ence of the dog, who
proved to be a handsome and intelligent member of his race, black
and tan in colour, with appealing eyes and a quick comprehension of
what was spoken to him, added greatly to the pleasure of the lads.
They gave their new companion the name of Fido, as a tribute to his
affection for his dead master; but they were very well pleased that
he did not carry his fidelity to the pass of remaining behind by
the great pit when they started forth to pursue their way to their
aunt's house beyond Islington.

Fido ran backwards and forwards for a while whining and looking
pathetically sorrowful; but after the boys had coaxed and caressed
him, and had explained many times over that his master could not
possibly come back, he seemed to resign himself to the inevitable,
and trotted at their heels with drooping tail, but with gratitude
in his eyes whenever they paused to caress him or give him a kind
word.

And they were glad enough of his company along the road, for from
time to time they met groups of very rough-looking men prowling
about as though in search of plunder. Some of these fellows eyed
the wallets carried by the boys with covetous glances; but on such
occasions Fido invariably placed himself in front of his young
masters, and with flashing eyes and bristling back plainly
intimated that he was there to protect them, whilst the gleaming
rows of shining teeth which he displayed when he curled up his lips
in a threatening snarl seemed to convince all parties that it was
better not to provoke him to anger.

The more open parts of the region without the walls looked very
strange to the boys as they journeyed onwards. Numbers of tents
were to be seen dotted about Finsbury and Moor Fields and whole
families were living there in the hope of escaping contagion.
Country people from regions about came daily with their produce to
supply the needs of these nomads; and it was curious to see the
precautions taken on both sides to avoid personal contact. The
villagers would deposit their goods upon large stones set up for
the purpose; and after they had retired to a little distance, some
persons from the tents or scattered houses would come and take the
produce, depositing payment for it in a jar of vinegar set there to
receive it. After it had thus lain a short time, the vendor would
come and take it thence; but some were so cautious that they would
not place it in purse or pocket till they had passed it through th