acrobatic stunts to keep it from turning turtle.

"Stand perfec'ly still," one of them exhorted the damsel, as he
saw with horror that she had been left ashore in the tumbling
flight. "Stand still and don't holler! Keep your hands high. It's
likely he won't bother you. These highbred collies are pretty
gentle with women; but some of 'em are blue murder to strange
men. He--"

The man swayed for balance. His fellow-hero had brought the canoe
about, in an effort to smite with uplifted paddle at the oncoming
dog without venturing too close to the danger-line.

In the same moment, Lad had gained the brink of the lake.
Ignoring the panic-struck woman on the bank, he flashed past her
and galloped, body-deep, into the water; toward the swaying
canoe.

Here he paused. For Lad was anything but a fool. And, like other
wise collies, he had sense enough to realize that a swimming dog
is one of the most helpless creatures in the universe; when it
comes to self-defense.

Ashore, or in water shallow enough to maneuver his powerful body,
Lad could give excellent account of himself against any normal
foe. But, beyond his depth, he would fall easy victim to the
first well-aimed paddle-stroke. And he knew it. Thus, hesitant,
his snarling teeth not two yards from the canoe, he stood
growling in futile indignation at the cranky craft's crankier
occupants.