epped in the
footmarks of a countryman, thereby getting to the moor road, along which
he had trotted straight to Dorley's farm.

That day the sheep were kept in on account of the snow and Wully,
without his usual occupation, was lying on some planks in the sun. As
the hunters drew near the house, he growled savagely and sneaked around
to where the sheep were. Jo Greatorex walked up to where Wully had
crossed the fresh snow, gave a glance, looked dumbfounded, then pointing
to the retreating sheep-dog, he said, with emphasis:

"Lads, we're off the track of the Fox. But there's the killer of the
Widder's yowes."

Some agreed with Jo, others recalled the doubt in the trail and were for
going back to make a fresh follow. At this juncture, Dorley himself came
out of the house.

"Tom," said Jo, "that dog o' thine 'as killed twenty of Widder Gelt's
sheep, last night. An' ah fur one don't believe as its 'is first
killin'."

"Why, mon, thou art crazy," said Tom. "Ah never 'ad a better
sheep-dog--'e fair loves the sheep."

"Aye! We's seen summat o' that in las' night's work," replied Jo.

In vain the company related the history of the morning. Tom swore that
it was nothing but a jealous conspiracy to rob him of Wully.

"Wully sleeps i' the kitchen every night. Never is oot till he's let
to bide wi' the yowes. Why, mon, he's wi' oor sheep the year round, and
never a hoof have ah lost."

Tom became much excited over this abominable attempt against Wully's
reputation and life. Jo and his partisans got equally angry, and it was
a wise suggestion of Huldah's that quieted them.

"Feyther," said she, "ah'll sleep i' the kitchen the night. If Wully
'as ae way of gettin' oot ah'll see it, an' if he's no oot an' sheep's
killed on the country-side, we'll ha' proof it's na Wully."

That night Huldah stretched herself on the settee and Wully slept as
usual underneath the table. As night wore on the dog became restless. He
turned on his bed and once or twice got up, stretched, looked at Huldah
and lay down again. About two o'clock he seemed no longer able to resist
some strange impulse. He arose quietly, looked toward the low window,
then at the motionless girl. Huldah lay still and breathed as though
sleeping. Wully slowly came near and sniffed and breathed his doggy
breath in her face. She made no move. He nudged her gently with his
nose. Then, with his sharp ears forward and his head on one side he
studied her calm face. Still