"Givehimtime！"sheurgedonce。"Heisn'tquitesixmonthsoldyet；andhehasgrownsoterriblyfast。Why，he'sovertwofeettall，attheshoulder，evennow——muchbiggerthanmostfull-growncollies。ChampionHowgillRivalisspokenofasa'big'dog；yetheisonlytwenty-fourinchesattheshoulder，Mr。Leightonsays。
Surelyit'ssomethingtoownadogthatissobig。"
"ItIS'something，'"gloomilyconcededtheMaster。"Inourcaseitisacatastrophe。Idon'tsetuptobeanexpertjudgeofcollies，somaybeIamallwrongabouthim。I'mgoingtogetprofessionalopinion，though。NextweektheyaregoingtohavethespringdogshowatHampton。It'salittlehole-in-a-cornershow，ofcourse。ButSymondsistobetheall-aroundjudge，exceptforthetoybreeds。AndSymondsknowscollies，fromthegroundup。IamgoingtotakeBruceoverthereandenterhimforthepuppyclass。Ifheisanygood，Symondswillknowit。IfthedogisasworthlessasIthinkheis，I'llgetridofhim。IfSymondsgivesanyhopeforhim，I'llkeephimonawhilelonger。"
"But，"venturedtheMistress，"ifSymondssays'Thumbsdown，'
then——"
"ThenI'llbuyapetarmadillooranornithorhynchusinstead，"
threatenedtheMaster。"EitherofthemwilllookmorelikeacolliethanBrucedoes。"
"I——IwonderifMr。Symondssmokes，"musedtheMistressunderherbreath。
"Smokes？"echoedtheMaster。"What'sthatgottodowithit？"
"Iwasonlywondering，"shemadehesitantanswer，"ifaboxofverywonderfulcigars，senttohimwithourcards，mightn'tperhaps——"
"It'safinesportsmanlyproposition！"laughedtheMaster。"Whenwomengettorulingtheworldofsport，there'llbenoneedofcomiccartoons。Genuinephotographswilldoaswell。Ifit'sjustthesametoyou，deargirl，we'llletSymondsbuyhisowncigars，forthepresent。Thedog-showgameisalmosttheonlyoneIknowofwhereajudgeispracticallyalwaysonthesquare。Peopledoubthisjudgment，sometimes，butthereispracticallyneveranydoubtofhishonesty。Besides，wewanttogettheexactdopeonBruce。（NotthatIhaven'tgotit，already！）IfSymonds'gates'
him，I'mgoingtoofferhimforsaleattheshow。Ifnobodybuyshimthere，I'mgoing——"
"Hehasn'tbeen'gated'yet，"answeredtheMistressincalmconfidence。
Atthelittlespringshow，atHampton，ameagereightydogswereexhibited，ofwhichonlyninewerecollies。Thiscolliedivisioncontainednospecimenstostartlethedog-world。Mostoftheexhibitswerepets。Andlikenearlyallpets，theywere"seconds"——inotherwords，thelessdesirabledogsofthoroughbredlitters。
Hampton'stownhallauditoriumwasfilledtoovercrowding，withamassofvisitorswhoparadedinterestedlyalongtheaislesbetweentheraisedrowsofstall-likebencheswherethedogsweretied；orwhogroupeddenselyaroundallfoursidesoftheropedjudging-ringinthecenterofthehall。
Foradogshowhasawel-nighuniversalappealtohumanityatlarge；evenasthelovefordogsisoneoftheprimalandfirm-
rootedhumanemotions。Notonlytheactualexhibitorandtheircountlessfriendsflocktosuchshows；butthepublicatlargeisdrawnthitherastonootherfunctionofthekind。
Horse-racing，itistrue，bringsoutacrowdmanytimeslargerthandoesadogshow。Butonlybecauseofthethrillofwinningorlosingmoney。Forwhereone'ssparecashis，thereishisheartandhisall-absorbinginterest。Yetitisamatterofrecordthatgrassisgrowinghigh，ontherace-tracks，insuchstatesashavebeenabletoenforcetheanti-bettinglaws。The"sportofkings"
flourishesonlywherewagersmayaccompanyit。Removethebettingelement，andyouturnyourracetrackintoahugeanduntroddenlot。
Thereispracticallynobettingconnectedwithanydogshow。
Peoplegotheretoseethedogsandtowatchtheirjudging，andfornothingelse。Asarule，theshowisnotevenasocialevent。
Nevertheless，theaveragedogshowisthrongedwithspectators。
（TrytocrossMadisonSquareGarden，onWashington'sBirthdayafternoon，whiletheWestminsterKennelClub'sShowisinprogress。Ifyoucanworkyourwaythroughthepressofvisitorsinlessthanhalfanhour，thenNatureintendedyouforafootballchampion。）
Thefortunateabsenceofabetting-interestalonekeepssuchaffairsfrombecomingamongtheforemostsportingfeaturesoftheworld。Manyofthedogsonviewarefools，ofcourse。Becausemanyofthemhavebeenbredsolelywithaviewtoshow-points。
Andtheirownersandhandlershavedonenothingtoawakenintheirexhibitsthehalf-humanbrainandheartthatisadog'sheritage。Allhasbeensacrificedto"points"——topointswhicharearbitraryandwhichchangeasfreakilyasdofashionsindress。
Forexample，afewyearsago，afinancialgiantcollectedandexhibitedoneofthefinestbunchesofcolliesonearth。Hehadacompetentmanagerandanarmyofkennel-mentohandlethem。Hetookinordinateprideinthesepricelesscolliesofhis。OnceI
watchedhim，attheGardenShow，displayingthemtosomeWallStreetfriends。Threetimeshemadeerrorsinnaminghisdogs。
Once，whenheleanedtooclosetothestarcollieofhiskennels，thedogmistookhimforastrangerandresentedtheintrusionbysnappingathim。Hedidnotknowhisownpets，onefromanother。
Andtheydidnotknowtheirowner，bysightorbyscent。
Atthesmallshows，thereisanatmospherewhollydifferent。Fewofthebigbreedersbothertocompeteatsuchcontests。Thedogsareforthemostpartpets，forwhichtheirownersfeelakeenpersonalaffection，andwhichhavebeenbroughtupasmembersoftheirmasters'households。Thus，ifsmallshowsseldombringforthaworld-beatingdog，theyatleastarefullofcleverandhumanizedexhibitsandofmenandwomentowhomthesuccessorfailureoftheircaninefriendsisamatterofintensestpersonalmoment。Whereforethesmallshowoftengivesthebeholdersomethinghecanfindbutrarelyinalargerexhibition。
Afewdogsgenuinelyenjoyshows——oraresupposedto。Tomanyothersadogshowisahorror。
WhichwindydigressionbringsusbackbyprosydegreestoBruceandtotheHamptondogshow。
Thecollieswerethefirstbreedtobejudged。Andthepuppyclass，asusual，wasthefirsttobecalledtothering。
Therewerebutthreecolliepups，allmales。Onewasarangytri-
colorofelevenmonths，withafairheadandabadcoat。Thesecondwasanexquisitesix-monthspuppy，richofcoat，prematurelyperfectofhead，andcowhocked。ThesetwoandBruceformedthepuppyclasswhichparadedbeforeSymondsintheoblongring。
