The dog was a collie; noble of aspect, massive of coat.
But that same coat vied with the setting sun in garish brilliancy of hue.

Never since the birth of time, had such a beast been seen by mortals.

From the tip of his aristocratic nose to the plume of his sweeping tail, the collie was one blazingly vivid mass of crimson! He fairly irradiated flaring red lights.

His coat was wet and it hung stickily to his lean sides, as if he had just come from a swim.

And it was tinted like a chromo of a prairie fire.
Following more slowly to the veranda's edge, Colonel Osbourne had begun a reply to the Mistress's half-finished speech of gratitude for his hospitality.
"I was only too glad to be of service," said he.