quickly, her heart seeming to stand still with terror. It was Dick's
voice, and Dick was in the middle of the road rolling about and
crying out sharply, in evident pain.

"Dick! Dick! Come here, what has happened? Oh, Dick!" she called
frantically, as she flew to his side; but before she could reach him
a big stone came whizzing from the hedge, and another sharp cry of
pain showed that poor Dick had been struck again.

"Oh, Dick, Dick dear! what have they done to you?" she cried,
dropping on her knees in the dust beside him. The dog tried to
struggle to his feet, but could not; every movement caused him to
yelp with pain. He looked up at her imploringly, and licked her
hand, as she put her arm under him to raise him, and the pain and
helplessness in his loving eyes made her tears overflow. What was
she to do? He was too big and heavy for her to carry all the way
home. She looked about her helplessly, but there was no one in
sight, or likely to be at that time of the day; only those two
cowards hiding behind the hedge; for it had not taken Huldah long to
guess who Dick's assailants were.

From time to time Dick gave a little whimper, and Huldah lifted his
head upon her lap; but she was almost afraid to touch him, lest she
should cause him more pain. How long, she wondered miserably, would
it be before help came? Would those cowards throw more stones?
It was horrible to stay there alone with that cowardly heartless pair
hidden behind the hedge, and the feeling that at any moment more
stones might be hurled at Dick. To protect him she placed herself
between him and the hedge.