，too，andgetthemtomakeentries。Theyleftmeabunchofblanks。Wantone？"
"Yep，"saidLink。"IguessI’lltakeoneifitdon’tcostnothin’，please。"
Hestudiedtheprofferedentryblankwithtotallyuncomprehendinggaze。Thepostmastercametohisrelief。
"Letmeshowyou，"hesuggested，takingpityonhiscustomer’swrinkledbrowandsquintinghelplessness。"I’vehadsomeexperienceinthisfolderol。ItookmyAiredaleovertotheRidgewoodshowlastspringandgotathirdwithhim。I’mgoingtotakehimuptoCraigswoldonLaborDay，too。Whatkindofdogisyours？"
"Thedandiestdawgthateverstoodonfourlegs，"answeredLink，afirewiththezealofownership。"Why，thatdawgofminec’n——"
"Whatbreedishe？"askedthepostmaster，notinterestedinthedawningrhapsody。
"Oh——breed？"repeatedLink。"Why，Idon’trightlyknow。Somekindofabirddawg，Iguess。Yes。Abirddawg。Buthe’ssurethegrandest——"
"Ishethedogyouhaddownhere，onedaylastmonth？"askedthepostmaster，withagleamofrecollection。
"Yep。That’shim，"assentedLink。"OnlydawgI’vegot。OnlydawgIeverhad。OnlydawgIeverwanttohave。He’s——"
Butthepostmasterwasnotattending。Histimewaslimited。So，takingoutafountainpen，hehadbeguntoscribbleontheblank。
FillinginLink’snameandaddress，hewrote，inthe"breedandsex"spaces，thewords，"Scotchcollie，sable—and—white，male。"
"Name？"hequeried，breakinginonFerris’sramblingeulogy。
"Huh？"askedthesurprisedLink，adding："Oh，hisname，hey？I
callhim’Chum。’Yousee，thatdawg’smorelikeachumtomethan——"
"Nouseaskingabouthispedigree，Isuppose，"resumedthepostmaster，"Imeanwhohisparentswereand——"
"Nope，"saidLink。"I——Ifoundhim。Hislegwas——"
"Pedigreeunknown，"wrotethepostmaster；then，"Whatclassesareyouenteringhimfor？"
"Classes？"repeatedLinkdully。"Why，Ijustwanttoputhimintothatcontestfor’bestdawg，’yousee。He——"
"Holdon!"interposedthepostmasterimpatiently。"Youdon’tcatchtheidea。Ineachbreedthereareacertainnumberofclasses：’Puppy，’’Novice，’’Limit，’’Open，’andsoon。Thedogsthatgetablueribbon——that’sfirstprize——intheseclassesallhavetoappearinwhatiscalledthe’WinnersClass。’Thenthedogthatgets’Winner’s’——thedogthatgetsfirstprizeinthis’Winners’Class’——competesforbestdogofhisbreedintheshow。
Afterthat——asa’special’——thebestinallthedifferentbreedsarebroughtintothering。Andthedogthatwinsinthatfinalclassisadjudgedthe’bestintheshow。’He’sthedoginthisparticularshowthatwillgetColonelMarden’shundred—dollarcashprize。SeewhatImean？"
"Ye—es，"repliedLink，afterdigestingcarefullywhathehadheard。"Iguessso。But——"
"Sinceyou’venevershownyourdogbefore，"wentonthepostmaster，beginningtowarmwithprofessionalinterest，"youcanenterhiminthe’NoviceClass。’That’sgenerallytheeasiest。Ifhelosesinthat，noharm’sdone。Ifhewinshehasachancelaterinthe’Winners’Class。’I’mmailingmyentryto—nighttothecommittee。Ifyoulike，I’llsendyoursalongwithit。Givemeadollar。"
WhileLinkextractedagreasydollarbillfromhispocket，thepostmasterfilledintheclassspacewiththeword"Novice。"
"Thanksforhelpin’meout，"saidFerris，gratefulforthelift。
"That’sallright，"returnedthepostmaster，pocketingthebillandfoldingtheblank，ashepreparedtoendtheinterviewbymovingaway。"BesuretohaveyourdogatthegateleadingintotheCraigswoldCountryClubgroundspromptlyatteno’clockonLaborDay。Ifyoudon’tgetacardandatagsenttoyou，beforethen，tellyournametotheclerkatthetablethere，andhe’llgiveyouanumber。Tieyourdogtothestallwiththatnumberonit，andbesuretohavehimreadytogointotheringwhenhisnumberiscalled。That’sall。"
"Thanks!"saidLink，again。"An’nowIguessI’llgobackhomean’commencebrightenin’Chumup，aweepeckle，onhistricks。
MaybeI’llhavetimetolearnhimsomenewones，too。Iwanthimtomakeahitwiththemjudges，an’everything。"
"Tricks？"scoffedthepostmaster，pausingashestartedtowalkaway。"Dogsdon’tneedtricksintheshowring。Allyouhavetodoistoleadyourdogintothering，andparadehimroundwiththerestofthemtillthejudgetellsyoutostop。Thenhe’llmakethemstandontheshowplatformwhileheexaminesthem。Thedog’sonly’tricks’aretostandandwalkathisbest，andtolookalert，sothejudgecanseetheshapeofhisearsandgethisexpression。Teachyourdogtowalkaroundwithyou，ontheleash，withouthangingback，andtoprickuphisearsandstandatattentionwhenyoutellhimto。That’sallheneedstodo。Thejudgewilldotherest。Havehimcleanandwellbrushed，ofcourse。"
"I——Isurefeelbittersorryforthereotherdawgsattheshow!"
