tled coat and mighty jaws, and within his
open mouth, from which lolled his red tongue, were cruel white teeth
that could do unthinkable things. His wide brown eyes, his pointing
tail, his upright ears moving with every sound, his alert poise all
bespoke keenness and intelligence. A dog one would far rather have for
an ally than an enemy, thought the boy.

Beside pranced two Airedales and a white Sealyham and to their babel
of barking was added the shrill, sympathetic note of five or six
Pekingese, one of which Mrs. Crowninshield carried under her arm.

"Hush, Achilles!" she cried. "Hush, all of you! Stop your racket this
instant! They are excited at being together again," explained she to
Walter who had approached. "The Belgian and Airedales have been
boarded out during the winter and have not seen the others for months.
So, you see, this is a sort of reunion for them and they have to bark
to show their delight. Moreover, they have had a long trip and are
tired and hungry. I am going to feed them now and this meal will last
most of them until to-morrow at the same hour."

"Are they fed only once a day?" gasped Walter.

"That is all. You see you will not have many meals to prepare,"
laughed Mrs. Crowninshield. "Only the Peeks have breakfast, but only
part of a square of puppy biscuit or some bread; so it is very simple.
Dinner, however, is much more complicated and later I shall give you
your directions as to just what every dog must have; to-night we are
to treat the lot to some raw meat, toast, and spinach."

"You'll let me help you," pleaded Walter.

"Certainly. That is why I came out. I want you to feed the dogs and
learn their names. In order to get on with them you must get
acquainted with them and understand the peculiarities of each one.
They are just persons, you know, and have their little whims and
queernesses. But kindness will win them to you very quickly. It is far
better than a whip. So is feeding. A dog usually obeys the person who
feeds him. He is afraid not to."

As she spoke she entered the wired enclosure and putting the smaller
dogs in half of it and shutting the wicket gate upon them she told the
men to slip the leashes from the collars of the others. In a second
the Belgian, Airedales, and the fluffy Sealyham were bounding about
her. Then she beckoned to Walter.

"This is Achilles," went on she, with her hand on the head of the
great monster. "He is as gentle and kind as a kitten, althoug