ough the
bushes in the distance; sometimes a squeak or a chatter which sounded
terrible to the little boy's unaccustomed ears. And finally, far off
in the forest, came a long, low howl that set his teeth to chattering.

Was it a wolf? The thought was more than Gigi could bear. He fainted,
and fell forward into a bed of soft green moss.

VIII

THE RESCUE

Gigi must have lain all night where he fell. For when he opened his
eyes the sun was shining dimly through the dense leaves of the tree
overhead. He remembered only the last thing he had heard before his
eyes closed,--that long howl in the darkness. So it was with a thrill
of terror that he felt a strange touch on his face. Something warm and
wet was passing over his cheek. Something soft and warm was cuddling
close to his side. He thrust out his hand feebly, groping at something
to help him rise. His fingers closed in thick, soft hair. Suddenly
Gigi knew what was happening to his face. Some big animal was licking
it with a coarse but gentle tongue!

Was it the wolf that had howled? A dreadful thought! Gigi screamed
aloud. He struck at the creature with all the strength he had, which
was little enough.

"Get away! Go along with you!" he cried in Gypsy gibberish.

In answer, the animal uttered a whine, very gentle, very piteous; and
it began to lick the hand which had struck it.

Gigi's eyes had now grown used to the half-light. Suddenly he saw what
had lain beside him, keeping him warm all night. It was a great shaggy
dog, brown and white. Around his neck was a heavy collar of leather
studded with nails. Gigi did not like dogs. The only ones he knew had
always chased the Tumblers and barked at them as they entered or left a
village. Sometimes they had snapped at Gigi's heels so viciously that
he had cried out. And then Cecco would cuff him for making a fuss.

But this dog seemed friendly. He looked up in Gigi's face, and wagged
his tail pleasantly. He whined and put his nose in Gigi's hand; then
he got to his feet and ran away a few steps, looking back at the boy
and waiting. Gigi did not know what it meant. But when the dog saw
that the boy was not following, he went back and repeated his action.
Several times he did this, and still Gigi lay looking at him, too tired
and too weak to make an effort, even to think. At last the dog came
back once more. This time he took Gigi's hand between his teeth, very
gently, and began to