mumbledLink。"Ahundreddollars!Ofallthedawgsthateverhappened，Chummieisthatone!Why，thereain’tathinghecan’tdo，fromherdin’sheeptowinnin’awadofsoftmoney!An’——an’
he’sallMINE。"
CHAPTERIII。TheOrdealBydawnonLaborDayLinkFerriswasastir。AseriesofdiscomfitingbathsandrepeatedcurryingwiththedandybrushhadmadeChum’sgrandcoatstandoutinshimmeringfluffiness。A
courseofcarefully—conductedcircularpromenadesontheendofachainhadtaughtthedogtowalkgailyandunrestrainedlyinleash。Andanyofseveralcrypticwords，relatingtohypotheticalrats，andsoforth，werequiteenoughtosenduphisears。
ItwassheerexcitementthatbroughtLinkbroadawakebeforesunriseonthatdayofdays。Ferriswasinfectedwiththemostvirulentformofthatweirdmaladyknownas"dog—showitis。"Atfirsthehadbeentemptedsolelybythehopeofwinningthehundred—dollarprize。Butlatterlytheurgeofvictoryhadgottenintohisblood。Andheyearned，too，tolettheworldseewhatamarvelousdogwashis。
Hehurriedthroughthemorningchores，thendressedhimselfinhisshabbybestandhitchedhishorsetotheantiquatedConcordbuggy——avehiclehehadbeenwashingforthestateoccasionalmostasvehementlyashehadscrubbedChum。
Afteragobbledbreakfast，Ferrismountedtotheseatoftheagedbuggy，signaledChumtoleaptothebatteredcushionathissideandsetoffforCraigswold。Longbeforeteno’clockhishorsewassafelystabledattheCraigswoldlivery，andFerriswasleadingChumproudlythroughthewicketgateleadingintothecountry—clubgrounds。
Allhappenedasthepostmasterhadforetold。Theclerkatthewicketaskedhimhisname，fumbledthroughaledgerandapileofenvelopesandpresentlyhandedFerrisanumberedtag。
"Sixty—five，"readtheclerkforLink’sbenefit。"That’sdownattheextremeright。Almostthelastbenchtotheright。"
IntothehallowedprecinctLinkpilotedthemuch—interestedChum。
Therehepausedforadazzledinstant。Theputtinggreenandthefore—lawninfrontofthefield—stoneclubhousehadbeencoveredwithamassofwoodenalleyways，eachlinedwithadoublerowofstallsabouttwofeetfromtheground，carpetedwithstrawandhavingindividualzincwatertroughsinfrontofthem。Innearlyeveryoneofthese"benches"wastiedadog。
ThereweremoredogsthanLinkFerrishadseenbeforeinallhisquasi—doglesslife。Andallofthemseemedtobebarkingoryelping。Thedinwasegregious。Alongthealleyways，menandwomeninsportclothesweredrifting，insurveyofthechainedexhibits。Inacentralspaceamongthelinesofbencheswasalargesquareenclosure，ropedoffexceptforoneaperture。Inthemiddleofthisspace，whichLinkrightlyguessedtobethejudgingring，stoodaverylowwoodenplatform。Atonesideoftheringwereachairandatable，wheresatastewardinaPalmBeachsuit，fussilyturningovertheleavesofaledgerandassortingaheapofhigh—packedandvari—coloredribbons。
Link，mindfulofinstructions，boretotherightinsearchofastalllabeled"65。"Ashewent，henotedthatthedogswerebenchedinsuchawaythateachbreedhadasectiontoitself。
Thus，whilehewasstillsomedistanceawayfromhisdesignatedbench，hesawthathewascomingintoasectionofdogswhich，ingeneralaspect，resembledChum。Abovethisaggregation，asoverothers，hungaletteredsign。Andthisespecialsignread"CollieSection。"
SoChumwasa"collie"——whateverthatmightbe。Linktookittobeafancytermfor"birddog。"Hehadseenthewordbeforesomewhere。Andherememberednowthatithadbeenintheadvertisementthatofferedseventy—fivedollarsforthereturnofalost"sable—and—whitecollie。"Yes，andDominieJansenhadsaid，"sable"meant"black。"Linkfeltaglowofreliefthattheadvertisementhadnotsaid"abrown—and—whitecollie。"
Chumwasviewinghisnewsurroundingswithmuchattention，lookingupnowandthenintohismaster’sfaceastheymovedalongtheracketyline——asthoughtogainreassurancethatallwaswell。
Toahigh—strungandsensitivedogashowisaterrificordeal。
ButChum，likethearistocrathewas，boreitspreliminarieswithdebonaircalm。
