running across the field on the other, and who could tell which of these two they ought to take?

Certainly neither of the men could. But Neptune, for some reason or other, very decidedly preferred the lane to the field path, and while the men stood hesitating, away he trotted down it; and the two men, glad to be guided by anything, whether beast or fellowcreature, turned their backs also upon the field, and followed where Neptune led.

But alas for the weary feet that plunged on through miry lanes, and plodded along vainly on their fruitless search! The summer day had been a couple of hours from ending when they left the inn, but when the sun had set and the twilight had come on they were still as much at sea as they had ever been. The men had lost their way, and had got tired and spiritless; trusting to Neptune's guidance, they had been making a great circuit, and had just found themselves again at a point which they had left an hour ago; it was getting dark, and they were footsore and hungry. What more could they do? As for continuing the search after nightfall, that was out of the question; besides, some of the other parties that were out might have been more lucky than themselves, and by this time the boy might have been found; they had better make their way home again, they decided, and learn there how matters stood. So they turned them about, and whistled to the dog to follow them.

But little did they know of Neptune's nature, and of his patient, brave, enduring, loving heart. He stood still for a moment when they called him, and turned and looked up in their faces. 'What-go home, and give up looking for little Harry!' his look said, and then he gave a great wild bark, and bounded away— fast, out of their sight, lest they should try to get at him and hold him-away like the wind again over hill and dale. For what did he care though his unaccustomed legs were stiff with running, and his tongue was swollen and dry, and his eyes bloodshot? He only knew that little Harry was lost, and that, let who would go home, for him there was no going home again till he had thrust his black old muzzle once more into his little master's hand-till his old eyes had looked once more in little Harry's face.

So he ran on still in his wild way-here and there, backwards and forwards, searching in every impossible hole and corner, like the stupid old dog he was, as though Harry had been a rabbit or a rat instead of a little lad of six years old (but it was better to make sure, Neptune thought patiently, for this was such a strange world that there was no saying where little Harry might not be hid); and, ashamed to go home without him, the men still unwillingly followed behind.

But the end was near at hand now. A few minutes longer, and then suddenly, as Neptune was a little way ahead, all at once they heard an eager yelping

sound, a hurried crackling of the brushwood in the nearest hedge, and then a loud wild joyous bark.

'He's found him!' the men cried, and started forward as if they had not walked a step that day.

And so he had. The long day's search at last was ended. The old dog's happy eyes had looked once more on the little master that he loved. There he was, crouching at the bottom of that steep bank.

'Little Master, I have found you!' he cried out, in his doggish tongue. And with that joyful greeting on his faithful lips he fell bleeding on the ground; for, as he leapt the bank, the man who had stolen little Harry turned sharply round, and, with a gun that was in his hand, shot the old dog through the back.

'Oh, Cousin Trix!' exclaimed little Mabel, and burst out crying.

'Are you sorry for old Neptune?' said Cousin Trix. 'Well, little Harry, I can tell you, was sorry too.'

He broke away from the woman who was trying to hold him, and threw himself upon the ground, sobbing, by his side. Oh, Neptune, my old Neptune, my dear old Neptune!' he cried out, and he threw his arms about the dog's neck, and sobbed aloud, and pressed his curly head against the poor old heart. I don't think they two thought of anything but one another for a whole minute or more, even though the other four