. Here, let me take your arm."

His manner was brusque, almost rude.

"Oh, I guess I can get along," replied Mandy, catching off her hat and
gathering up her skirt over her shoulders, "but we'll have to hustle,
for I'd hate to have you get, wet." Her imperturbable good humour and
her solicitude for him rebuked Cameron for his abruptness.

"I hope you will not get wet," he said.

"Oh, don't you worry about me. I ain't salt nor sugar, but I forgot
all about your bein' sick." And with laboured breath poor Mandy hurried
through the growing darkness with Cameron keeping close by her side.
"We won't be long now," she panted, as they turned from the side line
towards their own gate.

As if in reply to her words there sounded from behind the fence and
close to their side a long loud howl. Cameron gave a start.

"Great Caesar! What dog is that?" he exclaimed.

"Oh," said Mandy coolly, "guess it's MacKenzie's Carlo."

Immediately there rose from the fence on the other side an answering
howl, followed by a full chorus of howls and yelps mingled with a
bawling of calves and the ringing of cow bells, as if a dozen curs or
more were in full cry after a herd of cattle. Cameron stood still in
bewildered amazement.

"What the deuce are they at?" he cried, peering through the darkness.

"Huh!" grunted Mandy. "Them's curs all right, but they ain't much dog.
You wait till I see them fellows. They'll pay for this, you bet!"

"Do you mean to say these are not dogs?" cried Cameron, speaking in her
ear, so great was the din.

"Dogs?" answered Mandy with indignant scorn. "Naw! Just or'nary curs!
Come along," she cried, catching his arm, "let's hurry."

"Here!" he cried, suddenly wrenching himself free, "I am going to see
into this."

"No, no!" cried Mandy, gripping his arm once more with her strong hands.
"They will hurt you. Come on! We're just home. You can see them again.
No, I won't let you go."

In vain he struggled. Her strong hands held him fast. Suddenly there was
a succession of short, sharp barks. Immediately dead silence fell. Not a
sound could be heard, not a shape seen.

"Come out into the open, you cowardly curs!" shouted Cameron. "Come on!
One, two, three at a time, if you dare!"

But silence answered him.

"Come," said Mandy in a low voice, "let's hurry. It's goin' to rain.
Come on! Come along!"

Cameron stood irresolute. Then arose out of the black darkness a long
quavering cat call. With a sudden dash C