ArrivingatBench65inthecolliesection，Linkenthronedhisdogthere，fasteningthechain’sfreeendtoaringinthestall’scorner。Then，afterseeingthatthewaterpanwaswhereChumcouldreachitincasehewerethirstyandthatthestrawmadeacomfortablecouchforhim，Ferrisoncemorepattedtheworrieddogandtoldhimeverythingwasallright。AfterwhichLinkproceededtotakeasurveyoftheneighboringcollies，thesixteendogswhichweretobeChum’scompetitors。
Hisfirstappraisingglanceofthedoublerowofcolliescausedthefurrowbetweenhiseyestovanishandbroughtagrinofcomplacentsatisfactiontohisthinlips。Forhedidnotseeasingleentrantthat，inhiseyes，seemedtohaveaghostofachanceagainsthisidolizedpet——notadogashandsomeorwithhalfthelookofintelligenceorwiththeproudlygaybearingofChum。
Ofthesixteenothercolliesthemajorityweresablesofdiversshades。Therewerethreetricolorsandtwomist—huedmerles。Overnearlyallthesection’soccupantsaswarmofownersandhandlerswerejustnowbusywithbrushandcloth。Forwordhadcomethatcolliesweretobethesecondbreedjudgedthatday。ThefirstbreedwastobetheGreatDanes。AstherewerebutthreeDanesintheshow，theirjudgingwouldbebrief。Anditbehoovedthecollies’attendantstohavetheirentriesready。
Link，followingtheexampleofthosearoundhim，tookfromhispocketthemoltingdandybrushandsettoworkoncemoreonChum’scoat。Heobservedthattherestwerebrushingtheirdogs’
furagainstthegrain，tomakeitfluffup。Andhereversedhisownformerprocessinimitationofthem。Hehadsupposeduntilnowthatacollie’shair，likeaman’s，oughttobeslickeddownsmoothforstateoccasions。AndittroubledhimtofindthatChum’scoatrebelledagainstsuchtreatment。Now，underthereverseprocess，itstoodoutinwavyfreedom。
Attheadjoiningstalltotheleftadecidedlyprettygirlwaswatchingagroomputthefinishingtouchestothetoiletofhertricolorcollie。Linkheardherexclaiminprotestasthegroomremovedfromthedog’scollarahugecerisebowshehadjustaffixedthere。
"Sorry，Miss，"Ferrisheardthegroomexplain，"butit’saginrulesforadogtogointheringwitharibbonon。Ifthejudgethinkshe’sgoodenoughforaribbonhe’llawardhimone。But——"
"Oh，hesimplycan’thelpawardingonetoMorven，here!"brokeinthegirl。"CANhe，Stokes？"
"Hardtosay，Miss，"answeredthegroomimperturbably，ashewroughtwithbrushandcloth。"Judgeshastheirownideas。We’llhavetohopeforthebestforhimandnotbetoosickifhegetsgated。"
"Gated？"echoedthegirl——anevidentnewcomertotherealmofshowdom。
"Yes，Miss，"expoundedthegroom。"’Gated’means’shownthegate。’Somejudgesthinsoutaclassthatway，bysendingthepoorestdogsoutoftheringfirst。Thenagain，somejudges——"
"Oh，I’mgladIworethisdress!"sighedthegirl。"ItgoessowellwithMorven’scolor。Perhapsthejudge——"
"Excuseme，Miss，"putinthegroom，tryingnottolaugh，"butthecolliejudgeto—dayisFredLeightonhebredthegreatHowgillRival，youknow——andwhenLeightonisinthering，hehasn’tgoteyesforanythingbutthedogsthemselves。Beggingyourpardon，hewouldn’tnoticeifyouwastowearahorseblanket。Atthat，Leighton’sthesquarestandthebest——"
"Look!"whisperedthegirl，whoseattentionhadwanderedandwhoserovinggazehadsettledonChum。"Lookatthatdoginthenextbench。Isn’themagnificent？"
Linkswelledwithprideatthelowspokenpraise。Andturningawaytohidehissatisfaction，hesawthatquiteasizableknotofspectatorshadgatheredinfrontofChum’sbench。Theywereinspectingthecolliewithmanifestapproval。Chum，embarrassedbytheunaccustomednotice，hadmovedasfaraspossiblefromhisadmirers，andwasnuzzlinghisheadintoFerris’shandforrefuge。
"PuppyClass，MaleScotchCollies!"dronedaringattendant，appearingforamomentatthefarendofthesection。Numbers60，61，62。"
Threeyoungsters，ranginginagefromseventoelevenmonths，werecoaxeddownfromtheirstrawcouchesbythreeexcitedownersandwereconvoyedfussilytowardthering。
"NoviceClassnext，Miss，"Linkheardthegroomsayingtothegirlattheadjoiningbench。"Gothisringleashready？"
"Ringleash!"ThiswasanewonetoFerris。Hiseyesfollowedthetrioofpuppiesshufflingringward。Hesawthatallthreewereonleatherleashesandthattheirchainshadbeenleftinthestalls。Presumablytherewasalawagainstchainsinthering。
AndLinkhadnoleash。
