white frightened face stared out. Huldah caught sight of it, and
coming out of the shelter of the barn, raced eagerly along the path
to the house.

"It's all right," she cried, panting. "It's all right, ma'am, some
fellows come stealing your fowls, but Dick's after them."

Dick was after them, but he could not capture them; he was but a
young dog, and the enemy was two to one. A heavy kick sent him
rolling over, just as the thieves reached the wall, and before he
could pick himself up again they were over it, and making good their
escape.

At the sound of Dick's cry Huldah went flying back to the spot whence
the sound came. "Oh, Dick, Dick, what have they done!" she cried,
terrified.

Dick, though, was not one to make a fuss about anything. Kicks he
was well accustomed to. Men, according to his experience, were given
to kicking. Limping heavily, but mightily pleased with his fray, he
came running up to her. Huldah knelt down in the path beside him,
and hugged him to her. "Oh, Dick!" she cried, anxiously, passing her
little hand over him to feel for any hurt. "Poor Dick, you are
always getting knocked about by somebody!"

But Dick was far less concerned than she was. All that really
troubled him was that his enemies had escaped him, and had got off so
lightly.

"Huldah! Huldah!" called a frightened voice from the doorway.