"Anyhow，"whisperedtheMistressastheMasterledhisstolidlygiganticentrytowardtheenclosure，"Brucecan'tgetworsethanathird-prizeyellowribbon。Weoughttobealittleproudofthat。Thereareonlythreeentriesinhisclass。"
Buteventhatbitofbarrenpridewasdeniedtheawkwardyoungster'ssponsor。Asthethreepupsenteredtheenclosure。thejudge'shalf-shuteyesrestedonBruce——atfirstidly，theninrealamazement。CrossingtotheMaster，beforegivingthesignalforthefirstmaneuvers，hesaidintireddisgust——
"PleasetakeyourmeaslySt。Bernardmonstrosityoutofthering。
Thisisaclassforcollies，notforfreaks。Irefusetojudgethatpupasacollie。"
"He'sathoroughbred，"crosslyprotestedtheMaster。"Ihavehiscertifiedpedigree。There'snobetterbloodin——"
"Idon'tcarewhathisancestorswere，"snappedthejudge。"He'sathrow-backtothedinosaurortheGreatAuk。AndIwon'tjudgehimasacollie。Takehimoutofthering。You'redelayingtheothers。"
Ajudge'sdecisionisfinal。RedwithangryshameandsuppressinganunworthydesiretokickthelucklessBruce，theMasterledthepupbacktohisallottedbench。Brucetrottedcheerilyalongwithamaddeningairofhavingdonesomethingtobeproudof。DeaftotheMistress'ssympathyandtohertimidlyvoicedprotests，theMasterscrawledonanenvelope-backthewords"ForSale。NameYourOwnPrice，"andpinneditontheedgeofthebench。
"Hereendeththefirstlessonincollie-raising，sofarasThePlaceisconcerned，"hedecreed，stalkingbacktotheringsidetowatchtherestofthejudging。
TheMistresslingeredbehind，tobestowafurtiveconsolatorypatuponthedisqualifiedBruce。Thenshejoinedherhusbandbesidethering。
Itwasprobablybyaccidentthatherskirtbrushedsharplyagainstthebench-edgeasshewent——knockingthe"ForSale"signdownintothelitterofstrawbelow。
Butawell-meaningfellow-exhibitor，acrosstheaisle，sawthebitofpaperflutterfloorward。Thisgoodsoulrescueditfromthestrawandpinneditbackinplace。
（Theworldisfullofhelpfulfolk。ThatisperhapsonereasonwhytheMillennium'sdateisstillsoindefinite。）
Anhourlater，amantouchedtheMasteronthearm。
"Thatdogofyour，onBench48，"beganthestranger，"thebigpupwiththe'ForSale'signonhisbench。Whatdoyouwantforhim？"
TheMistresswasseveralfeetaway，talkingtothesuperintendentoftheshow。Guiltily，yetgratefully，theMasterledthewould-
bepurchaserbacktothebenches，withoutattractinghiswife'snotice。
Afewminutesafterwardhereturnedtowheresheandthesuperintendentwerechatting。
"Well，"saidtheMaster，tryingtosteelhimselfagainsthiswife'spossibledisappointment，"IfoundabuyerforBruce——aDr。
Halding，fromNewYork。Helikesthepup。SaysBrucelooksasifhewasstrongandhadlotsofendurance。Iwonderifhewantshimforasledge-dog。Hepaidmefifteendollarsforhim；anditwasamightygoodbargain。Iwasluckytogetmorethananickelforsuchacur。"
TheMastershotforththisspeechinalmostasinglerapidbreath。Then，beforehiswifecouldreply，——andwithoutdaringtolookintohertroubledeyes，——hediscoveredanacquaintanceonthefarsideoftheringandbustledofftospeaktohim。TheMaster，yousee，wasahusband，notahero。
TheMistressturnedaworriedgazeonthesuperintendent。
"Itwasbest，Isuppose，"shesaidbravely。"Weagreedhemustbesold，ifthejudgedecidedhewasnotanygood。ButI'msorry。
ForI'mfondofhim。I'msorryheisgoingtoliveinNewYork，too。Abigcityisnoplaceforabigdog。IhopethisDr。
Haldingwillbenicetothepoorpuppy。"
"Dr。——WHO？"sharplyqueriedthesuperintendent，whohadnotcaughtthenamewhentheMasterhadspokenitinhisrapid-firespeech。"Dr。Halding？OfNewYork？Huh！
"Youneedn'tworryabouttheeffectofcitylifeonyourdog，"hewentonwithvenomousbitterness。"Thepupwon'thaveaverylongspellofit。IfIhadmyway，thatmanHaldingwouldbebarredfromeverydog-showandstuckinjail。It'sanoldtrickofhis，tobuyupthoroughbreds，cheap，atshows。Thebiggerandthestrongertheyare，themorehepaysforthem。Heseemstothinkpedigreeddogsarebetterforhisfilthypurposesthanstreetcurs。Theyhaveahighernervousorganism，Isuppose。Theswine！"
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedtheMistress，puzzledbyhisvehemence。
"Idon't——"
"YoumusthaveheardofHaldingandhisso-called'researchwork，'"thesuperintendentwenton。"Heisoneofthemostnotoriousvivisectionistsin——"
Thesuperintendentgotnofurther。Hewastalkingtoemptyair。
TheMistresshadfled。HerdeterminedsmallfiguremadeatumbledwakethroughthecrowdasshespedtowardBruce'sbench。Thepuppywasnolongerthere。InanothersecondtheMistresswasatthedoorofthebuilding。
Alineofparkedcarswasstretchedacrosstheoppositesideofthevillagestreet。Intooneofthesecarsalargeandloose-
jointedmanwasliftingalargeandloose-jointeddog。Thedogdidnotlikehistreatment，andwasstrugglingpatheticallyinvainawkwardnesstogetfree。
"Bruce！"calledtheMistress，fiercely，asshedashedacrossthestreet。
Thepuppyheardthefamiliarvoiceandhowledforrelease。Dr。
Haldingstruckhimroughlyovertheheadandscrambledintothemachinewithhim，reachingwithhisonedisengagedhandfortheself-starterbutton。Beforehecouldtouchit，theMistresswasontherunning-boardofthecar。
Assheran，shehadopenedherwristbag。Now，flingingontherunabout'sseatatenandafive-dollarbill，shedemanded——
"Givememydog！Thereisthemoneyyoupaidforhim！"
"Heisn'tforsale，"grinnedtheDoctor。"Standclear，please。
I'mstarting。"
"You'redoingnothingofthesort，"wasthehotreply。"You'llgivebackmydog！Doyouunderstand？"
ForanswerHaldingreachedagaintowardhisself-starter。A
renewedstrugglefromthewhimperingpuppyfrustratedhisaimandforcedhimtodevotebothhandstothesubduingofBruce。ThedogwasmakingfranticwrithingstogettotheMistress。Shecaughthisfurryruffandragedon，sickwithanger"Iknowwhoyouareandwhatyouwantthispoorfrightenedpuppyfor。Youshan'thavehim！Thereseemstobenolawtopreventhumandevilsfromstrappinghelplessdogstoatableandtorturingthemtodeathintheunholynameofscience。Butifthereisn'tacornerwaitingforthem，below，it'sonlybecauseHadescan'tbemadehotenoughtopunishsuchmenastheyoughttobepunished！You'renotgoingtotortureBruce。There'syourmoney。Letgoofhim。"
