Out of the house they pattered, silent and un- 

 seen, with murder in their hearts. At last they 

 had found their enemy alone. And slowly, in a 

 black cloud, like the Shadow of Death, they 

 dropped down the slope upon him. 



And he saw them coming, knew their errand, 

 as who should better than the Terror of the 

 Border, and was glad. Death it might be, and 

 such an one as he would wish to die ; at least 

 distraction from that long-drawn, haunting pain. 

 And he grinned as he looked at the approaching 

 crowd and saw there was not one there but he 

 had humbled in his time. 



He ceased his restless pacing, and awaited 

 them. His great head was high as he scanned 

 them contemptuously, daring them to come on. 



And on they came, marching slow and silent 

 like soldiers at a funeral : young and old ; bob- 

 tailed and bull ; terrier and collie, flocking like 

 vultures to the dead. And the Venus, heavy with 

 years, rolled after them on her bandy legs, panting 

 in her hurry lest she should be late : for had she 

 not the blood of her blood to avenge ? 



So they came about him, slow, certain, murder- 

 ous, opening out to cut him off on every side. 



There was no need. He never thought to 

 move. Long odds 'twould be — crushingly heavy ; 

 yet he loved them for it, and was trembling 

 already with the glory of the coming fight. 



212 



