when half-way down the hill on their return they saw katy, who had been at the beach, wave her handkerchief, and turn to come and meet them. at the same instant they caught sight of wolfish figures stealing along among the rocks and bushes at the base.
"the wild dogs!" both exclaimed, in the same breath, and both felt their blood stop flowing for an instant, for in a minute or two more katy would meet the brutes, and she must do so before they could get there to help her. they shouted to her, as they hurried at neck-breaking speed down the rough ledges; but she did not hear or did not understand them, and then they lost sight of both her and the dogs behind some bushes. a moment later they saw her again, but with what surprise!
the girl stood in the middle of a smooth, grassy plat, facing the three dogs, which were gathered in a group, the father of the family in front, and only a few feet from her. all were silent, and the big one was stretching his neck forward, as if debating whether he dared lead his mate and the pup any closer. katy caught a glimpse of the boys, and quickly raised her right hand, as though signing to them not to advance; but she never took her eye off the animals, nor ceased to speak to them in coaxing tones, while she held out her left hand beckoning them to come nearer. thus far this had had no effect. the big leader could not make up his mind to trust her, though as yet he showed no disposition to attack.
"what shall we do?" aleck whispered to tug, in an agony of suspense. "she can't keep that up long. let us rush in."
"all right," tug whispered back; "but we must get a stone or a club! 'twon't do to go at 'em naked-handed."
clubs were not handy, but each took heavy stones in both hands, and began a stealthy advance. at that same instant they saw the foremost dog begin to wag his tail slowly, while, one by one, as it were, the hairs upon the back of his neck were lowered. the lads halted, and watched the scene with astonishment and anxiety. katy still spoke coaxingly, and at last took a gentle step forward. the dog, though suspicious, still wagged his tail. she quietly walked backward three or four steps, and sat down upon a bowlder—an act which the lesser dogs behind at once imitated. "good dog! fine fellow! come here; come, tiger," she said, over and over, changing the name every time in hopes of hitting some one that might have been this mastiff's before he was an outcast. finally, as she sat there with her eyes steadily on his, and beginning to feel very tired, the animal's big square face suggested a picture she had seen of a german prince, just then beginning to become famous.
"why, bismarck!" she called out, in confident tones, "don't you know me? and don't you want a bone? good old bismarck!"
she knew instantly that she had hit it. the dog dropped his ears and hung his head, walked slowly up, and laid his great muzzle, big as a tiger's almost, in her lap, while slowly and suspiciously his followers came nearer and nearer to her by slow advances.
"well, i vum!" muttered tug, in utter amazement, while aleck was too astounded to say even that much. "i'm 'fraid we shall spoil that very pretty tea-party unless we sneak home another way; and i 'low two or three bullets in the gun would do no harm."
but their first movement was heard. the mastiff lifted his head, erected his mane, and with a hoarse growl sprang towards the lads. katy was terribly frightened, but kept her presence of mind.
"bismarck!" she commanded sternly, "keep quiet! come back here, sir!" and the great dog, growling and showing his teeth, stopped his course, and slowly returned to his mistress.
"boys," the girl called out, when she saw this, "go right along, and pay no attention to the dogs. when i see you safely near the house i'll come. don't be alarmed for me."
"come on, tug," said aleck; "the sister knows best."
just before they reached the door they turned and saw her walking slowly towards them, the huge, lean father-mastiff close by her side, quiet and submissive, and the mother of the wild crew following tamely in his footsteps; while the whelp, that had never known, as the older dogs had, what it was to have a human master, straggled along behind, apparently in great doubt whether his respected parents had not lost their senses.
tug hastily entered the house, and quickly appeared at the window with his gun at his shoulder, ready to shoot if the mastiff showed any signs of treachery; but he did nothing of the sort. forty yards or so from the house, however, he declined to go any farther, and katy, without once looking round, walked steadily on to the door, where her brother caught her in his arms, almost at the point of fainting, for the strain upon her nerves had nearly exhausted her strength.
