第3章

Themugwaswornanddented:abovethetwinedinitials，G。L。，wasthecrestofafootlessbirdandthemotto:"Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。"

"That"stheotherendoftheriddle，"Sophiewhispered，whenhesawherthatevening。"Readhernote。TheEnglishwritebeautifulnotes。"

Thewarmestofwelcomestoyourlittleman。Ihopehewillappreciatehisnativelandnowhehascometoit。Thoughyouhavesaidnothingwecannot，ofcourse，lookonhimasalittlestranger，andsoIamsendinghimtheoldLashmarchristeningmug。IthasbeenwithussinceGregoryLashmar，yourgreat-grandmother"sbrother——

Georgestaredathiswife。

"Goon，"shetwinkled，fromthepillows——

mother"sbrother，soldhisplacetoWalter"sfamily。Weseemtohaveacquiredsomeofyourhouseholdgodsatthattime，butnothingsurvivesexceptthemugandtheoldcradle，whichIfoundinthepotting-shedandamhavingputinorderforyou。IhopelittleGeorge——Lashmar，hewillbetoo，won"the？——willlivetoseehisgrandchildrencuttheirteethonhismug。

Affectionatelyyours，ALICECONANT。

P。S——Howquietyou"vekeptaboutitall!

"Well，I"m——"

"Don"tswear，"saidSophie。"Badfortheinfantmind。"

"Buthowintheworlddidshegetatit？HaveyoueversaidawordabouttheLashmars？"

"Youknowtheonlytime——toyoungIgguldenatRocketts——whenIgguldendied。"

"Yourgreat-grandmother"sbrother!She"stracedthewholeconnection——morethanyourAuntSydneycoulddo。Whatdoesshemeanaboutourkeepingquiet？"

Sophie"seyessparkled。"I"vethoughtthatouttoo。We"vegotbackattheEnglishatlast。Can"tyouseethatshethoughtthatwethoughtmymother"sbeingaLashmarwasoneofthosethingswe"dexpecttheEnglishtofindoutforthemselves，andthat"simpressedher？"Sheturnedthemuginherwhitehands，andsighedhappily。""Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。"That"snotabadmotto，George。It"sbeenworthit。"

"ButstillIdon"tquitesee——"

"Ishouldn"twonderiftheydon"tthinkourcomingherewaspartofadeep-laidschemetobenearourancestors。They"dunderstandthat。Andlookhowthey"veacceptedus，allofthem。"

"Arewesoundesirableinourselves？"Georgegrunted。

"Bejust，melord。ThatwretchedSangresmanhastwiceourmoney。

CanyouseeMarmConantslappinghimbetweentheshoulders？Notbyajugful!Thepoorbeastdoesn"texist!"

"Doyouthinkit"sthatthen？"Helookedtowardthecotbythefirewherethegodlingsnorted。

"TheminuteIgetwellIshallfindoutfromMrs。ClokewhateveryLashmargivesindoles(that"snicerthantips)everytimeaLashmiteisborn。I"vedonemydutythusfar，butthere"smuchexpectedofme。"

EnteredhereMrs。Cloke，andhungworshippingoverthecot。Theyshowedherthemugandherfaceshone。"Oh，nowLadyConant"ssentit，it"llbeallproper，ma"am，won"tit？"George"ofcoursehe"dhavetobe，butseein"whatheiswewashopin"——allyourpeoplewashopin"——it"udbe"Lashmar"too，andthat"udjustrounditout。Avery"andsomemugquiteunique，Ishouldimagine。

"Wayteawhyle——wayteawhyle。"That"struewiththeLashmars，I"veheard。Veryslowtofilltheirhouses，theyare。MostlikeMasterGeorgewon"topen"isnurserytillhe"sthirty。"

"Poorlamb!"criedSophie。"ButhowdidyouknowmyfolkwereLashmars？"

Mrs。Clokethoughtdeeply。"I"msureIcan"tquitesay，ma"am，butI"veabelieflikelythatitwassomethingyoumayhaveletdroptoyoungIgguldenwhenyouwasatRocketts。Thatmayhavebeenwhatgiveusaninkling。An"soitcameout，onethinginthewayo"talkleadingtoanother，andthoseAmericanpeopleatVeeringHollerwasveryobligin"withnews，I"mtold，ma"am。"

"GreatScott!"saidGeorge，underhisbreath。"Andthisisthesimplepeasant!"

"Yiss，"Mrs。Clokewenton。"An"Clokewasonlywonderin"thisafternoon——yourpillow"sslippedmydear，youmustn"tliethata-way——justforthesakeo"sayin"something，whetheryouwouldn"tthinkwellnowofgettingtheLashmarfarmsback，sir。

Theydon"trightlyroundoffSirWalter"sestate。Theycomecaterin"acrossusmore。Cloke，"e"udbegladtoshowyouoveranyday。"

"ButSirWalterdoesn"twanttosell，doeshe？"

"Wecanfindoutfromhisbailiff，sir，but"——withcoldcontempt——"Ithinkthattrainednurseisjustcomin"upfromherdinner，so"mafraidwe"ll"avetoaskyou，sir……Now，MasterGeorge——Ai-ie!Wakealittyminute，lammie!"

