r use it again,
but I don't like to see a good blade such as his all covered with spots.
Yes, boy," added the man, thoughtfully, "I'm glad you stopped old Lupe.
Haw-haw-haw! I should rather liked to have seen him, though, nibbling
their heels and making them run."

"Nibbling!" laughed Marcus. "Nibbling, Serge!" And the boy stooped
down, raised the great dog's muzzle, and pulled up one of his lips to
show the great, white fangs. "Not much of nibblers, these."

"Well, no, my lad," said the old soldier; "they don't look nibbley.
Nibblers wouldn't do for him, would they, Lupe, old man? He wants good
tools to tackle the wolves in winter. There, it's all over, and I don't
feel so savage now. Here, you had better go and have a good wash while
I see to the vine poles and put in a new un or two from the stack. I
expect I shall have to prune a bit too, and tie, where those young
ruffians have been at work. Let's get a bit tidy before the master
comes back, though I don't suppose he'd take any notice if there wasn't
a grape bunch left. But he'd see the dirt and scratches on your face
first thing."

"Yes, of course," cried the boy, hastily, as he held up his knuckles,
two of which were minus skin, and showing traces of dried blood. "But I
say, Serge, look at my face. Is it much knocked about?"

"Well, pretty tidy, my lad. You look as if you had been in the wars.
Nose is a little bit knocked on one side."

"Oh, Serge!" cried the boy, showing real excitement now.

"Left eye looks a bit sleepy, too."

"Serge!"

"Well, you asked me, my lad--and your bottom lip has been cut against
your tooth."

"Oh, what will he say?" cried the boy, wildly.

"I dunno," growled the old soldier, grimly. "Yes, I do," and his eyes
twinkled with satisfaction and pride in the prowess his young master had
displayed.

"What will he say?" cried the boy, anxiously, and as if he placed full
confidence in the old servant's words.

"Say you oughtn't to have been fighting, but been busy scratting about
with your stylus and making marks on that wax."

"But I was busy, only it was so hot and one couldn't keep awake; and
when I heard those fellows breaking down the vines--"

"Why, you went out and walloped them, of course," cried the man. "Quite
nat'ral. What boy wouldn't who had got any stuff in him at all? There,
don't you fret yourself about it, lad. The master will grumble at you a
bit, of course, same as he does at me; but he's