some day we was worth while, won't we, Baldy?" he would
whisper confidently; and Baldy's reply was sure to be a satisfactory wag
of his bobbed tail, signifying that he certainly intended to do his
best.

[Illustration]

III

The First Step

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER III

THE FIRST STEP

With the boy's more frequent visits Baldy's horizon began to widen
almost imperceptibly. He even looked forward to those moments when, with
George Allan and his friend Danny Kelly, Ben stood beside him discussing
his points and possibilities.

Up to the present his world had included but two friends--the boy and
Moose Jones. Annoyed and sometimes abused at the Camp, he had felt that
there was no real understanding between himself and most of those with
whom he came into association, and it had made him gloomy and
suspicious. Now he knew, with the intuition so often found in children
and animals, that George and Danny, as well as Ben, comprehended, at
least in part, the emotions he could not adequately express--gratitude
for kindness and a desire to please; and in return he endeavored to show
his appreciation of this understanding by shy overtures of friendliness.
He even licked George's hand one day--a caress heretofore reserved
exclusively for Ben Edwards--and he escorted Danny Kelly the full length
of the town to his home in the East End, much as he dreaded the confines
of the narrow city streets where he was brought into close contact with
strange people and strange dogs.

At Golconda, in his absorbing affection for the boy, he had more or less
ignored the others of his kind--they meant nothing to him. But now the
advantages of plenty of food and excellent care were almost offset by
his occasional contact with the quarrelsome dogs of the street, and his
constant companionship with the distinguished company into which he had
come reluctantly and in which he seemed so unwelcome.

In "Scotty" Baldy discerned a compelling personality to whom he rendered
willing allegiance and respect, as well as a dawning affection. And it
was with much gratification that he had heard occasionally after
inspection comments in a tone that contained no trace of regret at his
presence, even if it had as yet inspired no particular enthusiasm. To be
sure Allan found some merit in the least promising dogs as a rule, and
perhaps the faint praise he was beginning to bestow on Baldy had in it
more or less of the imperso