AfewmonthslaterthethreeofthemweredownatthebrookintheGaleAnsteywoodstoconsidertherebuildingofafootbridgecarriedawaybyspringfloods。GeorgeLashmarChapinwantedallthebluebellsonGod"searththatdaytoeat，and——Sophieadoredhiminavoiceliketothecooingofadove；sobusinesswasdelayed。

"Here"stheplace，"saidhisfatheratlastamongthewaterforget-me-nots。"Butwherethedeucearethelarch-poles，Cloke？

Itoldyoutohavethemdownhereready。"

"We"llget"emdowniffyousayso，"Clokeanswered，withathrustoftheunderliptheybothknew。

"ButIdidsayso。Whatonearthhaveyoubroughtthattimber-tugherefor？Wearen"tbuildingarailwaybridge。Why，inAmerica，half-a-dozentwo-by-fourbitswouldbeample。"

"Idon"tknownothin"aboutthat，"saidCloke。

"An"I"venothin"tosayagainstlarch——IFyouwanttomakeatemp"ryjobofit。Iain"t"eretotellyouwhatisn"tso，sir；

an"youcan"tsayIevercomecreepin"uponyou，ortryin"toleadyoufurtherinthanyousetout——"

AyearagoGeorgewouldhavedancedwithimpatience。Nowhescrapedalittlemudoffhisoldgaiterswithhisspud，andwaited。

"AllIsayisthatyoucanputuplarchandmakeatemp"ryjobofit；andbythetimetheyoungmaster"smarriedit"llhavetobedoneagain。Now，I"vebroughtdownacoupleofassweetsix-by-eightoaktimbersaswe"veeverdrawed。Youput"eminan"

it"soffyourmindorgoodan"all。T"otherway——Idon"tsayitain"tright，I"monlyjustsayin"whatIthink——butt"otherway，he"llnosoonerbemarriedthanwe"lllaveitalltodoagain。

You"venocalltoregardmywords，butyoucan"tgetoutofthat。"

"No，"saidGeorgeafterapause；"I"vebeenrealisingthatforsometime。Makeitoakthen；wecan"tgetoutofit。"

THERECALL

Iamthelandoftheirfathers，Inmethevirtuestays；

Iwillbringbackmychildren，Aftercertaindays。

UndertheirfeetinthegrassesMyclingingmagicruns。

Theyshallreturnasstrangers，Theyshallremainassons。

OvertheirheadsinthebranchesOftheirnew-bought，ancienttrees，Iweaveanincantation，Anddrawthemtomyknees。

Scentofsmokeintheevening，Smellofraininthenight，Thehours，thedaysandtheseasonsOrdertheirsoulsaright；

TillImakeplainthemeaningOfallmythousandyearsTillIfilltheirheartswithknowledge，WhileIfilltheireyeswithtears。

GARM——AHOSTAGE

0nenight，averylongtimeago，IdrovetoanIndianmilitarycantonmentcalledMianMirtoseeamateurtheatricals。AtthebackoftheInfantrybarracksasoldier，hiscapoveroneeye，rushedinfrontofthehorsesandshoutedthathewasadangeroushighwayrobber。Asamatteroffact，hewasafriendofmine，soItoldhimtogohomebeforeanyonecaughthim；buthefellunderthepole，andIheardvoicesofamilitaryguardinsearchofsomeone。

ThedriverandIcoaxedhimintothecarriage，drovehomeswiftly，undressedhimandputhimtobed，wherehewakednextmorningwithasoreheadache，verymuchashamed。Whenhisuniformwascleanedanddried，andhehadbeenshavedandwashedandmadeneat，Idrovehimbacktobarrackswithhisarminafinewhitesling，andreportedthatIhadaccidentallyrunoverhim。Ididnottellthisstorytomyfriend"ssergeant，whowasahostileandunbelievingperson，buttohislieutenant，whodidnotknowusquitesowell。

Threedayslatermyfriendcametocall，andathisheelsslobberedandfawnedoneofthefinestbull-terriers——oftheold-fashionedbreed，twopartsbullandoneterrier——thatIhadeverseteyeson。Hewaspurewhite，withafawn-colouredsaddlejustbehindhisneck，andafawndiamondattherootofhisthinwhippytail。Ihadadmiredhimdistantlyformorethanayear；

andVixen，myownfox-terrier，knewhimtoo，butdidnotapprove。

""E"sforyou，"saidmyfriend；buthedidnotlookasthoughhelikedpartingwithhim。

"Nonsense!Thatdog"sworthmorethanmostmen，Stanley，"Isaid。

""E"sthatandmore。"Tention!"

