ood still, with the horses'
heads turned towards him; but what was that choking savage growl which
met his ear? Surely that was Moses' voice, though strangely stifled.

With a hoarsely muttered oath Joshua quickened his pace to a run,
stretched out his powerful arm, and seized hold of a boy about Tim's
size, who, with several parcels in his arms, was trying in vain to
escape. In vain--because, hanging fast on to one leg, with resolute
grip and starting fiery eyes, was the faithful Moses. Every separate
hair of his rough coat bristled with excitement and rage, his head was
bleeding from a wound made by a kick or a blow, and he uttered all the
time the half-strangled growls which Joshua had heard.

And where was Tim? Oh, sad falling off! Tim had deserted his post; he
had proved less faithful than the dog Moses.

When a few minutes later he came hurrying back breathless, there were no
traces of what had happened, except on Joshua's enraged red countenance
and Moses' bleeding head. The strange boy, who had so easily beguiled
him, had been quickly handed over to a policeman. And there were no
parcels missing--thanks to Moses, but not, alas, to Tim.

Disgraced and miserable, he stood before the angry Joshua, silent in the
midst of a torrent of wrathful words. He deserved every one of them.
Instant dismissal without a character was all he had to expect, and he
waited trembling for his fate. But, behold, an unlooked-for
intercessor! Moses, seeing Joshua's threatening attitude and his dear
master's downcast face, drew near to help him, and, as was his custom,
stood up and put his paw on the boy's arm. Joshua looked at the dog;
his silent presence pleaded eloquently in Tim's favour, and the angry
tone was involuntarily softened.

"If ever a boy deserved the sack, it's you," he said; "and, as sure as
my name's Joshua, you should have it if it wasn't for that dog o' yourn.
He's worth a score o' boys, that dog is, for he does his dooty, as well
as knows what it is."

Tim breathed again; he flung his arms round Moses' neck, who licked his
face eagerly.

"Give us another chance," he cried imploringly, "we'll both work so
hard, Moses and me, and I'll never leave the cart again. If you only
won't turn us off I'll work without wage ever so long, that I will."

"That, in course, you will," said Joshua grimly, yet relenting, "and
you'll get a jolly good thrashing besides. And if you're not turned off
you've got the do