Foraninstanthewasinaquandary。Thenhisbrowcleared。True，hehadnoleash。Yet，ifchains，likebowsofribbon，werebarredfromthering，hecouldmaneuverChumeverybitaswellwithhisvoiceaswithanyleash。Sothatproblemwassolved。
Aminutelater，thethreepupsreappearedattheendofthesection。Andbehindthemcametheattendant，intoning：
"NoviceClass，MaleScotchCollies!Numbers64，65，66，67。"
TherewasanabsurdthrobbinginLinkFerris’smeridian。HiscallousedhandsshookasheunchainedChumandmotionedhimtoleapfromthebenchtotheground。
Chumobeyed，butwithevidentuneasiness。Hisoddsurroundingsweregettingonthecollie’snerves。Linkbentoverhim，underpretenseofgivinghimafarewellrubwiththebrush。
"It’sallright，Chummie!"hecroonedsoothingly。"It’sallRIGHT!I’mhere。An’nobody’sgoin’tobotheryounone。You’rea—helpin’mewinthathundred。An’you’relettin’thesegold—shirtfolksseewhataclam’gorgeousdawgyoube!Comealong，ol’friend!"
Underthecomfortofhisgod’svoice，Chum’snervousnessfled。
Safeinhissublimetrustthathismasterwouldletnoharmbefallhim，thecollietrottedtowardtheringatFerris’sheels。
ThreeothernovicedogswerealreadyintheringwhenLinkarrivedatthenarrowopening。Thestewardwassittingatthetableasbefore。Atthecornerofthering，alongsidetheplatform，stoodamanintweeds，unlightedpipeinmouth，half—shutshrewdeyesstudyingthedogsastheyfiledinthroughthegapintheropes。TheinscrutableeyesflickeredeversolittleatsightofChum，butatonceresumedtheirformerdisinterestedgaze。
"Walkclose!"whisperedLinkastheparadestarted。
Chum，hearingacommandhehadlongsincelearned，rangedhimselfatFerris’ssideandpacedmajesticallyintheprocessionoffour。Twooftheothernovicedogswerestrainingattheirleashes；thethirdwashangingbackandpawingfranticallytobreakaway。Chum，unleashed，guidedonlybythevoice，dreweveryeyetohimbyhisrarebeautyandhisloftyself—possession。
Buthewasnotallowedtofinishtheparade。SteppinguptoFerris，JudgeLeightontappedhimonthearm。
"Takeyourdogovertothatcorner，"heordered，"andkeephimthere。"
Linkfoughtbackayearningtopunchthejudge，andsurlilyheobeyedthemandate。Intohismemoryjumpedthethingsthegroomhadsaidaboutadogbeing"gated。"IfthatjudgethoughtforonesecondthatanyofthosemuttscouldholdacandletoChum——。
Againheyearnedtoenforcewithhistwowillingfistshisopinionofthejudge。
But，ashewellknew，tostartafightinthisplutocraticassemblagewouldmeanajailterm。Andinsuchcase，whatwouldbefallthedesertedChum？Forthedog’ssakeherestrainedhimself，andhebegantoedgesurreptitiouslytowardtheringexit，withaviewtoslidingoutunperceivedwithhissplendid，underrateddog。
ButFerrisdidnotreachthegateunchecked。
JudgeLeightonhadendedtheparadeandhadstoodthethreedogs，onebyoneandthentwoatatime，ontheplatformwhilehestudiedthem。Thenhehadcrossedtothetableandpickedupthejudgingbookandfourribbons——oneblue，onered，oneyellowandonewhite。Threeoftheseribbonshehandedtothethreecontestants’handlers。
ThenhesteppedacrosstheringtowhereFerriswasedginghiswaytowardtheexit；andhandedLinktheremainingribbon。Itwasdarkblue，withgiltlettering。
LeightondidnotsomuchassubjectChumtothehandlingandcloseinspectionhehadlavishedonthethreeothers。Oneexpertglancehadtoldthejudgethatthedark—sablecollie，ledbythisloutishcountryman，wasbetterfittedtocleanupprizesatMadisonSquareGardenthantoappearinasocietydogshowintheNorthJerseyhinterland。
LeightonhadviewedChum，asaboredmusician，listeningtothepiano—anticsofdefectivechildren，mighthaveregardedtheplayingofadisguisedPaderewski。Wherefore，hehadwavedthedogtoonesidewhilehejudgedthelesserentrants，andthenhadgivenhimthemeritedfirst—prizeribbon。
Link，inadazeofbliss，stalkedbacktothebench；withChumcaperingalongathisside。ThequeersixthsenseofacollietoldChumhisgodwasdeliriouslyhappy，andthatChumhimselfhadsomehowhadashareinmakinghimso。Hencethedog’sformergloomypacingchangedtoaseriesofecstaticlittledancesteps，andhekeptthrustinghiscoldmuzzleintothecupofFerris’spalm。
AgainBench65wassurroundedbyanadmiringclumpofspectators。