Thedogroseonhishindlegs，andstooduprightforafullminute。

"Eyesright!"

Hesatonhishaunchesandturnedhisheadsharptotheright。Atasignheroseandbarkedthrice。Thenheshookhandswithhisrightpawandboundedlightlytomyshoulder。Herehemadehimselfintoanecktie，limpandlifeless，hangingdownoneithersideofmyneck。Iwastoldtopickhimupandthrowhimintheair。Hefellwithahowl，andhelduponeleg。

"Parto"thetrick，"saidhisowner。"You"regoingtodienow。

Digyourselfyourlittlegravean"shutyourlittleeye。"

Stilllimping，thedoghobbledtothegarden-edge，dugaholeandlaydowninit。Whentoldthathewascured，hejumpedout，wagginghistail，andwhiningforapplause。Hewasputthroughhalf-a-dozenothertricks，suchasshowinghowhewouldholdamansafe(Iwasthatman，andhesatdownbeforeme，histeethbared，readytospring)，andhowhewouldstopeatingatthewordofcommand。Ihadnomorethanfinishedpraisinghimwhenmyfriendmadeagesturethatstoppedthedogasthoughhehadbeenshot，tookapieceofblue-ruledcanteen-paperfromhishelmet，handedittomeandranaway，whilethedoglookedafterhimandhowled。Iread:

SIR——Igiveyouthedogbecauseofwhatyougotmeoutof。HeisthebestIknow，forImadehimmyself，andheisasgoodasaman。Pleasedonotgivehimtoomuchtoeat，andpleasedonotgivehimbacktome，forI"mnotgoingtotakehim，ifyouwillkeephim。Sopleasedonottrytogivehimbackanymore。Ihavekepthisnameback，soyoucancallhimanythingandhewillanswer。butpleasedonotgivehimback。Hecankillamanaseasyasanything，butpleasedonotgivehimtoomuchmeat。Heknowsmorethanaman。

Vixensympatheticallyjoinedhershrilllittleyaptothebull-terrier"sdespairingcry，andIwasannoyed，forIknewthatamanwhocaresfordogsisonething，butamanwholovesonedogisquiteanother。Dogsareatthebestnomorethanverminousvagrants，self-scratchers，foulfeeders，anduncleanbythelawofMosesandMohammed；butadogwithwhomonelivesaloneforatleastsixmonthsintheyear；afreething，tiedtoyousostrictlybylovethatwithoutyouhewillnotstirorexercise；apatient，temperate，humorous，wisesoul，whoknowsyourmoodsbeforeyouknowthemyourself，isnotadogunderanyruling。

IhadVixen，whowasallmydogtome；andIfeltwhatmyfriendmusthavefelt，attearingouthisheartinthisstyleandleavingitinmygarden。However，thedogunderstoodclearlyenoughthatIwashismaster，anddidnotfollowthesoldier。AssoonashedrewbreathImademuchofhim，andVixen，yellingwithjealousy，flewathim。Hadshebeenofhisownsex，hemighthavecheeredhimselfwithafight，butheonlylookedworriedlywhenshenippedhisdeepironsides，laidhisheavyheadonmyknee，andhowledanew。ImeanttodineattheClubthatnight；

butasdarknessdrewin，andthedogsnuffedthroughtheemptyhouselikeachildtryingtorecoverfromafitofsobbing，I

feltthatIcouldnotleavehimtosufferhisfirsteveningalone。Sowefedathome，Vixenononeside，andthestranger-dogontheother；shewatchinghiseverymouthful，andsayingexplicitlywhatshethoughtofhistablemanners，whichweremuchbetterthanhers。

ItwasVixen"scustom，tilltheweathergrewhot，tosleepinmybed，herheadonthepillowlikeaChristian；andwhenmorningcameIwouldalwaysfindthatthelittlethinghadbracedherfeetagainstthewallandpushedmetotheveryedgeofthecot。

Thisnightshehurriedtobedpurposefully，everyhairup，oneeyeonthestranger，whohaddroppedonamatinahelpless，hopelesssortofway，allfourfeetspreadout，sighingheavily。

Shesettledherheadonthepillowseveraltimes，toshowherlittleairsandgraces，andstruckupherusualwhineysing-songbeforeslumber。Thestranger-dogsoftlyedgedtowardme。Iputoutmyhandandhelickedit。InstantlymywristwasbetweenVixen"steeth，andherwarningaaarh!saidasplainlyasspeech，thatifItookanyfurthernoticeofthestrangershewouldbite。

Icaughtherbehindherfatneckwithmylefthand，shookherseverely，andsaid:

"Vixen，ifyoudothatagainyou"llbeputintotheverandah。

Now，remember!"

