ckton. Thash nothin'! Six hunner dollarsh cover all dammish."

I was too much disheartened to reply, but moved toward the wagon. The
stranger eyed me with an astonishment that almost sobered him.

"Do you reckon to tackle that animile yourself?" he asked, as he
surveyed me from head to foot.

I did not speak, but, with an appearance of boldness I was far from
feeling, walked to the wagon, and called "Baby!"

"All ri'. Cash loose them straps, Bill, and stan' clear."

The straps were cut loose; and Baby, the remorseless, the terrible,
quietly tumbled to the ground, and, rolling to my side, rubbed his
foolish head against me.

I think the astonishment of the two men was beyond any vocal expression.
Without a word, the drunken stranger got into the wagon, and drove away.

And Baby? He had grown, it is true, a trifle larger; but he was thin,
and bore the marks of evident ill usage. His beautiful coat was
matted and unkempt; and his claws, those bright steel hooks, had been
ruthlessly pared to the quick. His eyes were furtive and restless;
and the old expression of stupid good humor had changed to one of
intelligent distrust. His intercourse with mankind had evidently
quickened his intellect, without broadening his moral nature.

I had great difficulty in keeping Mrs. Brown from smothering him in
blankets, and ruining his digestion with the delicacies of her larder;
but I at last got him completely rolled up in the corner of my room, and
asleep. I lay awake some time later with plans for his future. I finally
determined to take him to Oakland--where I had built a little cottage,
and always spent my Sundays--the very next day. And in the midst of a
rosy picture of domestic felicity, I fell asleep.

When I awoke, it was broad day. My eyes at once sought the corner where
Baby had been lying; but he was gone. I sprang from the bed, looked
under it, searched the closet, but in vain. The door was still locked;
but there were the marks of his blunted claws upon the sill of the
window that I had forgotten to close. He had evidently escaped that way.
But where? The window opened upon a balcony, to which the only other
entrance was through the hall. He must be still in the house.

My hand was already upon the bell-rope; but I stayed it in time. If he
had not made himself known, why should I disturb the house? I dressed
myself hurriedly, and slipped into the hall. The first object that met
my eyes was a boot lying upon the sta