He patted the shoulder softly, put both arms around the bony neck, and pressed his face against the face of Dexter.

A moment he stood thus, then spoke in a tear-choked voice: "Good-by, old pal--the best, the truest pal a man ever had.

You and me has seen some tough times, old pard; but you've allus brought me through without a scratch; allus brought me through." There was a sob in the speaker's voice, but he manfully recovered a clear tone of pathos.

"And now, old pal, they're a-takin' ye from me--yes, we got to part, you an' me.

I'm never goin' to set eyes on ye agin.