submergence cut short her cries. A second later, the lamentations
recommenced; in higher if more liquid volume. For, the shore, at
the point sloped very gradually out to deeper water. And
immediately, she and the two men had regained their foothold.

There, chest deep the trio stood or staggered. And, there,
between them and the beach, raged Lad. None of the three cared to
risk wading shoreward, with such an obstacle between themselves
and land. The girl on the bank added her quota of squalls to
those of her semi-engulfed friend; and one of the men began to
reach far under water for a rock to throw at the guard dog.

The first shrill cry had reached the Master, as he sat at work in
his study. Down the slope he came running; and stopped in
slack-jawed amaze at the tableau in front of him.

On the bank hopped and wriggled a woman in vivid garments,--a
woman who waved a broken parasol and seemed to be practicing an
Indian war-howl. Elbow deep in the placid waters of the lake
floundered another woman almost as wonderfully attired as the
first, and quite as vocal. On either side of her was a drenched
and gesticulating man. In the background bobbed an upset canoe.
Between the two disrupted factions of the happy picnic party
stood Lad.

The collie had ceased to growl; and, with head on one side, was
looking in eager inquiry at the Master. Lad had carried this
watchdog exploit to a point where the next move was hard to
figure out. He was glad the Master had arrived, to take charge of
the situation. It seemed to call for human, rather than canine,