Sheunderstoodperfectly，buttheminuteIreleasedhershemouthedmyrightwristoncemore，andwaitedwithherearsbackandallherbodyflattened，readytobite。Thebigdog"stailthumpedthefloorinahumbleandpeace-makingway。

IgrabbedVixenasecondtime，liftedheroutofbedlikearabbit(shehatedthatandyelled)，and，asIhadpromised，setheroutintheverandahwiththebatsandthemoonlight。Atthisshehowled。Thensheusedcoarselanguage——nottome，buttothebullterrier——tillshecoughedwithexhaustion。Thensheranroundthehousetryingeverydoor。Thenshewentofftothestablesandbarkedasthoughsomeonewerestealingthehorses，whichwasanoldtrickofhers。Lastshereturned，andhersnuffingyelpsaid，"I"llbegood!LetmeinandI"ll"begood!"

Shewasadmittedandflewtoherpillow。WhenshewasquietedI

whisperedtotheotherdog，"Youcanlieonthefootofthebed。"

Thebulljumpedupatonce，andthoughIfeltVixenquiverwithrage，sheknewbetterthantoprotest。Soweslepttillthemorning，andtheyhadearlybreakfastwithme，biteforbite，tillthehorsecameroundandwewentforaride。Idon"tthinkthebullhadeverfollowedahorsebefore。Hewaswildwithexcitement，andVixen，asusual，squealedandscutteredandscooted，andtookchargeoftheprocession。

Therewasonecornerofavillagenearby，whichwegenerallypassedwithcaution，becausealltheyellowpariah-dogsoftheplacegatheredaboutit。

Theywerehalf-wild，starvingbeasts，andthoughuttercowards，yetwherenineortenofthemgettogethertheywillmobandkillandeatanEnglishdog。Ikeptawhipwithalonglashforthem。

ThatmorningtheyattackedVixen，who，perhapsofdesign，hadmovedfrombeyondmyhorse"sshadow。

Thebullwasploughingalonginthedust，fiftyyardsbehind，rollinginhisrun，andsmilingasbull-terrierswill。IheardVixensqueal；halfadozenofthecursclosedinonher；awhitestreakcameupbehindme；acloudofdustrosenearVixen，and，whenitcleared，Isawonetallpariahwithhisbackbroken，andthebullwrenchinganothertoearth。Vixenretreatedtotheprotectionofmywhip，andthebullpaddledbacksmilingmorethanever，coveredwiththebloodofhisenemies。Thatdecidedmetocallhim"GarinoftheBloodyBreast，"whowasagreatpersoninhistime，or"Garm"forshort；so，leaningforward，Itoldhimwhathistemporarynamewouldbe。HelookedupwhileIrepeatedit，andthenracedaway。Ishouted"Garin!"Hestopped，racedback，andcameuptoaskmywill。

ThenIsawthatmysoldierfriendwasright，andthatthatdogknewandwasworthmorethanaman。AttheendoftherideIgaveanorderwhichVixenknewandhated:"Goawayandgetwashed!"I

said。Garinunderstoodsomepartofit，andVixeninterpretedtherest，andthetwotrottedofftogethersoberly。WhenIwenttothebackverandahVixenhadbeenwashedsnowy-white，andwasveryproudofherself，butthedog-boywouldnottouchGarmonanyaccountunlessIstoodby。SoIwaitedwhilehewasbeingscrubbed，andGarm，withthesoapcreamingonthetopofhisbroadhead，lookedatmetomakesurethatthiswaswhatI

expectedhimtoendure。Heknewperfectlythatthedog-boywasonlyobeyingorders。

"Anothertime，"Isaidtothedog-boy，"youwillwashthegreatdogwithVixenwhenIsendthemhome。"

"Doesheknow？"saidthedog-boy，whounderstoodthewaysofdogs。

"Garm，"Isaid，"anothertimeyouwillbewashedwithVixen。"

IknewthatGarmunderstood。Indeed，nextwashing-day，whenVixenasusualfledundermybed，Garmstaredatthedoubtfuldog-boyintheverandah，stalkedtotheplacewherehehadbeenwashedlasttime，andstoodrigidinthetub。

Butthelongdaysinmyofficetriedhimsorely。Wethreewoulddriveoffinthemorningathalf-pasteightandcomehomeatsixorlater。Vixenknowingtheroutineofit，wenttosleepundermytable；buttheconfinementateintoGarm"ssoul。HegenerallysatontheverandahlookingoutontheMall；andwellIknewwhatheexpected。

SometimesacompanyofsoldierswouldmovealongontheirwaytotheFort，andGarmrolledforthtoinspectthem；oranofficerinuniformenteredintotheoffice，anditwaspitifultoseepoorGarm"swelcometothecloth——nottheman。Hewouldleapathim，andsniffandbarkjoyously，thenruntothedoorandbackagain。

OneafternoonIheardhimbaywithafullthroat——athingIhadneverheardbefore——andhedisappeared。WhenIdroveintomy

