and fell forward into a bed of soft green moss.




VIII

THE RESCUE

Gigi must have lain all night where he fell. For when he opened his
eyes the sun was shining dimly through the dense leaves of the tree
overhead. He remembered only the last thing he had heard before his
eyes closed,--that long howl in the darkness. So it was with a thrill
of terror that he felt a strange touch on his face. Something warm and
wet was passing over his cheek. Something soft and warm was cuddling
close to his side. He thrust out his hand feebly, groping at something
to help him rise. His fingers closed in thick, soft hair. Suddenly
Gigi knew what was happening to his face. Some big animal was licking
it with a coarse but gentle tongue!

Was it the wolf that had howled? A dreadful thought! Gigi screamed
aloud. He struck at the creature with all the strength he had, which
was little enough.

"Get away! Go along with you!" he cried in Gypsy gibberish.

In answer, the animal uttered a whine, very gentle, very piteous; and
it began to lick the hand which had struck it.

Gigi's eyes had now grown used to the half-light. Suddenly he saw what