pull him in the direction toward which he had
first gone. Then Gigi knew. The dog was trying to lead him somewhere!

A throb of hope warmed his heart. Perhaps this was a friend who would
bring him out of the dreadful forest to some place where he could eat.
For oh, he was so hungry! He dragged himself to his feet, and tried to
follow, leaning a hand on the dog's neck. The creature was wild with
joy, and began to bark and wag his tail furiously. Even this motion
made the boy totter, he was so weak. He took a few steps, then he had
to stop. He was sore all over, dizzy and faint. He lay down on the
ground with his head between his hands. And once more the good dog
crept near and poked his wet nose into Gigi's face, licking his cheek.

The boy reached out a hand and patted him timidly. It was the first
time Gigi had ever felt friendly toward an animal!

When the dog found that it was of no use to try to lead Gigi on, he sat
still and seemed to think for a few moments. Then he came close and
crouched in the moss beside Gigi, whining softly and rubbing his nose
against the boy's knee. Evidently he wanted his new friend to do
something. The boy looked at him wearily, and wondered. He took hold
of the collar about the dog's neck. Yes! that was it! The dog barked
and wagged his tail, but did not move. He was still waiting. Gigi
looked at the big fellow lying there. He was almost as large as the
little donkey who bore the luggage of the Tumblers upon their journeys.
He was big enough to carry Gigi himself. Was that what the creature
meant?

Gigi lifted one leg over the dog's back, keeping hold of the collar as
tightly as he could. The animal rose to his feet with a glad bark.
Yes, this was what he wanted. He began to move forward slowly, for
Gigi was a heavy burden and his feet nearly touched the ground.

Slowly they moved through the forest, a quaint pair of wanderers.
Sometimes Gigi felt faint and ill, and lay forward, resting his head on
the dog's soft neck. Sometimes they stopped to rest. Then Gigi lay
flat on the moss, with the dog stretched out close to his side. But
they were both unwilling to waste many minutes so.

[Illustration: A quaint pair of wanderers.]

IX

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

Presently Gigi and the dog came to a clearing in the forest. All about
was as wild as anything they had passed. But here, quite alone, stood
a little hut made of logs and branches twisted together.