Ipretendednottonotice，butGarmknewandVixenknew。Hewouldglidehomewardsfromtheofficeaboutfouro"clock，asthoughhewereonlygoingtolookatthescenery，andthishedidsoquietlythatbutforVixenIshouldnothavenoticedhim。Thejealouslittledogunderthetablewouldgiveasniffandasnort，justloudenoughtocallmyattentiontotheflight。GarmmightgooutfortytimesinthedayandVixenwouldneverstir，butwhenheslunkofftoseehistruemasterinmygardenshetoldmeinherowntongue。ThatwastheonesignshemadetoprovethatGarmdidnotaltogetherbelongtothefamily。Theywerethebestoffriendsatalltimes，but，VixenexplainedthatIwasnevertoforgetGarmdidnotlovemeasshelovedme。

Ineverexpectedit。Thedogwasnotmydogcouldneverbemydog——andIknewhewasasmiserableashismasterwhotrampedeightmilesadaytoseehim。Soitseemedtomethatthesoonerthetwowerereunitedthebetterforall。OneafternoonIsentVixenhomealoneinthedog-cart(Garmhadgonebefore)，androdeovertocantonmentstofindanotherfriendofmine，whowasanIrishsoldierandagreatfriendofthedog"smaster。

Iexplainedthewholecase，andwoundupwith:

"AndnowStanley"sinmygardencryingoverhisdog。Whydoesn"thetakehimback？They"rebothunhappy。"

"Unhappy!There"snosenseinthelittlemananymore。But"tishisfit。"

"Whatishisfit？Hetravelsfiftymilesaweektoseethebrute，andhepretendsnottonoticemewhenheseesmeontheroad；andI"masunhappyasheis。Makehimtakethedogback。"

"It"shispenancehe"ssethimself。Itoldhimbywayofajoke，aftheryou"drunoverhimsoconvenientthatnight，whinhewasdrunk——IsaidifhewasaCatholiche"ddopenance。Offhewentwidthatfitinhislittleheadan"adoseoffever，annothin"

wouldsuitbutgivin"youthedogasahostage。"

"Hostageforwhat？Idon"twanthostagesfromStanley。"

"Forhisgoodbehaviour。He"skeepin"straightnow，thewayit"snopleasuretoassociatewidhim。"

"Hashetakenthepledge？"

"If"twasonlythatIneednotcare。Yecantakethepledgeforthreemonthsonan"off。Hesezhe"llneverseethedogagain，an"somarkyou，he"llkeepstraightforevermore。Yeknowhisfits？Well，thisiswanofthem。How"sthedogtakin"it？"

"Likeaman。He"sthebestdoginIndia。Can"tyoumakeStanleytakehimback？"

"IcandonomorethanIhavedone。Butyeknowhisfits。He"sjustdoin"hispenance。WhatwillhedowhenhegoestotheHills？Thedoctor"sputhimonthelist。"

ItisthecustominIndiatosendacertainnumberofinvalidsfromeachregimentuptostationsintheHimalayasforthehotweather；andthoughthemenoughttoenjoythecoolandthecomfort，theymissthesocietyofthebarracksdownbelow，anddotheirbesttocomebackortoavoidgoing。Ifeltthatthismovewouldbringmatterstoahead，soIleftTerrencehopefully，thoughhecalledafterme"Hewon"ttakethedog，sorr。Youcanlayyourmonth"spayonthat。Yeknowhisfits。"

IneverpretendedtounderstandPrivateOrtheris；andsoIdidthenextbestthingIlefthimalone。

ThatsummertheinvalidsoftheregimenttowhichmyfriendbelongedwereorderedofftotheHillsearly，becausethedoctorsthoughtmarchinginthecoolofthedaywoulddothemgood。TheirroutelaysouthtoaplacecalledUmballa，ahundredandtwentymilesormore。ThentheywouldturneastandmarchupintothehillstoKasauliorDugshaiorSubathoo。Idinedwiththeofficersthenightbeforetheyleft——theyweremarchingatfiveinthemorning。ItwasmidnightwhenIdroveintomygarden，andsurprisedawhitefigureflyingoverthewall。

"Thatman，"saidmybutler，"hasbeenheresincenine，makingtalktothatdog。Heisquitemad。"

Ididnottellhimtogoawaybecausehehasbeenheremanytimesbefore，andbecausethedog-boytoldmethatifItoldhimtogoaway，thatgreatdogwouldimmediatelyslayme。HedidnotwishtospeaktotheProtectorofthePoor，andhedidnotaskforanythingtoeatordrink。"

"KadirBuksh，"saidI，"thatwaswelldone，forthedogwouldsurelyhavekilledthee。ButIdonotthinkthewhitesoldierwillcomeanymore。"

Garmsleptillthatnightandwhimperedinhisdreams。Oncehesprangupwithaclear，ringingbark，andIheardhimwaghistailtillitwakedhimandthebarkdiedoutinahowl。Hehaddreamedhewaswithhismasteragain，andInearlycried。ItwasallStanley"ssillyfault。