"Youtalklikeallsilly，sloppysentimentalists！"scoffedtheDoctor，hisslightGermanaccentbecomingmorenoticeableashecontinued："Awomancan'thavetheintellecttounderstandourservicestohumanity。We——"
"Neitherhavehalftherealdoctors！"sheflashed。"Fullyhalfofthemdenythatvivisectioneverhelpedhumanity。Andhalftheremaindersaytheyareindoubt。Theycan'tpointtoasingledefinitecasewhereithasbeenofuse。Alienistssayit'sadistinctformofmentalperversion，——thecravingtotorturedumbanimalstodeathandtomakescientificnotesoftheirsufferings。"
"Pah！"hesniffed。"I——"
Shehurriedon"Ifhumanitycan'tbehelpedwithoutcuttinglivedogsandkittenstoshreds，inslowagony——thensomuchtheworseforhumanity！Ifyouvivisectorswouldbecontenttopracticeononeanother——oroncondemnedmurderers，——insteadofonfriendlyandinnocentdogs，there'dbenocomplaintfromanyone。Butleaveourpetsalone。Letgoofmypuppy！"
BywayofresponsetheDoctorgruntedinloftycontempt。Atthesametimehetuckedthewrigglingdogunderhisrightarm，holdinghimthusmomentarilysafe，andpressedtheself-starterbutton。
Therewasasubduedwhir。AmoveofHalding'sfootandareleaseofthebrake，andthecarstartedforward。
"Standclear！"heordered。"I'mgoing。"
ThejoltofthesuddenstartwastoomuchfortheMistress'sbalanceontherunning-board。Backshetoppled。Onlybyluckdidshelandonherfeetinsteadofherhead，uponthegreasypavementofthestreet。
Butshesprangforwardagain，withalittlecryofindignantdismay，andreacheddesperatelyintothemovingcarforBruce，callinghimeagerlybyname。
Dr。Haldingwassteeringwithhislefthand，whilehisviselikerightarmstillencircledtheprotestingcollie。AstheMistressranalongsideandgraspedfranticallyforherdoomedpet，heletgoofBruceforaninstant，tofendoffherhand——orperhapstothrustherawayfromtheperilofthefast-movingmud-guards。AttheMistress'scry——andatthebriefletupofpressurecausedbytheDoctor'smenacinggesturetowardtheunhappywoman——Bruce'slong-sleepingsoulawoke。Heansweredthecryandtheman'sblowathisdeityintheimmemorialfashionofalldogswhosehumangodsarethreatened。
Therewasasnarlingwild-beastgrowl，thefirstthateverhadcomefromtheclownlikepuppy'sthroat，——andBruceflunghisunwieldyyoungbodystraightforthevivisector'sthroat。
Halding，withaviciousfist-lunge，sentthepuptothefloorofthecarinacrumpledheap，butnotbeforethecurvingwhiteeyeteethhadslashedthesideoftheman'sthroatinanuglyflesh-woundthatdroveitswaydangerouslyclosetothejugular。
Halfstunnedbytheblow，andwiththebreathknockedoutofhim，BrucenonethelessgatheredhimselftogetherwithlightningspeedandlaunchedhisbulkoncemoreforHalding'sthroat。
Thistimehemissedhismark——forseveralthingshappenedallatonce。
Atthedog'sfirstonslaught，Halding'sfoothadswungforward，alongwithhisfist，inaninstinctivekick。ThekickdidnotreachBruce。Butitlanded，fullandeffectively，ontheaccelerator。
Thepowerfulcarrespondedtothetouchwithabound。AnditdidsoattheverymomentthattheflashofwhiteteethathisthroatmadeHaldingsnatchhisownlefthandinstinctivelyfromthesteering-wheel，inordertoguardthethreatenedspot。
Asecondlatertherunaboutcrashedatfullspeedintothewallofahouseonthenarrowstreet'soppositeside。
Therestwaschaos。
Whenacrowdofidlersandapolicemanatlastrightedthewreckedcar，twobodieswerefoundhuddledinertlyamidajunk-
heapofsplinteredglassandshiveredwoodandtwistedmetal。Thelocalambulancecarriedawayoneoftheselimpbodies。ThePlace'scarrushedthesmash-up'sothersenselessvictimtotheofficeofthenearestveterinary。Dr。Halding，withashatteredshoulder-bladeandafracturednoseandjawandamildcaseofbrain-concussion，——wasreceivedasaguestofhonoratthevillagehospital。
Bruce，hisleftforelegbrokenandanastyassortmentofglass-
cutsmarringthefluffinessofhisfur，wasskillfullypatchedupbythevet'andcarriedbackthatnighttoThePlace。
Thepuppyhadsuddenlytakenonanewvalueinhisowners'eyes——
partlyforhisgallantlypunyeffortatdefendingtheMistress，partlybecauseofhispitifulcondition。Andhewasnursed，rightzealously，backtolifeandhealth。
Inafewweeks，theplastercastontheconvalescent'sbrokenforeleghadbeenreplacedbyabandage。Inanotherweekortwothevet'pronouncedBruceaswellasever。Thedog，throughhabit，stillheldthemendedforelegofftheground，evenafterthebandagewasremoved。Whereat，theMastertiedabandagetightlyabouttheuninjuredforeleg。
Bruceatoncedecidedthatthis，andnottheother，wasthelameleg；andhebeganforthwithtolimponit。Asitwasmanifestlyimpossibletokeepbothforelegsoffthegroundatthesametimewhenhewaswalking，hewasforcedtomakeuseoftheonce-brokenleg。Finding，tohisamaze，thathecouldwalkonitwithperfectease，hedevotedhislimpingsolelytothewellleg。AndassoonastheMastertookthebandagefromthat，Bruceceasedtolimpatall。
Meanwhile，alawyer，whosenamesoundedasthoughithadbeenculledfromaRhineWinelist，hadbegunsuit，inDr。Halding'sname，againsttheMistress，asa"contributorycause"ofhisclient'saccident。Thesuitnevercametotrial。Itwasdropped，indeed，withmuchhaste。Notfromanychangeofheartontheplaintiff'sbehalf；butbecause，atthatjuncture，Dr。HaldingchancedtobearrestedandinternedasadangerousEnemyAlien。
OurcountryhadrecentlydeclaredwaronGermany；andthebelatedspy-huntwasup。
DuringtheFederalofficers'searchofthedoctor'shouse，fortreasonabledocuments（ofwhichtheyfoundanamplesupply），theycameuponhislaboratory。Nofewerthanfivedogs，invaryingstagesofhideoustorture，werefoundstrappedtotablesorhangingtowall-hooks。Thevivisectorbewailed，loudlyandgutturally，thiscruelinterruptiontohisresearchesinScience'sbehalf。
