had lain beside him, keeping him warm all night. It was a great shaggy
dog, brown and white. Around his neck was a heavy collar of leather
studded with nails. Gigi did not like dogs. The only ones he knew had
always chased the Tumblers and barked at them as they entered or left a
village. Sometimes they had snapped at Gigi's heels so viciously that
he had cried out. And then Cecco would cuff him for making a fuss.

But this dog seemed friendly. He looked up in Gigi's face, and wagged
his tail pleasantly. He whined and put his nose in Gigi's hand; then
he got to his feet and ran away a few steps, looking back at the boy
and waiting. Gigi did not know what it meant. But when the dog saw
that the boy was not following, he went back and repeated his action.
Several times he did this, and still Gigi lay looking at him, too tired
and too weak to make an effort, even to think. At last the dog came
back once more. This time he took Gigi's hand between his teeth, very
gently, and began to pull him in the direction toward which he had
first gone. Then Gigi knew. The dog was trying to lead him somewhere!

A throb of hope warmed his heart. Perhaps this was a friend who would
bring him out of the dreadful forest to some place where he could eat.
For oh, he was so hungry! He dragged himself to his feet, and tried to
follow, leaning a hand on the dog's neck. The creature was wild with
joy, and began to bark and wag his tail furiously. Even this motion
made the boy totter, he was so weak. He took a few steps, then he had
to stop. He was sore all over, dizzy and faint. He lay down on the
ground with his head between his hands. And once more the good dog
crept near and poked his wet nose into Gigi's face, licking his cheek.

The boy reached out a hand and patted him timidly. It was the first
time Gigi had ever felt friendly toward an animal!