102 BRUNO 



bors went off for a day's jaunt, as they fre- 

 quently did, we were quite isolated. 



After I had shut Bruno in the hall, I sat 

 down by the kitchen fire to toast my toes and 

 wait for the butcher-boy. I was impatient for 

 him to come, so I could release Bruno, who did 

 not like being shut up. He was perfectly will- 

 ing to lie in the hall, in fact, it was a favorite 

 dozing-place with him, but, like some people, 

 he did not enjoy the idea of being forced to do 

 even what he liked best. I was glad when I 

 heard a step on the back porch, and sprang 

 eagerly to open the door. There stood the 

 dirtiest, most evil-looking tramp I had ever 

 seen. He was so taken aback at the way the 

 door flew open, that I had slammed it and shot 

 the bolt before he recovered. I hurried in for 

 Bruno, who had heard the strange step and was 

 eager to investigate. As soon as I returned 

 and unfastened the bolt, the tramp threw his 

 weight against the door to force it open. Bruno 

 sprang to the opening with a whole volley of 

 barks and growls. I caught his collar, saying 

 to the tramp, 



" You ? d better run; I can't hold him long! ' 

 I never saw a man make better time. I gave 

 him a minute's start, then loosed Bruno. He 