Oneday，twomonthsaftertheaccident，Brucestoodonallfourfeetoncemore，withnovestigeleftofscarsoroflameness。Andthen，forthefirsttime，asteadychangethathadbeensoslowastoescapeanyone'snoticedawnedupontheMistressandtheMaster。Itstruckthembothatthesamemoment。Andtheystareddullyattheirpet。
Theshapeless，bumptious，foolishPestoftwomonthsagohadvanished。Inhisplace，byaverynormalprocessofnature-magic，stoodamagnificentlystatelythoroughbredcollie。
Thebigheadhadtaperedsymmetrically，andhadlostitspuppyformlessness。ItwasnowaheadworthyofLandseer'sownpencil。
Thebonilyawkwardbodyhadlengthenedandhadlostitsmyriadknobsandangles。Ithadgrownmassivelygraceful。
Theformerthatchofhalf-curlyandindeterminatelyyellowishfuzzhadchangedtoaroughtawnycoat，wavyandunbelievablyheavy，stippledattheendswithglossyblack。TherewasastrangedepthandreposeandSoulinthedarkeyes——yes，andakeenintelligence，too。
ItwastheoldstoryoftheUglyDuckling，alloveragain。
"Why！"gaspedtheMistress。"He's——he'sBEAUTIFUL！AndIneverknewit。"
Atherlovedvoicethegreatdogmovedacrosstowhereshesat。
Lightlyhelaidonelittlewhitepawonherkneeandlookedgravelyupintohereyes。
"He'sgotsense，too，"chimedintheMaster。"Lookatthoseeyes，ifyoudoubtit。They'realivewithintelligence。It's——it'samiracle！Hecan'tbethesameworthlesswhelpIwantedtogetridof！HeCAN'T！"
Andhewasnot。Thelongillness，atthemostformativetimeofthedog'sgrowth，haddoneitsworkindevelopingwhat，allthetime，hadlainlatent。Thesameillness——andthelong-enforcedpersonaltouchwithhumans——haddoneanequallytransformingworkonthepuppy'sundevelopedmind。TheThackeray-Washington-
Lincoln-Bismarcksimilehadheldgood。
WhatlookedlikeamiraclewasnomorethanthesamebeautifullysimpleprocesswhichNatureenactseveryday，whenshechangesanawkwardanddirt-coloredcygnetintoagloriousswanoraleggilygawkycoltintoasuperbDerby-winner。ButBruce'smetamorphosisseemednonethelesswonderfulintheeyesofthetwopeoplewhohadlearnedtolovehim。
SomewhereinthehideouswreckofDr。Halding'smotorcarthedoghadfoundasoul——andtheresthadfollowedasanaturalcourseofgrowth。
Attheautumndog-show，inHampton，a"dark-sable-and-white"
collieofunwontedsizeandbeautywalkedproudlyintotheringclosetotheMistress'sside，whenthepuppyclasswascalled——aclassthatincludesalldogsundertwelvemonthsold。SixminuteslatertheMistresswasgleesomelyacceptingthefirst-prizeblueribbon，for"bestpuppy，"fromJudgeSymonds'owngnarledhand。
Thencametheotherclassesforcollies——"Novice，""Open，"
"Limit，""Local，""AmericanBred。"AndasBrucepacedmajesticallyoutoftheringatlast，hewasthepossessoroffivemoreblueribbons——aswellastheblueWinner'srosette，for"bestcollieintheshow。"
"Greatdogyou'vegotthere，madam！"commentedSymondsinsolemnapprovalashehandedtheWinner'srosettetotheMistress。"Finedogineveryway。Finepromise。Hewillgofar。OneofthebesttypesI've——"
"Doyoureallythinkso？"sweetlyrepliedtheMistress。"Why，oneoftheforemostcolliejudgesinAmericahasgoneonrecordascallinghima'measlySt。Bernardmonstrosity。'"
"No？"snortedSymonds，incredulous。"Youdon'tsayso！Ajudgewhowouldspeakso，ofthatdog，doesn'tunderstandhisbusiness。
He——"
"Oh，yes，hedoes！"contradictedtheMistress，glancinglovinglyatherhandfulofblueribbons。"Ithinkheunderstandshisbusinessverywellindeed——NOW！"
CHAPTERIII。TheWarDogTheguesthaddecidedtowaituntilnextmorning，beforeleavingThePlace，insteadoffollowinghisfirstplanoftakinganighttraintoNewYork。HewasacaptaininourregulararmyandhadnewlycomebackfromFrancetoforgetanassortmentofshrapnel——
bitesandtoteachpracticaltacticstorookies。
HereachedhisdecisiontoremainovernightatThePlacewhileheandtheMistressandtheMasterweresittingonthevine-hungwestverandaafterdinner，watchingthefloodofsunsetchangethelaketomoltengoldandtheskytopinkfire。Itwouldbepleasanttostealanotherfewhoursatthisback-countryHouseofPeacebeforereturningtothehumdrumdutiesofcamp。Andtheguestyieldedtothetemptation。
"I'mmightygladyoucanstayovertillmorning，"saidtheMaster。"I'llsendwordtoRobertsnottobringupthecar。"
Ashespoke，hescrawledapenciledlineonanenvelope-back；
thenhewhistled。
Fromacoollounging-placebeneaththewistaria-vinesaroseahugecollie——statelyofform，darkbrownandwhiteofcoat，deep-
setofeyeandwithaheadthatsomehowremindedoneofaLandseerengraving。ThecollietrottedupthestepsoftheverandaandstoodexpectantbeforetheMaster。Thelatterhadbeenfoldingtheenvelopelengthwise。Nowheslippeditthroughtheringinthedog'scollar。
"GiveittoRoberts，"hesaid。
Thebigcollieturnedandsetoffatahand-gallop。
"Good！"approvedtheguest。"Brucedidn'tseemtobeinanydoubtastowhatyouwantedhimtodo。HeknowswhereRobertsislikelytobe？"
"No，"saidtheMaster。"Buthecantrackhimandfindhim，ifRobertsisanywherewithinamileorsofromhere。Thatwasoneofthefirstthingswetaughthim——tocarrymessages。Allwedoistoslipthepaperintohiscollar-ringandtellhimthenameofthepersontotakeitto。Naturally，heknowsusallbyname。
Soitiseasyenoughforhimtodoit。Welookonthetrickastremendouslyclever。Butthat'sbecauseweloveBruce。Almostanydogcanbetaughttodoit，Isuppose。We——"
"You'remistaken！"correctedtheguest。"AlmostanydogCAN'Tbetaughtto。Somedogscan，ofcourse；buttheyaretheexception。
Ioughttoknow，forI'vebeenwheredog-couriersareadecidedlyimportantfeatureoftrench-warfare。Istoppedatoneofthedog-
trainingschoolsinEngland，too，onmywaybackfromPicardy，andwatchedtheteachingofthedogsthataresenttoFranceandFlanders。Notoneintencanbetrainedtocarrymessages；andnotoneinthirtycanbecountedontodoitreliably。YououghttobeproudofBruce。"
"Weare，"repliedtheMistress。"Heisoneofthefamily。Wethinkeverythingofhim。Hewassuchastupidandawkwardpuppy，too！Then，injustafewmonths，heshapedup，asheisnow。Andhisbrainwoke。"
Bruceinterruptedthetalkbyreappearingontheveranda。Thefoldedenvelopewasstillintheringonhiscollar。TheguestglancedfurtivelyattheMaster，expectingsomesignofchagrinatthecollie'sfailure。
