NAT'S SHAGGY PUP. 157 
gling mound of grayish black fur. At first he thought 
Carlo had made his way into the cave ahead of him ; but 
a moment's observation convinced him of his error. It 
was not a shaggy Newfoundland, venting his displeasure 
so inhospitably in the corner. There were plainly two 
animals, whatever they were, making the uncouth noises, 
and showing their little white teeth at the intruder. 
Now, Nat, as we have seen, was a strangely courageous 
boy. He absolutely did not seem to know what fear 
meant. He always acted as if he knew his father were 
close at hand, and that no evil could possibly befall him 
so long as he behaved well and did as he would be done 
by. 
When he saw the furry pair on the leaves in the 
corner, he was by no means alarmed, but, advancing, 
began to speak to them coaxingly, holding his hand out 
as he did so. 
The little creatures, after all, did not seem disposed to 
be hostile, but rather cuddled up to the boy with con- 
tented little whines and grunts. Nat's heart was won at 
once. 
They must be little dogs ! " he said to himself. 
" There are wild-cats in the woods, I've heard Joe say ; 
and why shouldn't there be wild dogs as well ? " 
It then occurred to his active brain that one of them 
would make a good play-fellow for Carlo — at least over 
night. If he wanted to go back to his nest in the morn- 
ing he could. 
