up again they were over it, and making good their
escape.

At the sound of Dick's cry Huldah went flying back to the spot whence
the sound came. "Oh, Dick, Dick, what have they done!" she cried,
terrified.

Dick, though, was not one to make a fuss about anything. Kicks he
was well accustomed to. Men, according to his experience, were given
to kicking. Limping heavily, but mightily pleased with his fray, he
came running up to her. Huldah knelt down in the path beside him,
and hugged him to her. "Oh, Dick!" she cried, anxiously, passing her
little hand over him to feel for any hurt. "Poor Dick, you are
always getting knocked about by somebody!"

But Dick was far less concerned than she was. All that really
troubled him was that his enemies had escaped him, and had got off so
lightly.

"Huldah! Huldah!" called a frightened voice from the doorway.
"Whatever is happening? Oh, do come in, child, and bring Dick.
I am terrified to be left alone! Come in, both of you, and shut the
door;" and at the sound of her voice Dick gave up his frantic search
for his enemies, and limped quickly back. When the lady who gave him
the ham-bone called, she must never be kept waiting!

CHAPTER III.

WHAT THE MORNING BROUGHT.

It was a very shaken, tremulous trio which stood and faced each other
in the tiny kitchen, after they had locked and bolted the door.
Dick trembled with excitement and eagerness only, but Mrs. Perry was
really frightened.

"But what of my poor hens!" she gasped, as Huldah poured out the
adventures of the night. "Will the thieves come back again?
What can I do? There's twelve of them; I can't bring them all
indoors, and yet--oh, poor dears, and they so tame, and knowing me so
well. I'd sooner see them all dead than in the hands of such men;
and they'll be so frightened."

"They're all safe enough, ma'am," said Huldah, consolingly.
"The thieves didn't as much as open the door before Dick was on them,
and they won't be coming back here again in a hurry; they'll never
feel sure but what Dick's under the wall waiting for them."

Mrs. Perry bent down, and patted Dick's head gratefully. It was the
first time she had actually touched him. "Good dog," she said,
warmly. "Oh, you good doggie, to protect a strange old woman and her
belongings!" and Dick was overcome with pride and gratitude for her
condescension.

"Oh, I am glad it has all ended so well," she exclaimed, with a deep
sigh of thankf