Instead，theMastertooktheenvelope，unfoldeditandglancedatawordortwothathadbeenwrittenbeneathhisownscrawl；thenhemadeanotherpenciledadditiontotheenvelope'swriting，stuckthetwistedpaperbackintotheringandsaid——
"Roberts。"
OfftrottedBruceonhissecondtrip。
"Ihadforgottentosaywhichtrainyou'llhavetotakeinthemorning，"explainedtheMaster。"SoRobertswrote，askingwhattimehewastohavethecaratthedoorafterbreakfast。Itwascarelessofme。"
Theguestdidnotanswer。ButwhenBrucepresentlyreturned，——
thistimewithnopaperinhiscollar-ring，——theofficerpassedhishandappraisinglythroughthedog'sheavycoatandlookedkeenlydownintohisdarkeyes。
"Gun-shy？"askedtheguest。"Orperhapshe'sneverheardagunfired？"
"He'sheardhundredsofgunsfired，"saidtheMaster。"IneverallowaguntobefiredonThePlace，ofcourse，becausewe'vemadeitabirdrefuge。ButBrucewentwithusinthecartothetestingoftheLewismachineguns，upatHaskell。Theymadeamostungodlyracket。Butsomehowitdidn'tseemtobothertheBigDogatall。"
"H'm！"musedtheguest，hisprofessionalinterestvehementlyroused。"Hewouldbeworthafortuneoverthere。Therearealotofcolliesintheservice，inonecapacityoranother——almostasmanyastheAiredalesandthepolicedogs。Andtheyaredoinggrandwork。ButIneversawonethatwasbetterfittedforitthanBruce。It'sapityhelivesonthewrongsideoftheAtlantic。Hecoulddohisbit，tomoreeffectthantheaveragehuman。Therearehundredsofthousandsofmenfortheranks，butpitifullyfewperfectcourier-dogs。"
TheMistresswaslisteningwithatensitywhichmomentarilygrewmorepainful。TheMaster'sforehead，too，wascreasedwithanewthoughtthatseemedtohurthim。Tobreakthebriefsilencethatfollowedtheguest'swords，heasked：
"Arethedogs，overthere，reallydoingsuchgreatworkasthepaperssaytheyare？Iread，theotherday——"
"'Greatwork！'"repeatedtheguest。"Ishouldsayso。Notonlyinfindingthewoundedandactingasguardsonlisteningposts，andallthat，butmostofallascouriers。Thereareplentyoftimeswhenthewirelesscan'tbeusedforsendingmessagesfromonepointtoanother，andwherethereisnotelephoneconnection，andwherethefiringistoohotforahumancouriertogetthrough。Thatiswhereisthewardogshaveprovedtheirweightinradium。Collies，mostly。Therearea，milliontruestoriesoftheirprowesstold，atcamp-fires。Herearejusttwosuchincidents——bothofthemonrecord，bytheway，attheBritishWarOffice"Acollie，downnearSoissons，wassentacrossabadstripoffire-scourgedground，withamessage。Abochesharpshooterfiredathimandshatteredhisjaw。Thedogkepton，inhorribleagony，anddeliveredthemessage。Anothercolliewassentoverastillhotterandmuchlongerstretchofterritorywithamessage。（ThatwasduringtheSommedriveof1916。）Hewasshotat，adozentimes，asheran。Atlasttwobulletsgothim。Hefellover，mortallywounded。Hescrambledtohisfeetandkeptonfalling，stumbling，staggering——tillhegottohisdestination。ThenhedroppeddeadatthesideoftheColonelthemessagehadbeensentto。Andthoseareonlytwoofthousandsoftruecollie-anecdotes。
YetsomefoolsaretryingtogetAmericandogsdoneawaywith，as'non-utilitarian，'whilethewarlasts！AsifthedogsinFrance，today，weren'tearningtheiroverseasbrothers'righttolive——
andlivewell！"
Neitherofhishearersmadereplywhentheguestfinishedhisearnest，eagerrecital。Neitherofthemhadpaidmuchheedtohisfinalwords。FortheMasterandtheMistresswerelookingateachotherinmuteunhappiness。Thesamemiserablethoughtwasinthemindofeach。Andeachknewthethoughtthatwastorturingthemindoftheother。
Presently，ataglintofinquiryintheMaster'seye，theMistresssuddenlybentoverandburiedherfaceinthedeepmassofBruce'sruffasthedogstoodlovinglybesideher。Then，stillstrokingthecollie'ssilkenhead，shereturnedherhusband'swretchedlyquestioningglancewitharesignedlittlenod。TheMasterclearedhisthroatnoisilybeforehecouldspeakwiththecalmindifferencehesought。Then，turningtotheapparentlyunnoticingguest，hesaid——
"IthinkItoldyouItriedtogetacrosstoFranceattheverystart——andIwasbarredbecauseIampastfortyandbecauseI
haveabumheartandseveralotherdefectsthatasoldierisn'tsupposedtohave。MywifeandIhavetriedtodowhatlittlewecanfortheCause，onthissideoftheocean。Butithasseemedwoefullylittle，whenwerememberwhatothersaredoing。Andwehavenosonwecansend。"
Againheclearedhisthroatandwentonwithsulkyungraciousness：
"Webothknowwhatyou'vebeendrivingatforthepastfiveminutes。And——andweagree。Brucecango。"
"Great！"applaudedtheguest。"That'sfine！He'llbeworthhis——"
"Ifyouthinkwe'reacoupleoffoolsfornotdoingthismorewillingly，"wentontheMasterwithsavageearnestness，"juststoptothinkwhatitmeanstoamantogiveupthedogheloves。
Nottogivehimuptosomeonewhowillassurehimagoodhome，buttosendhimoverintothathell，whereaGermanbulletorashell-fragmentorhungerordiseaseiscertaintogethim，soonorlate。Tothinkofhimlyingsmashedandhelpless，somewhereinNoMan'sLand，waitingfordeath；orcaughtbytheenemyandeaten！（TheRedCrossbulletinsaysnolessthaneightthousanddogswereeaten，inSaxonyalone，in1913，theyearBEFOREthewarbegan。）OrelsetobecapturedandthencutupbysomeGermanvivisector-surgeoninthesacredinterestsofScience！Oh，wecanbringourselvestosendBruceoverthere！Butdon'texpectustodoitwithagoodgrace。Forwecan't。"
"I——"begantheembarrassedguest；buttheMistresschimedin，hersweetvoicenotquitesteady。
"Yousee，Captain，we'vemadesuchapet——suchababy——ofBruce！
Allhislifehehaslivedhere——herewherehehadthewoodstowanderinandthelaketoswimin，andthishouseforhishome。
Hewillbesounhappyand——Well，don'tlet'stalkaboutthat！
WhenIthinkofthepeoplewhogivetheirsonsandeverythingtheyhave，tothecountry，Ifeelashamedofnotbeingmorewillingtoletameredoggo。ButthenBruceisnotjusta'meredog。'Heis——heisBRUCE。AllIaskisthatifheisinjuredandnotkilled，you'llarrangetohavehimsentbackheretous。
