ro, my dear old comrade, come bid thy master farewell."
Fumbling under his pillow as he spoke, he took out a small leather case,
and, opening it, held up a medal. It was the medal that had been given
him for bravery on the field of battle.

[Illustration: "HE FASTENED THE MEDAL TO HERO'S COLLAR"]

"It is my one treasure!" murmured the old soldier, turning it fondly, as
it lay in his palm. "I have no family to whom I can leave it as an
heirloom, but thou hast twice earned the right to wear it. I have no
fear but that thou wilt always be true to the Red Cross and thy name of
Hero, so thou shalt wear thy country's medal to thy grave."

He fastened the medal to Hero's collar, then, with the dog's great head
pressed fondly against him, he began talking to him in the speech Lloyd
could not understand, but the sight of the gray-haired old soldier
taking his last leave of his faithful friend brought the tears to her
eyes.

Then he called her to him and said that because she was like his little
Christine, he knew that she would be good to Hero, and he asked her to
take him back to America with her. She promised that she would. Then he
put Hero's paw in her hand, and said, "Hero, I give thee to thy little
mistress. Protect and guard her always, as she will love and care for
thee."

* * * * *

CHAPTER IV

HOMEWARD BOUND

On that long journey back to Kentucky it was well for Hero that he wore
the Red Cross on his collar. The little symbol was the open sesame to
many a privilege that ordinary dogs are not allowed on shipboard.
Instead of being confined to the hold, he was given the liberty of the
ship, and when his story was known he received as much flattering
attention as if he had been some titled nobleman.

The captain shook the big white paw, gravely put into his hand at the
Little Colonel's bidding, and then stooped to stroke the dog's head. As
he looked into the wistful, intelligent eyes his own grew tender.

"I have a son in the service," he said, "sent back from South Africa,
covered with scars. I know what that Red Cross meant to him for a good
many long weeks. Go where you like, old fellow! The ship is yours, so
long as you make no trouble."

"Oh, thank you!" cried the Little Colonel, looking up at the big British
captain with a beaming face. "I'd rathah be tied up myself than to have
Hero kept down there in the hold. I'm suah he'll not bothah anybody."

Nor did he. No