"I'd be willing to bet a year's pay it 'all started' about six
feet from shore in this lake," responded the Master, "and about a
fortnight ago."

But he spoke it in the depths of his own guiltily exultant heart.
Outwardly, he merely grinned; and said with vacuous conviction:

"Laddie, you're a grand dog. And,--if you didn't win that cup
from Lochaber King in one way, you certainly won it in another!"



CHAPTER IV. Hero-Stuff

Life was monstrous pleasant, for Lad, at the Place. And never,
except in early puppyhood, was he lonely. Never until the Master
was so foolish as to decide in his own shallow human mind that
the big collie would be happier with another collie for comrade
and mate.

After that, loneliness more than once crept into Laddie's serene
life; and into the dark sorrowful eyes behind which lurked a
soul. For, until one has known and relied on the companionship of
one's kind, there can be no loneliness.

The Master made another blunder--this one on his own account and
on the Mistress's,--when he bought a second collie, to share
Lad's realm of forest and lawn and lake. For, it is always a
mistake to own two dogs at a time. A single dog is one's chum and
guard and worshiper. If he be rightly treated and talked to and