We'llpayforit，ofcourse。Andwillyouwritetowhomeveryouhappentoknow，atthatdog-trainingschoolinEngland，andaskthatBrucebetreatednicelywhileheistrainingthere？He'sneverbeenwhipped。He'sneverneededit，yousee。"
TheMistressmighthavesparedherselfmuchworryastoBruce'streatmentinthetrainingschooltowhichhewasconsigned。Itwasnotaplaceofcruelty，butofdevelopment。Andwhen，outofthethousandsofdogssentthere，thecorpsoftrainersfoundonewithpromiseofstrongability，suchapupilwashandledwithallthecareandgentlenessandskillthatatemperamentalprimadonnamightexpect。
SuchadogwasthebigAmericancollie，debarkedfromagoodscaratthetrainingcamprailwaystation，sixweeksaftertheMistressandtheMasterhadconsentedtohisenlistment。Andthehandlerstreatedhimaccordingly。
TheMasterhimselfhadtakenBrucetothetransport，inBrooklyn，andhadledhimaboardtheoverfullship。Thenewsightsandsoundsaroundhiminterestedthehome-bredcollie。ButwhentheMasterturnedhimovertotheofficerinwhosechargehewastobeforthevoyage，Bruce'sdeep-seteyescloudedwithasuddenheartsickforeboding。
Wrenchinghimselffreefromthefriendlyhandonhiscollar，hespranginpursuitofhisdepartingdeity，——thelovedMasterwhowasleavinghimaloneanddesolateamongallthesestrangescenesandnoises。TheMaster，plodding，sullenandheavy-hearted，towardthegangway，wasawareofacoldnosethrustintohisdejectedhand。
LookingdownhebeheldBrucestaringupathimwithaworldofstarkappealinhistroubledgaze。TheMasterswallowedhard；
thenlaidhishandonthebeautifulheadpressedsoconfidinglyagainsthisknee。Turning，heledthedogbacktothequartersassignedtohim。
"Stayhere，oldfriend！"hecommanded，huskily。"It'sallright。
You'llmakegood。Iknowthat。Andthere'sachanceinabillionthatyou'llcomebacktous。I'm——I'mnotdesertingyou。AndI
guessthere'spreciouslittledangerthatanyoneonThePlacewilleverforgetyou。It's——it'sallright。Millionsofhumansaredoingit。I'dgiveeverythingI'vegot，ifIcouldgo，too。
IT'SALLRIGHT！"
ThenBruceunderstoodatlastthathewastostayinthisplaceofabominations，farfromeverythingheloved；andthathemustdosobecausetheMasterordainedit。Hemadenofurtherefforttobreakawayandtofollowhisgodashore。Butheshiveredconvulsivelyfromheadtofoot；andhisdesolategazecontinuedtotracetheMaster'srecedingfigureoutofsight。Then，withalongsigh，helaydown，heavily，hisheadbetweenhiswhiteforepaws，andresignedhimselftowhateveroffuturemiseryhisdeitiesmighthaveordainedforhim。
Ensuedafortnightofmentalandbodilyanguish，astheinland-
reareddogtastedthehorrorsofavoyageinarollingship，throughheavingseas。Afterward，camethelandingataBritishportandthetrainridetothecampwhichwastobehishomeforthenextthreemonths。
Bruce'ssenseofsmelltoldhimthecampcontainedmoredogsthaneverhehadbeheldinallhisbrieflifeputtogether。Buthishearingwouldhaveledhimtobelievetherewerenotadozenotherdogswithinamileofhim。
Fromtheencampmentarosenoneoftheracketybarkingwhichbetokensthepresenceofmanycanines，andwhichdeafensvisitorstoadog-show。
Oneofthecamp'sfirstandmoststringentrulesforbadebarking，exceptunderspecialorder。Thesedogs——orthepickofthem——weredestinedforworkatthefront。Thebarkofadoghasacarryingqualitygreaterthanthecombinedshoutingoftenmen。Itisthelastsoundtofollowaballoonist，afterhehasrisenabovethereachofallotherearth-noises。
Hence，achancebark，risingthroughthenighttowheresomeenemyairmansoaredwithenginesturnedoff，mightwellleadtothebombingofhithertounlocatedtrenchesordetachment-camps。
Forthisanddiversotherreasons，thefirstlessontaughttoarrivingwardogswastoabstainfrombarking。
Thedogsweredivided，roughly，bybreeds，asregardedthelineoftrainingassignedtothem。Thecolliesweretaughtcourier-
work。TheAiredales，too，——hideous，cruel，snake-headed，——wereusedascouriers，aswellastobearRedCrosssuppliesandtohuntforthewounded。Thegauntandwolflikepolicedogswerepressedintothetwolattertasks，andweretaughtlistening-postduty。Andsoonthroughallavailablebreeds，——includingthestolidlywiseOldEnglishsheepdogswhoweretoproveinvaluableinfindingandsuccoringandreportingthewounded，——downtothehumbleterriersandmongrelswhoweretaughttoridtrenchesofvermin。
Everywherewasquietefficiencyandtirelesslypatientandskillfulworkonthepartofthetrainers。ForBritain'sbestdogmenhadbeenrecruitedforservicehere。Ontheperfectionoftheircharges'trainingmightdependthefateofmanythousandgallantsoldiers。Wherefore，thetrainingwasperfect。
Hundredsofdogsprovedstupidorunreliableorgun-shyortooeasilyconfusedinmomentsofstress。Thesewereweededout，continually，andshippedbacktothemasterswhohadprofferedthem。
Othersdevelopedwithamazingspeedandcleverness，graspingtheirprofessionascouldfewhumansoldiers。AndBruce，lonelyandheartsore，yetthrowinghimselfintohislaborswithallthezestofthebestthoroughbredtype，——wasoneofthisgroup。
Hisearlyteachingsnowstoodhimingoodstead。Whatoncehadbeenajollygame，forhisownamusementandthatoftheMistressandtheMaster，wasnowhislife-work。Steadilyhistrainerwroughtoverhim，bringingoutlatentabilitiesthatwouldhavedumfoundedhisearliestteachers，steadyinganddirectingthegaylydashingintelligence；upbuildingandroundingoutallhisnativegifts。
AdogofBruce'sraretypemadeuptothetrainersforthedullnessoftheiraveragepupils。Helearnedwithbewilderingease。Heneverforgotalessononcetaught。
No，theMistressneednothaveintercededtosavehimfrombeating。AssoonwouldanimpresariothinkofthrashingCarusoorPaderewskiaswouldBruce'sglumScottishtrainerhavelaidwhiptothisbestpupilofhis。LifewasbareandstrictforBruce。
Butlifewasneverunkindtohim，inthesefirstmonthsofexilefromThePlace。And，bitbybit，hebegantotakeajoyinhiswork。
Notforaday，——perhapsnotforanhour，didthebigcollieforgetthehomeofhisbabyhoodorthosehehaddelightedtoworship，there。Andthelookofsadnessinhisdarkeyesbecameasettledaspect。Yet，here，therewasmuchtointerestandtoexcitehim。Andhegrewtolookforwardwithpleasuretohisdailylessons。