Thefirsthaltwhichthedetachmentofinvalidsmadewassomemilesfromtheirbarracks，ontheAmritsarroad，andtenmilesdistantfrommyhouse。ByamerechanceoneoftheofficersdrovebackforanothergooddinnerattheClub(cookingonthelineofmarchisalwaysbad)，andthereImethim。Hewasaparticularfriendofmine，andIknewthatheknewhowtoloveadogproperly。HispetwasabigfatretrieverwhowasgoinguptotheHillsforhishealth，and，thoughitwasstillApril，theround，brownbrutepuffedandpantedintheClubverandahasthoughhewouldburst。

"It"samazing，"saidtheofficer，"whatexcusestheseinvalidsofminemaketogetbacktobarracks。There"samaninmycompanynowaskedmeforleavetogobacktocantonmentstopayadebthe"dforgotten。IwassotakenbytheideaIlethimgo，andhejingledoffinanekkaaspleasedasPunch。Tenmilestopayadebt!Wonderwhatitwasreally？"

"Ifyou"lldrivemehomeIthinkIcanshowyou，"Isaid。

Sohewentovertomyhouseinhisdog-cartwiththeretriever；

andonthewayItoldhimthestoryofGarm。

"Iwaswonderingwherethatbrutehadgoneto。He"sthebestdogintheregiment，"saidmyfriend。"Iofferedthelittlefellowtwentyrupeesforhimamonthago。Buthe"sahostage，yousay，forStanley"sgoodconduct。Stanley"soneofthebestmenIhavewhenhechooses。"

"That"sthereasonwhy，"Isaid。"Asecond-ratemanwouldn"thavetakenthingstoheartashehasdone。"

Wedroveinquietlyatthefarendofthegarden，andcreptroundthehouse。Therewasaplaceclosetothewallallgrownaboutwithtamarisktrees，whereIknewGarmkepthisbones。EvenVixenwasnotallowedtositnearit。InthefullIndianmoonlightI

couldseeawhiteuniformbendingoverthedog。

"Good-bye，oldman，"wecouldnothelphearingStanley"svoice。

"For"Eving"ssakedon"tgetbitandgomadbyanymeaslypi-dog。

Butyoucanlookafteryourself，oldman。Youdon"tgetdrunkan"

runabout"ittin"yourfriends。Youtakesyourbonesan"youeatsyourbiscuit，an"youkillsyourenemylikeagentleman。I"mgoin"away——don"t"owl——I"mgoin"offtoKasauli，whereIwon"tseeyounomore。"

IcouldhearhimholdingGarm"snoseasthedogthrewituptothestars。

"You"llstayherean"be"ave，an"——an"I"llgoawayan"trytobe"ave，an"Idon"tknow"owtoleaveyou。Idon"tknow——"

"Ithinkthisisdamnsilly，"saidtheofficer，pattinghisfoolishfubsyoldretriever。Hecalledtotheprivate，wholeapedtohisfeet，marchedforward，andsaluted。

"Youhere？"saidtheofficer，turningawayhishead。

"Yes，sir，butI"mjustgoin"back。"

"Ishallbeleavinghereateleveninmycart。Youcomewithme。

Ican"thavesickmenrunningaboutfallovertheplace。Reportyourselfateleven，here。"

Wedidnotsaymuchwhenwewentindoors，buttheofficermutteredandpulledhisretriever"sears。

Hewasadisgraceful，overfeddoormatofadog；andwhenhewaddledofftomycookhousetobefed，Ihadabrilliantidea。

Ateleveno"clockthatofficer"sdogwasnowheretobefound，andyouneverheardsuchafussashisownermade。Hecalledandshoutedandgrewangry，andhuntedthroughmygardenforhalfanhour。

ThenIsaid:

"He"ssuretoturnupinthemorning。Sendamaninbyrail，andI"llfindthebeastandreturnhim。"

"Beast？"saidtheofficer。"IvaluethatdogconsiderablymorethanIvalueanymanIknow。It"sallveryfineforyoutotalk——yourdog"shere。"

Soshewas——undermyfeet——and，hadshebeenmissing，foodandwageswouldhavestoppedinmyhousetillherreturn。Butsomepeoplegrowfondofdogsnotworthacutofthewhip。MyfriendhadtodriveawayatlastwithStanleyinthebackseat；andthenthedog-boysaidtome:

"WhatkindofanimalisBullenSahib"sdog？Lookathim!"

