all lying in the shade and startled us with the momen- 

 tous announcement : 



" Billy Griffiths can't take his pup ! " 



Every man of us sat up. Billy's pup was the first 

 pick, the champion of the litter, the biggest and 

 strongest of the lot. Several of the others said at 

 once that they would exchange theirs for this one ; 

 but Ted smiled and shook his head. 



" No," he said, " you had a good pick in the begin- 

 ning." Then he turned to me, and added : " You've 

 only had leavings." Some one said "The Rat," and 

 there was a shout of laughter, but Ted went on ; 

 " You can have Billy's pup." 



It seemed too good to be true ; not even in my 

 wildest imaginings had I fancied myself getting the 

 pick of the lot. I hardly waited to thank Ted before 

 going off to look at my champion. I had seen and 

 admired him times out of number, but it seemed as 

 if he must look different now that he belonged to me. 

 He was a fine big fellow, well built and strong, and 

 looked as if he 1 could beat all the rest put together. 

 His legs were straight ; his neck sturdy ; his muzzle 

 dark and shapely ; his ears equal and well carried ; 

 and in the sunlight his yellow coat looked quite bright, 

 with occasional glints of gold in it. He was indeed a 

 handsome fellow. 



As I put him back again with the others the odd 

 puppy, who had stood up and sniffed at me when I 

 came, licked my hand and twiddled his tail with the 

 friendliest and most independent air, as if he knew me 

 quite well and was glad to see me, and I patted the 



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