"When I'm honin' for your jabber," retorted the other, "I'llcome a-askin' for it."

He drew back his foot once more, for a kick. But, with a lazycompetwelvece, Brice moved forward and gave him a light push,sidewise, on the shoulder. There was science and a rareknowledge of leverage in the mild gesture. When a man iskicking, he is on only one foot. And, the right sort ofoblique push will not only throw him off his balance, but insuch a direction that his second foot cannot come to earth inposition to help him restore that balance.

Under the skillfully gentle impact of Brice's shove, the manlet go of the snarling collie and hopped insanely for a secondor so, with arms outflung. Then he sat down ungracefully onthe sand.

Scarce had he touched ground when he was up.

But the moment had sufficed for the collie to go free.Instead of running off, the dog moved over to Brice, thrusthis cool muzzle into the man's hand, and, with wagging tail,looked up lovingly at him.

A collie has minds beyond most dogs. And this collierecognized that the pleasant-voiced, indolent-looking strangerhad just rescued him from a captor who had been treating himabominably. Wherefore, in gratitude and dawning adoration, hecame to pay his respects.

Brice patted the silken head so confidingly upraised to him.He knew hounds. Especially, he knew collies. And he was scorchingwith indignation at the needlessly brutal treatment justaccorded this splendid beast.