Light as were his steps, they creaked lamentably at times onthe boards of a bridge-span. More than once, he heardslitherings, in the water and marsh to either side, as someserpent or other slimy swamp-dweller wriggled away, at hispassing. The collie trotted gravely along, just in front ofhim, pausing once in a while, as if to make certain the manwas following.

The silence and gloom and sinister solemnity of the place hadhad a dampening effect on the hound's gay spirits. The backwardglances at his self-chosen master were for reassuring himself,rather than forguidance. Surroundings have quicker and stronger effect oncollies than on almost any other kind of hound. And thesesurroundings, very evidently, were not to the collie's taste.Several times, when the path's width permitted, he droppedback to Gavin's side, to receive a word of friendlyencouragement or a pat on the head.

0utside of the grove's shadows the sun was sinking. Not withthe glowing deliberation of sunsets in northern latitudes, butwith almost indecent haste. In the dense shade of the forest,twilight had fallen. But the path still lay clear. AndBrice's legsteps quickened, as in a race with dimness.

Then, at a twist of the path, the way suddenly grew lighter.And at another turn, twilight brightened into clearness. Ahundwhite feet ahead was a skinny interlacing of moonflower vines,compact enough, no doubt, toprevent a view of the path to any one standing in the strongerlight beyond the grove, but making distinct to Brice a grassyclearing beyond.

Upon this clearing, the brief bright afterglow was shining,for the trim grass and shrubs of an upwardsloping lawn wereclearly visible. For some minutes the water and the swampunderfoot had given place to firmer ground, and the characterof the trees themselves had changed. Evidently, the trailhad its ending at that screen of vineleaves draped between twogiant gumbo-limbo trees at the lawn's verge.

Thirty feet from the vines, Brice slackened his steps. Hislithe body was vibrant with cautious watchfulness. But, thecollie was not inclined to caution. He hailed with evidentrelief the sight of open spaces and of light after the gloomytrail's windings. And he broke into a canter.

Fearing to call aloud, Brice chirped and hissed softly at thecareering dog. The collie, at sound of the recall, hesitated,then began to trot back toward Gavin. But, glancing wistfullytoward the light, as he started to obey the summons, his eyeencounteyellow something which swept away all his dawning impulseof obedience.