Attheendofthreemonths，hewasshippedtoFrance。Therehisseeminglyaimlessstudiesatthetrainingcampwereputtoactiveuse。
**********
AtthefootofthelongFlandershill-slopethe"Here-We-Come"
Regiment，ofmixedAmericanandFrenchinfantry，heldacaterpillar-shapedlineoftrenches。
Totheright，afewhundredyardsaway，waspostedaLancashireregiment，supportedbyabattalionfromCornwall。OntheleftweretwoFrenchregiments。Infront，facingthehill-slopeandnotahalf-miledistant，wasthegeometricarrangementofsandbagsthatmarkedthecontouroftheGermanfirst-linetrenches。
Thehillbehindthem，thebochesinfrontofthem，FrenchandBritishtroopsoneithersideofthem——theHere-We-Comeswerehelpingtodefendwhatwasknownasa"quiet'sector。Behindthehill，andonloftierheightsfartotherear，theAlliedartillerywasposted。SomewhereinthesamegenerallocalitylayadivisionofBritishreserves。
ItisalmostawasteofwordstohavedescribedthusthesurroundingsoftheHere-We-Comes。For，withnowarningatall，thoseentiresurroundingswereabouttobechanged。
LudendorffandhislittleplaymateswerejustthenengagedinthecongenialsportofdeliveringunexpectedblowsatvarioussuccessivepointsoftheAlliedline，inanefforttofindsomespotthatwassoftenoughtocaveinundertheimpactandletthroughahordeofgray-cladHuns。Andthoughnoneofthedefendersknewit，this"quiet"sectorhadbeenchosenforsuchaminorblow。
Themeninhighercommand，backtherebehindthehillcrest，hadabelatedinkling，though，ofaproposedattackonthelightlydefendedfronttrenches。FortheAlliedairplaneswhichdriftedintheupperheavenslikeascatteredhandfulofdragon-flieswerenotdriftingthereaimlessly。Theyweretheeyesofthesnakelikecolumnsthatcrawledsoblindlyonthescarredbrownsurfaceoftheearth。Andthose"eyes"haddiscernedthemassingofaforcebehindtheGermanlinehaddiscernedandhaddulyreportedit。
Theattackmightcomeinaday。Itmightnotcomeinaweek。Butitwascoming——unlessthebehind-the-linespreparationswereagiganticfeint。
Aquietdawn，inthequiettrenchesofthequietsector。
Desultoryartilleryandsomewhatlessdesultorysnipinghadprevailedthroughoutthenight，andatdaybreak；butnothingoutoftheordinary。
Twomenonlistening-posthadbeenshot；andsohadanovercurioussentrywhopeepedjustaninchtoofaraboveaparapet。Ashellhadburstinatrench，knockingthetelephoneconnectionoutofgearandhalfburyingasquadofsleepersunderalotofearth。Otherwise，thingsweredrowsilydull。
InadugoutsprawledTop-SergeantMahan，——formerlyofUncleSam'sregulararmy，playinganuninspiringgameofpokerwithSergeantDaleofhiscompanyandSergeantVivieroftheFrenchinfantry。
TheFrenchmanwasslowinlearningpoker'smysteries。
And，anyway，allthreemenweretemporarilypennilessandwereforcedtoplayforI。O。U's——whichisstupidsport，atbest。
Sowhen，fromtheGermanline，cameaquicksputt-sputt-sputtfromahalf-dozensharpshooters'rifles，allthreemenlookedupfromtheirdesultorygameinrealinterest。Mahangottohisfeetwithagrunt。
"Someotherfoolhasbeentryingtoseehowfarhecanrubberabovethesandbagswithoutdrawingbochefire，"hehazarded，startingouttoinvestigate。"It'samiracletomehowabochebulletcangothroughheadsthataresofulloffirst-qualityivoryasthoserubberers'。"
ButMahan'sstrictureswerequiteunwarranted。Thesharpshooterswerenotfiringattheparapet。Theirscatteringshotswereflyinghigh，andhittingagainsttheslopeofthehillbehindthetrenches。
Adownthisshell——pockedhillside，asMahanandtheotherdisturbedidlersgazed，camecanteringahugedark-brown-and-
whitecollie。Themorningwindstirredtheblackstipplingthatedgedhistawnyfur，showingthegold-grayundercoatbeneathit。
Hiswhitechestwaslikeasnowdrift，andofferedafinemarkfortheGermanrifles。Abulletortwosangwhininglypasthisgaylyup-flunghead。
AhundredvoicesfromtheHere-We-Cometrencheshailedtheadvancingdog。
"Why，it'sBruce！"criedMahaningladwelcome。"Imight'a'
knownheoranotherofthecollieswouldbealong。Imight'a'
knownit，whenthetelephoneswentoutofcommission。He——"
"Regardez-donc！"interruptedtheadmiringVivier。"Heactslikebulletswasmadeofflies！Moochhecareforbochelead-pills，cebravevieux！"
"Yes，"growledDaleworriedly；"andoneofthesedaysabulletwillfinditswayintothatsplendidcarcassofhis。He'sbeenshotat，athousandtimes，tomyownknowledge。AndallIaskisachance，witharifle-butt，attheskulloftheHunwhodownshim！"
"DownsBruce？"queriedVivierinfinescorn。"Thebocheheisnobornedwhocandoit。Brucehaswhatyoucallit，inAinglish，the'charmlife。'Hegosafe，whereothercanichebepepper-
pottedfullofholes。I'vewatchheem。Iknow。"
Unscathedbytheseveralshotsthatwhinedpasthim，Brucecametoahaltattheedgeofatraverse。Therehestood，wagginghisplumeofatailingravefriendliness，whileascoreofkhaki-
cladarmsreacheduptolifthimbodilyintothetrench。
Asergeantunfastenedthemessagefromthedog'scollarandpostedofftothecolonelwithit。
Themessagewassimilartoonewhichhadbeentelephonedtoeachofthesupportingbodies，torightandtoleftoftheHere-We-
Comes。Itbadethecolonelpreparetowithdrawhiscommandfromthefronttrenchesatnightfall，andtomovebackonthemainforcebehindthehill-crest。Thefronttrencheswerenotimportant；andtheywerefartoolightlymannedtoresistamassattack。Whereforethedrawing-inandconsolidatingofthewholeoutflungline。
Bruce，hisworkdonenow，hadleisuretorespondtothecountlessoffersofhospitalitythatencompassedhim。Onemanbroughthimasliceofcoldbroiledbacon。Anotherspreadpork-greaseoverabitofbreadandprofferedit。Athirdunearthedfromsomesacredlyguardedhiding-placeanexcessivelystalehalf-inchsquareofsweetchocolate。
Hadthedogsochosen，hemightthenandtherehaveeatenhimselftodeathonthemultitudeofvotiveofferings。Butinafewminuteshehadhadenough，andhemerelysniffedinpoliterefusalatallfurthergifts。