ChumandLinkviedeachotherintheiricyaloofnesstowardtheseadmirers。Butwithadifference。
Chumwasunaffectedlybotheredbysomuchunwelcomeattentionfromstrangers。Ferris，ontheotherhand，reveledintheknowledgethathisbelovedpetwasthecenterofmoreadulationthanwasanyotherdoginallthesection。
Classafterclasswenttobejudged。LinkwassorryhehadnotspentmoremoneyandenteredChumineveryclass。Theinitialvictoryhadgonetohishead。Hehadnotknownhecouldbesoserenelyhappy。Afterawhile，hestartedupattheattendant’sdroningannouncementof，"Winners’Class，MaleScotchCollies!Numbers62，65，68，70，73!"
AgainLinkandChumsetoutforthering。Link’sgleehadmergedintoanall—consumingnervousness，comparableonlytoamaidenhunter’s"buckague。"Chum，oncemoresensingFerris’sstateofmind，losthisowngladbuoyancyandpacedsolemnlyalongside，peeringworriedlyupintoLink’sfaceateveryfewsteps。
Allfiveentrantsfiledintotheringandbegantheirparade。
Leighton，inviewoftheimportanceofthiscrowningevent，didnotsingleoutanyonedog，asbefore，tostandtooneside；nordidhegateany。Hegaveownersandspectatorstheirfulldue，byathoroughinspectionofallfivecontestants。Butasaresultofhisexamination，heendedthesuspensebyhandingLinkFerrisapurplerosette，whereonwasblazonedingiltthelegend，"Winners。"
Asalvoofhandclapsgreetedtheeminentlyjustdecision。AndChumleftthering，tofindascoreofgratulatoryhandsstretchedforthtopathim。Quitealittlecrowdescortedhimbacktohisbench。
AdozenpeoplepickedacquaintancewithLink。Theyaskedhimallsortsofquestionsastohisdog。Linkmademonosyllabicandnoncommittalrepliestoallofthese——evenwhenthegreatCol。
CyrusMardenhimselfdeignedtocomeovertothecolliesectionandstareatChum，accompanyinghisscrutinywithavolleyorpatronizinginquiries。
FromthebystandersLinklearnedsomethingofrealinterest——namely，thatoneofthe"specials"wasabigsilvercup，tobeawardedto"bestcollieofeithersex"；andthatafterthefemalesshouldhavebeen，judged，thewinningfemaleandChummustappearintheringtogethertocompeteforthistrophy。
Sureenough，inlessthanthirtyminutesChumwassummonedtothering。There，awaitinghim，wasadaintyandtemperamentalmerle，oftheTazewellstrain。Exquisiteandhigh—bredaswasthisfemalecompetitor，JudgeLeightonwastedlittletimeontheexaminationbeforegivingFerrisatricoloredribbon，whosepossessionentitledhimtooneoftheshimmeringsilvermugsinthenear—bytrophycase。
Afterreceivingfullassurancethatthebigcupshouldbehisatthecloseoftheshow，LinkreturnedtoChum’sbenchinecstasyandsatdownbesidehistireddog，withonearmthrownlovinglyroundthecollie’sruff。Chumnestledagainsthistriumphantmaster，asLinkfondledhisbunchofribbonsandwentover，mentally，everymoveofhistriumphalmorning。
ThemillingandchanginggroupsofspectatorsinfrontofBench65didnotdwindle。Indeed，asthemorningwenton，theyincreased。Peoplekeptcomingbacktothebenchandbringingotherswiththem。Someofthesepeoplewhisperedtogether。Somemerelystaredandwentaway。SomeaskedFerriscarefullywordedquestions，towhichtheshylyhappymountaineerrepliedwithsheepishgrunts。
Thelongperiodofjudgingcameatlasttoanend。Andthe"BestDoginShow"specialwascalled。
IntotheringFerrisescortedChum，amidamultitudeoffellowwinners，representingonemaleorfemaleofeverybreedexhibited。Leightonandanotherjudgestoodinthering’scenter，andaroundthembillowedtheheterogeneousarray。ThetwowentattheirGargantuantaskwithanexpertswiftness。Mercilessly，dogafterdogwasweededoutandgated。Atlast，Chumandtwootherswereallremainingofthemanywhichhadthrongedthering。Thespectatorswerebanked，fivedeepandbreathless，roundtheropes。
Thetwojudgeswentintobriefexecutivesessioninonecorner。
ThenLeightoncrossedtoLink，forthefourthtimethatday，andgavehimthegaudyrosettewhichproclaimedChum"bestdogintheshow。"Aroarofapplausewentup。Linkfeltdizzy——andnumb。
Then，withagaspofrapture，hestoopedandgatheredtheboredChuminhislongarms，inabearlike，ecstatichug。
"Wedoneit，Chummie!"hechortled。"WEDONEIT!"
