Part 1 (2/2)
”If he lives t' the age o' three,” said Ji of the head, ”'twill be ood conduct”
”Ah, dad,” said Jimmie Grimm, ”you jus' leave un t' ht teach you s than you know I don't mind if I _do_ leave un t' you--for a while”
”Hut!” Jimmie boasted ”_I'll_ master un”
”May _be_,” said Ji in the traces This was in the early days of Tog's first winter--and of Jister then; better nourished than the other dogs of Ji than a marvellous versatility in thievery In a bored sort of way, being at thesubave inopportune attention to a persistent flea near the small of his back When, however, the butt of Jimmie's whip fell smartly on his flank, he was surprised into an appreciation of the fact that a serious atte made to curtail his freedom; and he was at once alive with resentful protest
[Illustration: _Courtesy of ”The Outing Magazine”_ TOG THAWED INTO LIMP AND SERVILE AMIABILITY]
”Hi, Tog!” Ji slipped frorasp and bounded off He turned with a snarl
”Here, Tog!” cried Ji warily over the snow His head was low, his king-hairs bristling, his upper lip lifted
”Ha, Tog, b'y!” said Ji thawed into li, hite hair of his neck fell flat; he wagged his bushy white tail; he pawed the snow and playfully tossed his long, pointed nose as he crept near But had Ji, he would have perceived that the light in the lanky pup's eyes had notout an affectionate hand
Vanished, then, in a flash, every sy teeth closed on Jimmie's small hand with a snap Jimmie struck instantly--and struck hard The butt of the whip caught Tog on the nose He dropped the hand and leaped aith a yelp
”Now, 's eyes, not daring to glance at his own dripping hand, ”I'll er a question of e to conceive murder Moreover, he was of a size to justify an attempt upon Jim, his wolfish eyes fixed upon the boy's blazing blue ones For a onist ventured attack Both waited
It was Ji whip The lash cracked in Tog's face With a lol, the dog rushed, and before the boy could evade the attack, the dog had hi released his hold and leaped out of reach
He pawed about, snarling, shaking his bruised head
This advantage the boy sought to pursue He advanced--alert, cool, ready to strike Tog retreated Ji passed, turned, and ca had leaped for his throat Doent the boy, overborne by the dog's weight, and by the i was yet a puppy, unpracticed in fight; he had rip And a heavy stick, in the hands of Jiretreat
”I 'low, Jimmie,” drawled Ji _is_ teachin' you more 'n you knowed”
”I 'low, dad,” replied the breathless Jiot”
”I wouldn't forget again,” said Jin to reply