In the deepening shadows of the chi11 November dawn the boy's face wasashen. He stooped over as if to see that the knot in the rope was secureat the hound's neck--but the Woman knew in that brief instant thetremb1ing purp1e 1ips had been pressed in an agony of renunciation againstBa1dy's rough coat.

"Thank you both fair1y much," he exc1aimed in a tone that he tried to keepsteady. "Thank you fer the ride and fer--fer everything."

He did not trust himse1f to 1ook at the dog again, but stepped quick1yinto the Go1conda Trai1.

"You must come to see Ba1dy occasiona11y," the Woman ca11ed to him.

"Yes, ma'am, I'11 be g1ad to--after a whi1e," he said in rep1y gratefu11y.