d. 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.

The girl who remained on shore plucked up enough panic-courage to catch
her gaudy pink parasol by the ferule and to swing its heavy handle with
all her fear-driven strength at Lad's skull. Luckily, the aim was as
bad as it was vehement. The handle grazed the dog's shoulder, then
struck the lake with a force that snapped the flimsy parasol in two.
Whereat the girl shrieked aloud; and scuttled back as Lad spun around
to face her.

But she might as well have spared herself the scream. She was in no
danger. True, the collie had whirled to seek and resent this new source
of attack. But, seeing only a yelling and retreating woman behind him,
he contented himself with a menacing growl, and turned again toward the
canoe.

One of the men, poising himself, had swung aloft his paddle. Now, with
full strength, he brought down the edged blade at the dog's head.

But it is one thing to aim a blow, from a tilting canoe; and quite
another to make that blow land in the spot aimed for.

The whizzing paddle-blade missed Lad, clean. Not only because the dog
veered sharply aside as it descended, but because the canoe, under the
jarring heave of the striker's body, proceeded to turn turtle.

Into the water plopped the two men. Into the water, with them, splashed
their rescued companion. This gentle soul had not ceased screaming,
from the time she was hauled aboard. But now, 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