Stillinadaze，hefollowedthestewardtothetrophycase，wherehereceivednotonlytheshiningsilvercup，buta"sovereignpurse，"whereinwereensconcedtenten—dollargoldpieces。
Itwasalladream——awonderdreamfromwhichpresentlyhemustawaken。Linkwascertainofthat。Butwhilethegoldendreamlasted，heknewthenamelessjoysofparadise。
Chumcloseathisside，hemadehiswaythroughthecongratulatingcrowdtowardtheoutergateofthecountryclubgrounds。Hehadalmostreachedthewicketwhensomeonetouchedhim，withunnecessaryfirmness，ontheshoulder。
Notrelishingthefamiliarity，Linkturnedascowlingvisageontheinterrupterofhistriumphalhomewardprogress。Athiselbowstoodastockily—builtman，dressedwithsevereplainness。
"You’reLincolnFerris？"queriedthestranger，moreasifstatingaggressivelyafactthanmakinganinquiry。
"Yep，"saidLink，crossatthisannoyingbreak—inuponhistranceofhappiness。"Whatd’j’want？"headded。
"Pleasestepbacktotheclubhouseaminutewithme，"returnedthestranger，civillyenough，butwiththesamebossyfirmnessinhistonethathadjarredFerrisinhistouch。"Oneortwopeoplewanttospeaktoyou。Bringalongyourdog。"
Linkglowered。Hefanciedheknewwhatwasinstore。SomeoftheultraselecthadgatheredintheholyinterioroftheclubhouseandwantedaprivateviewofChum，unsulliedbythenoisypresenceofthecrowdoutside。TheywouldtalkpatronizinglytoLink，andperhapseventrytocoaxhimintosellingChum。ThethoughtdecidedFerris。
"I’mgoin’home!"hesaidroughly。
"You’recomingwithme，"contradictedthemaninthatsamequietvoice，butslippinghismusculararmintoLink’s。
Withhisotherhandheshiftedthelapelofhiscoat，displayingapolicebadgeonitsreverse。Stillavoidinganyoutwardappearanceofforce，heturnedabout，withhisarmlockedinFerris’sandstartedtowardtheclubhouse。
"Here!"expostulatedpoorLink，withallatruemountaineer’shorrorofthepolice。"What’sallthis？Iain’tbrokenolaw!
I——"
AnuglygrowlfromChumpunctuatedhisscaredplea。Notingtheterrorinhismaster’stoneandthegripofthestrangeronLink’sarm，Chumhadspunroundtofacethetwo。
Thecollie’seyeswerefixedgrimlyupontheplainclothesman’stemptinglythickthroat。OnecornerofChum’supperlipwascurledback，displayingabusinesslikeifsnowyfang。Hisheadwaslowered。Deepinhisfurrythroatasuccessionoflegatogrowlswereborn。
Theplain—clothesmanknewmuchaboutdogs。Heknew，forexample，thatwhenadogholdshisheadhighandbarksthereisnospecialdangertobefearedfromhim。Buthealsoknewthatwhenadoglowershisheadandgrowls，showinghiseyetooth，hemeansbusiness。
Andthemanshrankfromthemenace。Onehandcreptbackinstinctivelytowardhishippocket。
Linksawthepurelyinvoluntarygesture，andheshookinhisboots。ItwasthusaHamptonconstablehadoncereachedbackwhenastraycursnappedathim。Andthatconstablehadcompletedthemovementbydrawingapistolandshootingthecur。Perhapsthisnon—uniformedstrangermeanttodothesamething。
"Holdon!"beggedLink，interveningbetweenthemanandthedog。
"I’llgoalongwithyoupeaceful。Quit，Chum!It’sallright!"
