Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-16

to return to the camp, for Mr.. RICH,
had gone to town that morning and
Jacks prediction concerning posi-
Bile argument about game chickens
was leaving the gate he saw SnaI
coming after him. Snap had beer
out about the barn during Laurence's
call at the house. But he had scented
his presence, and ran after him. Al
the gate Laurence drove him back
go home" he said, speaking firmly
to Snap. But Snap only stood, softly
whining to go along. Laurence went
off, not looking back again, and think
ing that Snap had returned to the
yard.
However, Snap had done no such
thing. He was keeping safe dis
lance behind Laurence, trotting along
| half-hidden by the tall grass and
woods of the roadside. When Lau.
renee drew near to the camp he did
not observe a dark form sinking
from a bunch Of bushes that grew
near to the tent. The form kept In
the shadow of bushes and saplings
which were covered with vines.
| But Snap saw the form and he
knew 1t to be one of those creatures
forbidden to enter his masters yard.
But after having seen the tramp Snap
lost sight of him. Evidently the
tramp had seen Snap. and had taken
| himself off to safe distance. .sr
Laurence entered the tent and put
the butter in little tin pail which
he then carried to the spring near by.
He set the pail in the water to keep
the butter cool. Having accomplished
this bit of camp work he looked about
to see what else there was to do. AS
no work seemed necessary just then,
he decided to wander off into the
woods on an exploring expedition
After Laurence had departed from
the camp, Snap, who had kept a
watchful eye on him, came openly
to the tent and went inside 1t. After
satisfying himself that he could be
comfortable there he lay down in a
corner Just what went through his
mind 1t is not possible to say, but
he did not sleep. He seemed to be
waiting for something to happen.
And something did happen, too And
it happened pretty soon. .
After Laurence had disappeared
into the woods the same skulk1ng
form that had been espied by Snap
in the bushes came into light again.
Evidently the tramp (for the dark
form was nothing more nor less than
Weary Willie'') had been watch
ing the maneuvers of Laurence from
a place too distant for him to observe
Snap If he had seen Snap when that
four.legger first came to the camp he
must have thought that he followed
his master away into the woods. Any
way. transactions proved that the
tramp did not realize the presence OF
Snap inside the tent, nor about the
camp premises.
About twenty minutes after Snap
had stretched himself inside the tent,
as self-appointed guard OF the place,
a noise caught his ear. 1t was the
sneaking step Snap knew so we'll. he
sat up, his ears bent in listening at
titude. He did not bark. He was too
wise for that. s..%
The tent opened and a hideous head
was thrust in. Then whole body en-
tered The head had failed to note
the figure of Snap in corner OF the
tent. In fact, a pile Of bedding helped
to conceal him, for he lay behind It.
The tramp came into the tent and
began to pick up some loose garments
he saw there. He had just filled his
arms, and was bending down to get
at the mess box (where bread, bacon.
sugar and coffee were stored) when
small. compact form darted at him,
and before he realized what was hap
penine Snap had hold OF his coat
sleeve. Snap had missed his aim.
He had intended to grab the man s
throat. But he held on the piece OF
sleeve like a wise. In vain did the
tramp try to shake him off. Out OF
the tent the tramp ran. struggling
against Snap, who growled between
his tightly shut teeth. hanging on like
the proverbial grim death. The
tramp was afraid to strike the dog
for fear of his letting go the coat In
order to get hold on his flesh. So he
shook himself and then began trying
to get out of the coat. Together
man and dog struggled several feet
from the tent, and then something
else happened.
Laurance, after thinking the matter
over, had decided not to leave the
camp alone, and returned to it. He
came through the underbrush Just as
Snap was about to make leap for a
new hold on his victim. Laurance
saw and understood the situation. He
ran forward and called Snap off. The
dog didn't obey at first, but Laurance's
voice soon prevailed and he let go the
tramp's sleeve.
The culprit, once more free, stood
looking mean. He knew he had been
caught in the very act of thievery
for he still had coat belonging to
Laurance over his free arm.
Come off, Snap!" Laurance sur
veyed the man as the dog obeyed
him He was an evil looking fellow.
capable OF almost any meanness. And
at the moment Laurence felt glad
that Snap was there. The great hulk
ing tramp could soon overpower him
should he desire to do SO, and help
himself to whatever he wished Of the
camps possessions.
Snap stood growing menacingly,
and It required several sharp words
from Laurence to keep him off his
Ill