Iwenttotheboy"shut，andthefatoldreprobatewaslyingonamatcarefullychainedup。Hemusthaveheardhismastercallingfortwentyminutes，buthadnotevenattemptedtojoinhim。

"Hehasnoface，"saidthedog-boyscornfully。"Heisapunniar-kooter(aspaniel)。Henevertriedtogetthatclothoffhisjawswhenhismastercalled。NowVixen-babawouldhavejumpedthroughthewindow，andthatGreatDogwouldhaveslainmewithhismuzzledmouth。Itistruethattherearemanykindsofdogs。"

NexteveningwhoshouldturnupbutStanley。TheofficerhadsenthimbackfourteenmilesbyrailwithanotebeggingmetoreturntheretrieverifIhadfoundhim，and，ifIhadnot，toofferhugerewards。Thelasttraintocampleftathalf-pastten，andStanley，stayedtilltentalkingtoGarm。Iarguedandentreated，andeventhreatenedtoshootthebull-terrier，batthelittlemanwasasfirmasarock，thoughIgavehimagooddinnerandtalkedtohimmostseverely。GarmknewaswellasIthatthiswasthelasttimehecouldhopetoseehisman，andfollowedStanleylikeashadow。Theretrieversaidnothing，butlickedhislipsafterhismealandwaddledoffwithoutsomuchassaying"Thankyou"tothedisgusteddog-boy。

Sothatlastmeetingwasover，andIfeltaswretchedasGarm，whomoanedinhissleepallnight。WhenwewenttotheofficehefoundaplaceunderthetableclosetoVixen，anddroppedflattillitwastimetogohome。Therewasnomorerunningoutintotheverandahs，noslinkingawayforstolentalkswithStanley。Astheweathergrewwarmerthedogswereforbiddentorunbesidethecart，butsatatmysideontheseat，Vixenwithherheadunderthecrookofmyleftelbow，andGarmhuggingthelefthandrail。

HereVixenwaseveringreatform。Shehadtoattendtoallthemovingtraffic，suchasbullock-cartsthatblockedtheway，andcamels，andledponies；aswellastokeepupherdignitywhenshepassedlowfriendsrunninginthedust。Sheneveryappedforyapping"ssake，buthershrill，highbarkwasknownallalongtheMall，andothermen"sterrierski-yiedinreply，andbullock-driverslookedovertheirshouldersandgaveustheroadwithagrin。

ButGarmcaredfornoneofthesethings。Hisbigeyeswereonthehorizonandhisterriblemouthwasshut。Therewasanotherdogintheofficewhobelongedtomychief。Wecalledhim"BobtheLibrarian，"becausehealwaysimaginedvainratsbehindthebookshelves，andinhuntingforthemwoulddragouthalftheoldnewspaper-files。Bobwasawell-meaningidiot，butGarmdidnotencouragehim。Hewouldslidehisheadroundthedoorpanting，"Rats!ComealongGarm!"andGarmwouldshiftoneforepawovertheother，andcurlhimselfround，leavingBobtowhineatamostuninterestedback。Theofficewasnearlyascheerfulasatombinthosedays。

Once，andonlyonce，didIseeGarmatallcontentedwithhissurroundings。HehadgoneforanunauthorisedwalkwithVixenearlyoneSundaymorning，andaveryyoungandfoolishartilleryman(hisbatteryhadjustmovedtothatpartoftheworld)triedtostealthemboth。Vixen，ofcourse，knewbetterthantotakefoodfromsoldiers，and，besides，shehadjustfinishedherbreakfast。Soshetrottedbackwithalargepieceofthemuttonthattheyissuetoourtroops，laiditdownonmyverandah，andlookeduptoseewhatIthought。IaskedherwhereGarinwas，andsheraninfrontofthehorsetoshowmetheway。

Aboutamileuptheroadwecameacrossourartillerymansittingverystifflyontheedgeofaculvertwithagreasyhandkerchiefonhisknees。Garinwasinfrontofhim，lookingratherpleased。

Whenthemanmovedlegorhand，Garinbaredhisteethinsilence。

Abrokenstringhungfromhiscollar，andtheotherhalfof，itlay，allwarm，intheartilleryman"sstillhand。Heexplainedtome，keepinghiseyesstraightinfrontofhim，thathehadmetthisdog(hecalledhimawfulnames)walkingalone，andwasgoingtotakehimtotheForttobekilledforamasterlesspariah。

IsaidthatGarindidnotseemtomemuchofapariah，butthathehadbettertakehimtotheFortifhethoughtbest。Hesaidhedidnotcaretodoso。ItoldhimtogototheFortalone。Hesaidhedidnotwanttogoatthathour，butwouldfollowmyadviceassoonasIhadcalledoffthedog。IinstructedGarintotakehimtotheFort，andGarmmarchedhimsolemnlyuptothegate，onemileandahalfunderahotsun，andItoldthequarter-guardwhathadhappened；buttheyoungartillerymanwasmoreangrythanwasatallnecessarywhentheybegantolaugh。

Severalregiments，hewastold，hadtriedtostealGarmintheirtime。

Thatmonththehotweathershutdowninearnest，andthedogssleptinthebathroomonthecoolwetbrickswherethebathisplaced。Everymorning，assoonasthemanfilledmybaththetwojumpedin，andeverymorningthemanfilledthebathasecondtime。Isaidtohimthathemightaswellfillasmalltubspeciallyforthedogs。"Nay，"saidhesmiling，"itisnottheircustom。Theywouldnotunderstand。Besides，thebigbathgivesthemmorespace。"