Thedogstilllookedundecided。Hedidnotlikethisnewnoteinhisgod’svoice。Butheobeyedtheinjunction，andfellintostepatLink’ssideasusual。Ferrissufferedhimselftobepiloted，unresisting，throughthetatteredremnantofthecrowdanduptheclubhousesteps。
Therehisconductorledhimthroughthesacredportalsanddownawidehallwaytothedoorofacommitteeroom。Throwingopenthedoor，heusheredinhiscaptiveandthedog，enteringbehindthemandreclosingtheheavydoor。
Intheroom，roundatable，satseveralpersons——allmenexceptone。TheexceptionwasthegirlwhosecolliehadhadthebenchnexttoChum’s。Atthetablehead，lookingverymagisterialindeed，satColonelMarden。Besidehimloungedalargerandoldermaninaplaidsportsuit。
Link’sescortrangedhisprisonersatthefootofthetable；ChumstandingtightagainstFerris’sknee，asiftoguardhimfrompossibleharm。LinkstoodgloweringinsullenperplexityattheColonel。Mardenclearedhisvoicepompously，thenspoke。
"Ferris，"hebeganwithmuchimpressiveness，"Iamamagistrateofthiscounty——asyouperhapsknow。YoumayconsideryourselfbeforetheBarofJustice，andreplytomyquestionsaccordingly。"
Awedbythisthunderedpreamble，Ferrismadeshifttomutter：
"Iain’tbrokenolaws。Whatd’j’wantofme，anyhow？"
"Firstofall，"proceededMarden，"wheredidyougetthatdog？"
"Chumhere？"saidFerris。"Why，Icomeacrosthim，earlylastspring，onthepatchofstateroad，jes’outsideofHampton。Hewasa—layin’inaditch，withhislegbust。Throwedoff’naauto，Ifiggeredit。Itookhimhomean’——"
Hepaused，asthesport—suitedmannexttoMardennoddedexcitedlytothegirlandthenwhisperedtotheColonel。
"Youtookhimhome？"pursuedMarden。"Couldn’tyouseehewasavaluabledog？"
"Ic’dseehewasasufferin’an’dyin’dawg，"retortedLink。"I
c’dseehewasagoner，’lessItookhimhomean’’tendedhim。Ifyou’reaimin’atfindin’outwhyIwentonkeepin’himafterthat，Idonesobecausenooneclaimedhim。Iputupnotices’bouthim。Iputoneupatthepost—officehere，too。I——"
"Hedid!"interruptedthegirl。"That’strue!Isawit。Only——thenoticesaiditwasabirddog。That’swhywedidn’tfollowitup。
He——"
"MissGault，"suggestedMardeninloftyreproof，"supposeyouleavetheinterrogatorytome，ifyouplease？Yes，Irecollectthatnotice。Myattentionwascalledtoitatthetime。But，"
againaddressingLink，"whydidyoucall’GlenmuirCavalier’a’BIRDdog’？Wasittothrowusoffthetrackor——"
"Don’tknownoWhat’s—His—NameCav’lier!"snappedFerris。"Thisdawg’snameisChum。Likeyouc’nseeinmyentryblank，what’slayin’onthetableinfrontofyou。Iadv’tisedChumasabirddawgbecauseIs’posedheWASabirddawg。Iain’tasharpondawgs。He’sthefustoneeverIhad。Ifheain’tabirddawg，’tain’tmyfault。Helooksmorelikeonethanlike’totherbreedsI’dseen。SoIcalledhimone。"
"Thereisnoneedtoraiseyourvoiceatme!"rebukedthecolonel。"Iamdisposedtoacceptyourexplanation。Butifyoureadthelocalpapersyoumusthaveseen——"
"Ididread’em，"saidFerris。"Iread’emsteadyforamonthormore，toseewastherewasadv’tisementferalostdawg。Naryanadv’tisementdidIseeexcep’onefera’sable’collie。’Sable’
means’black。’Iknow，becauseourdominietoldmeso。Iaskedhim，whenIseethatpieceinthepaper。Chumain’tblack，nornowheresnearblack。SoIknoweditcouldn’tbehim。Whatd’j’
wantofme，anyhow？"hedemandedoncemore。
"Again，Iamdisposedtocredityourexplanation，"boomedthecolonel，frowningdownarippleofgigglesthathaditsriseinMissGault。"AndIamdisposedtoacquityouofconsciouslydishonestintent。Iamgladtodoso。Hereisthesituation：
Earlylastspring，Mr。Gault，"indicatingthesport—suitwearerathisleft，"boughtfromthefamousGlenmuirCollieKennels，ontheHudson，anunusuallyfineyoungcollie——adogforwhichconnoisseurspredictedagreatfutureintheshowring。Hepurchaseditasagiftforhisdaughter，MissMarionGault。"
Heinclinedhisheadslightlytowardthegirl；thenproceeded：
