were so annoying that the double-loaded weapon was kept ready
to be used against the pests when they ventured too near.

"See dar, uncle!" said Rube in a scared voice. The old man also ceased
work, adjusted his iron-rimmed spectacles, and looked toward the fence.

Within a few feet of where the flint lock musket inclined against the
rails, a yellow dog was trying to push his way through. Watching his
efforts for a few minutes, the elder said:

"Rube, I wish we had de gun; dat dog ain't peaceable."

"He am mad; dis ain't de place fur us."

"Slip down to de fence and got de gun; dat's a good boy!"

"Gracious!" gasped the youth; "it am right dar by de dog."

"He won't notice you; run behind him and be quick 'bout it, or he'll
chaw us bofe to def."

"He'll chaw _me_ suah if I goes near him," was the reply of Rube, who
felt little ardor for the task his relative urged upon him.

"Ain't it better dat _one_ ob us should go dead, dan bofe should be
obstinguished?" asked the uncle reproachfully.

"Dat 'pends which am de one to go dead; if it am _me_, it am better for
_you_, but I don't see whar _I'm_ to come in; 'spose you see wheder you
can got de gun--"

"Dar he comes!" whispered Uncle Pete.

Sure enough the cur, having twisted his body between the rails, began
trotting toward the couple that were watching him with such interest.

There was good reason for fear, since the canine was afflicted with the
rabies in the worst form. He showed no froth at the jaws, for animals
thus affected do not, but his eyes were fiery, his mouth dry, the
consuming fever burning up all moisture. He moaned as if in pain, his
torture causing him to snap at everything in reach. He had bitten
shrubbery, branches, wood and other objects, and now made for the
persons with the purpose of using his teeth on them.

"Rube," said his uncle, "stand right whar you am! No use ob runnin',
for he'll cotch you; when he gets nigh 'nough bang him wid your hoe; if
dat don't fotch him, I'll gib him anoder whack and dat'll finish him
suah."

Fate seemed to have ordered that the younger person should hold the van
in the peril, though he was tempted to take his place by his relative,
so that the attack of the dog should be met by both at the same
instant. This promised to be effective, but the time was too brief to
permit any plan of campaign.

The brute was already within a hundred yards of Rube, who, with his hoe
drawn back, as though it were