As to the dogs, ever since the death of their two companions, a shadow that looked like a mattock was enough to make them scamper.

As soon as he reached the archway of the city gate he turned to reconnoitre the baker's shop, and perceiving no sign of movement, waited there watching for the first.
After about an hour, the door opened, and the baker's man appeared with a pail in his hand.

He went to a pump that stood in the street, and having filled his pail returned with it into the shop.

Curdie stole after him, found the door on the latch, opened it very gently, peeped in, saw nobody, and entered.

Remembering perfectly from what shelf the baker's wife had taken the loaf she said was the best, and seeing just one upon it, he seized it, laid the price of it on the counter, and sped softly out, and up the street.