"AsMr。Glenmuirwasdisbandinghiskennel，Mr。Gaultwasabletosecurethedog——GlenmuirCavalier。HestartedforCraigswold，withthedogontherearseatofthecar。Atfirsthekeptahandonthedog’scollar，butasthecolliemadenoattempttoescape，hesoonturnedaround——hewasinthefrontseat——andpaidnomoreattentiontohim。JustoutsideofSuffern，helookedback——tofindCavalierhaddisappeared。Headvertised，andmadeallpossibleeffortstolocatethedog。Buthecouldgetnoclewtohim，untilto—day。Seeingthisdogofyoursintheshowring，herecognizedhimatonce。"
Thepompouslyboomingvoice，withitsstilteddiction，ceased。
AlleyeswereuponLinkFerris。Themountaineer，stungtolifebythesilenceandthemultiplegaze，cameoutofhistranceofshock。
"Then——then，"hestuttered，forcingthewordsfromathroatsandedbysuddendread，"thenChumrightlyb’longstothisman？"
"Quiteso!"assentedMarden，insomerelief。"Iamgladyougraspthepointsoreadily。Mr。Gaulthastalkedthematteroverwithme，andheistakingaremarkablybroadandgenerousviewofthecaseifImaysayso。Heisnotonlywillingthatyoushouldkeepthecupandthecashprizewhichyouhavewonto—day，butheisalsoreadytopaytoyoutheseventy—fivedollarrewardheofferedforthereturnofGlenmuirCavalier。Irepeat，thisstrikesmeasmostgener——"
"NO!"yelledLink，aspasmofforeseenlonelinesssweepingoverhim。"NO!!Hecan’thavehim!Nobodycan!WhyChum’smydawg!
I’velearnedhimtofetchcowsan’shakehandsan’——an’
everything!An’hedrugmeout’nthelake，whenIwasa—drowndin’!An’hedoneaheapmore’nthatferme!He’sdrugmeuptomyfeet，out’nwuthlessness，too；an’he’slearnedmethatlivin’iswuthwhile!He’smy——my——he’smydawg!"hefinishedlamely，hisscaredeyessweepingthecircleoffacesinpanicappeal。
"Thatwilldo，Ferris!"coldlyexhortedthecolonel。"Wewishnosceneshere。YouwilltakethisseventyfivedollarcheckwhichMr。Gaulthassokindlymadeoutforyou，andyouwillgo。"
"Leavin’Chumbehind？"babbledFerris，aghast。"Notleavin’Chumbehind？PLEASEnot!"
Hepulledhimselftogetherwithaneffortthatdrovehisnailsbitinglyintohispalmsandlefthisfacegray。Hesawtheuselessnessofpleadingwiththesepeopleofpolishediron，whocouldnotunderstandhisfearfulloss。ForthesakeofChum——forthesakeoftheself—respectingmanhehimselfhadbecome——hewouldnotlethimselfgotopieces。Forcinghisshakenvoicetoadrysteadiness，headdressedtheuneasilysquirmingGault。
"Whatd’j’youpayforChumwhenyouboughthimoff’nthatHudsonRiverfeller——thatGlenmuirchap？"hedemanded。
"Why，asamatteroffact，"respondedGault，"asColonelMardenhastoldyou，Icouldn’thavehopedtogetsuchapromisingcollieatanypriceit——"
"Whatd’j’youpayforhim？"insistedLink，hisvoiceharshandunconsciouslydomineeringasavaguenewhopedawnedonhistroubledmind。
"Ipaidsixhundreddollars，"answeredGaultshortly，inannoyanceattheboor’smanner。
"Good!"approvedLink，"Thatgivesussuthin’togoon。I’llpayyousixhundreddollarsferhimback。Thishundreddollarsingoldan’thisyersilvercupan’sevendollarsmoreIgotwithme——tobindthebargain。An’asecondmortgageonmyfarmfertherest。Ferasmuchoftherest，"heamended，"asIain’tgotreadycashfor。"
Inhisstarkearnestness，Link’sroughvoicesoundedmorehectoringandunpleasantthanbefore。Gault，unusedtosuchtalkfromthealleged"peasantry，"resolvedtocutshortthehaggling。
"Sellforsixhundredadogthat’scleanedup’bestintheshow？’"herasped。"No，thankyou。LeightonsaysCavalierwillgofar。Oneman，tenminutesago，offeredmeathousandforhim。"
"Athousan’？"repeatedFerris，scaredatthemagnitudeofthesum——then，rallying，heasked：
"WhatWILLyouletmehavehimfer，then？Setaprice，can’tyou？"
"Thedogisnotforsale，"curtlyrepliedGault，busyinghimselfwiththelightingofacigarette。
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