"See？"lecturedMahan。"That'sthebeastofit！Whenyousayafelloweatsordrinks'likeabeast，'yououghttorememberthatabeastwon'teatordrinkamouthfulmorethanisgoodforhim。"
"Gee！"commentedthesomewhatcorpulentDale。"I'mgladI'mnotabeast——especiallyonpay-day。"
PresentlyBrucetiredoftheovationtenderedhim。Theseovationsweregettingtobeanoldstory。Theyhadbegunasfarbackashistraining-campdays——whenthestoryofhisjoiningthearmywastoldbythemantowhomThePlace'sguesthadwrittencommendingthedogtothetrainers'kindness。
Atthetraining-campthisstoryhadbeenreenforcedbythechiefcollie-teacher——adourlittleHielandScotnamedMcQuibigaskie，whoonthefirstdaydeclaredthattheAmericandoghadmoresenseandmorepromiseandmoresoul"thana't'othertykessoutho'KirkcudbrightBrae。"
Beingonlymortal，Brucefounditpleasantertobeadmiredandpettedthanignoredorkicked。Hewasimpersonallyfriendlywiththesoldiers，whenhewasoffduty；andherelishedthedaintiestheywereforeverthrustingathim。
ButattimeshissofteyeswouldgrowdarkwithhomesicknessforthequietlovelinessofThePlaceandfortheMistressandtheMasterwhowerehisloyallyworshipedgods。Lifehadbeensohappyandsosweetlyuneventfulforhim，atThePlace！Andtherehadbeennoneoftheawfulendlessthunderandthebewilderinglyhorriblesmellsandgruesomesightswhichheremethimateveryturn。
Thedog'slovingheartusedtogrowsickwithitall；andhelongedunspeakablyforhome。Buthewasagallantsoldier，andhedidhisworknotonlywell，butwithasnapandadashandanalmostuncannyintelligencewhichmadehimanidoltothemen。
Presently，now，havingeatenallhewantedandhavingbeenpattedandtalkedtountilhecravedsolitude，Brucestrolledevertoanemptydugout，curleduponatornblanketthere，puthisnosebetweenhiswhitepawsandwenttosleep。
TheGermanartillery-firehadswelledfromanoccasionalexplosiontoaceaselessroar，thatmadethegroundvibrateandheave，andthatbeatontheeardrumswithnauseatingiterance。
ButitdidnotbotherBruce。Formonthshehadbeenusedtothissortofannoyance，andhehadlearnedtosleepsnuglythroughitall。
Meanwhile，outsidehisdugout，lifewasspeedingupatadizzyingrate。TheGermanartilleryhadsprungtosuddenandwholesaleactivity。FartotherightoftheHere-We-Comeregiment'strenchesahazehadbeguntocrawlalongthegroundandtosendsnakytendrilshighinair-tendrilsthatblendedintoasinglegrayish-greenwallastheymovedforward。Thehazewall'sgray-
greenwasshotbyyellowandpurpletingesasthesun'sweakraystouchedit。TotheleftoftheHere-We-Comes，andtheninfrontofthem，appearedthesamewallofbillowinggas。
TheHere-We-Comeswerereadyforitwiththeirhastilydonnedmasks。Buttherewasnoneedoftheprecaution。Byoneofthesuddenwind——freakssocommoninthestoryofthewar，thegas-
cloudwascleftintwobyaswirlingbreeze，anditrolleddanklyon，torightandleft，leavingthecentraltrenchesclear。
Now，anartillerybarrage，accompaniedorfollowedbyagas-
demonstration，canmeanbutonething：ageneralattack。
ThereforetelephonicwordcametothedetachmentstoleftandrightoftheHere-We-Comes，tofallback，undercoverofthegas-
cloud，tosaferpositions。Twodogsweresent，withthesameorder，totheHere-We-Comes。（Oneofthedogswasgassed。Abitofshrapnelfoundtheother。）
ThusitwasthattheHere-We-Comeswereleftalone（thoughtheydidnotknowit），toholdtheposition，——withnosupportoneitherside，andwithamerehandfulofmenwherewithtostemtheimpendingrush。
Ontheheelsofthedispersinggas-cloud，andstraightacrossthehalf-mileorlessofbrokenground，camealineofgray。Infivesuccessivewaves，accordingtocustom，thebochescharged。Eachwavehurleditselfforwardasfastasefficiencywouldletit，infaceoftheopposingfire，andasfarashumanendurancewouldbegoaded。Thenitwentdown，anditssurvivorsattachedthemselvestothesucceedingwave。
Hence，bythetimethefifthandmightiestwavegotintomotion，itwasswelledbythesurvivorsofallfourofitspredecessorsandwasanall-but-resistlessmassofshoutingandrunningmen。
Theriflesandmachine-gunsoftheHere-We-Comesplayedmerrilyintotheadvancinggrayswarms，stoppingwaveafterwave，andatlastcheckingthefifthand"master"wavealmostattheverybrinkoftheFranco-Americanparapet。
"That'showtheydo！"Mahanpantinglyexplainedtoarathershakynewcomer，asthelastwavefellback。"Theycountonnumbersandbullrushestogetthemthere。Ifthey'dhadtenthousandmen，inthatrush，insteadoffivethousand，they'dhavegotus。Andiftheyhadtwiceasmanymenintheirwholearmyastheyhave，they'dwinthiswar。Butpraisebe，theyhaven'ttwiceasmany！
Thatisoneofthefifty-sevenreasonswhytheAlliesaregoingtolickGermany。"
Mahantalkedjubilantly。Thesamejubilationranallalongthelineofvictors。Butthecolonelandhisstaffwerenotrejoicing。Theyhadjustlearnedofthewithdrawaloftheforcestoeithersideofthem，andtheyknewtheythemselvescouldnothopetostandagainstasecondandlargercharge。
Suchachargetheenemywerecertaintomake。TheGermans，too，mustsoonlearnofthedefectionofthesupports。Itwasnowonlyaquestionofanhourorlessbeforeachargewithadouble-
envelopingmovementwouldsurroundandbagtheHere-We-Comes，catchingthewholeregimentinaninescapabletrap。
Tofallback，now，upthatlongbarehillside，underfullfireoftheaugmentedGermanartillery，wouldmeanadecimatingoftheentirecommand。TheHere-We-Comescouldnotretreat。Theycouldnothopetoholdtheirground。Thesolechanceforlifelayinthearrivalofstrongreenforcementsfromtherear，tohelpthemholdthetrenchesuntilnight，ortomanthesupportingpositions。Reserveswerewithineasystrikingdistance。But，ashappenedsomanytimesinthewar，therewasnoroutinewaytosummonthemintime。
Itwasthechancesightofacrumpledmessagelyingonhisdugout-tablethatremindedthecolonelofBruce'sexistenceandofhispresenceinthefronttrench。Itwasamatterofthirtysecondsforthecoloneltoscrawlanurgentappealandabriefstatementofconditions。Almostassoonasthenotewasready，anorderlyappearedatthedugoutentrance，convoyingthenewlyawakenedBruce。
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