It had its effect, for the beast passed me with a snarl, and flew along the path on the traces of Bonaventure de Lapp.
He turned at the shouting, and seemed to take in the whole thing at a glance; but he strolled along as slowly as ever.

My heart was in my mouth for him, for the dog had never seen him before; and I ran as fast as my feet would carry me to drag it away from him.

But somehow, as it bounded up and saw the twittering finger and thumb which de Lapp held out behind him, its fury died suddenly away, and we saw it wagging its thumb of a tail and clawing at his knee.
"Your dog then, Major ?" said he, as its owner came hobbling up.

"Ah, it is a fine beast--a fine, pretty thing!" The Major was blowing hard, for he had covered the ground nearly as fast as I.
"I was afraid lest he might have hurt you," he panted.
"Ta, ta, ta!" cried de Lapp.

"He is a pretty, gentle thing; I always love the dogs.