Thepunkah-coolieswhopullthepunkahsdayandnightcametoknowGarinintimately。HenoticedthatwhentheswayingfanstoppedIwouldcallouttothecoolieandbidhimpullwithalongstroke。IfthemanstillsleptIwouldwakehimup。Hediscovered，too，thatitwasagoodthingtolieinthewaveofairunderthepunkah。MaybeStanleyhadtaughthimallaboutthisinbarracks。Atanyrate，whenthepunkahstopped，Garinwouldfirstgrowlandcockhiseyeattherope，andifthatdidnotwakethemanitnearlyalwaysdid——hewouldtiptoeforthandtalkinthesleeper"sear。Vixenwasacleverlittledog，butshecouldneverconnectthepunkahandthecoolie；soGaringavemegratefulhoursofcoolsleep。But——hewasutterlywretched——asmiserableasahumanbeing；andinhismiseryheclungsocloselytomethatothermennoticedit，andwereenvious。IfImovedfromoneroomtoanotherGarinfollowed；ifmypenstoppedscratching，Garm"sheadwasthrustintomyhand；ifIturned，halfawake，onthepillow，Garmwasupandatmyside，forheknewthatIwashisonlylinkwithhismaster，anddayandnight，andnightandday，hiseyesaskedonequestion——"Whenisthisgoingtoend？"

LivingwiththedogasIdid，Inevernoticedthathewasmorethanordinarilyupsetbythehotweather，tillonedayattheClubamansaid:"Thatdogofyourswilldieinaweekortwo。

He"sashadow。"ThenIdosedGarinwithironandquinine，whichhehated；andIfeltveryanxious。Helosthisappetite，andVixenwasallowedtoeathisdinnerunderhiseyes。Eventhatdidnotmakehimswallow，andweheldaconsultationonhim，ofthebestman-doctorintheplace；alady-doctor，whocuredthesickwivesofkings；andtheDeputyInspector-GeneraloftheveterinaryserviceofallIndia。Theypronounceduponhissymptoms，andItoldthemhisstory，andGarmlayonasofalickingmyhand。

"He"sdyingofabrokenheart，"saidthelady-doctorsuddenly。

""Ponmyword，"saidtheDeputyInspectorGeneral，"IbelieveMrs。Macraeisperfectlyrightasusual。"

Thebestman-doctorintheplacewroteaprescription，andtheveterinaryDeputyInspector-Generalwentoveritafterwardstobesurethatthedrugswereintheproperdog-proportions；andthatwasthefirsttimeinhislifethatourdoctoreverallowedhisprescriptionstobeedited。Itwasastrongtonic，anditputthedearboyonhisfeetforaweekortwo；thenhelostfleshagain。

IaskedamanIknewtotakehimuptotheHillswithhimwhenhewent，andthemancametothedoorwithhiskitpackedonthetopofthecarriage。Garintookinthesituationatoneredglance。

Thehairrosealonghisback；hesatdowninfrontofmeanddeliveredthemostawfulgrowlIhaveeverheardinthejawsofadog。Ishoutedtomyfriendtogetawayatonce，andassoonasthecarriagewasoutofthegardenGarinlaidhisheadonmykneeandwhined。SoIknewhisanswer，anddevotedmyselftogettingStanley"saddressintheHills。

MyturntogotothecoolcamelateinAugust。Wewereallowedthirtydays"holidayinayear，ifnoonefellsick，andwetookitaswecouldbespared。MychiefandBobtheLibrarianhadtheirholidayfirst，andwhentheyweregoneImadeacalendar，asIalwaysdid，andhungitupattheheadofmycot，tearingoffonedayatatimetilltheyreturned。VixenhadgoneuptotheHillswithmefivetimesbefore；andsheappreciatedthecoldandthedampandthebeautifulwoodfiresthereasmuchasIdid。

"Garm，"Isaid，"wearegoingbacktoStanleyatKasauli。

Kasauli——Stanley；StanleyKasauli。"AndIrepeatedittwentytimes。ItwasnotKasaulireally，butanotherplace。StillI

rememberedwhatStanleyhadsaidinmygardenonthelastnight，andIdarednotchangethename。ThenGarmbegantotremble；thenhebarked；andthenheleapedupatme，friskingandwagginghistail。

"Notnow，"Isaid，holdingupmyhand。"WhenIsay"Go，"we"llgo，Garm。"IpulledoutthelittleblanketcoatandspikedcollarthatVixenalwaysworeupintheHillstoprotectheragainstsuddenchillsandthievingleopards，andIletthetwosmellthemandtalkitover。WhattheysaidofcourseIdonotknow；butitmadeanewdogofGarm。Hiseyeswerebright；andhebarkedjoyfullywhenIspoketohim。Heatehisfood，andhekilledhisratsforthenextthreeweeks，andwhenhebegantowhineIhadonlytosay"Stanley——Kasauli；Kasauli——Stanley，"towakehimup。