“He wants to shake hands with you, Alexis,” he said brokenly.
The giant drew nearer, and gravely took Marquis’ right paw in his great hand. Once, twice, three times he shook it gently, then laid it upon the ground and turned away. Marquis moved restlessly, and uttered a short bark. He was trying to see Hal, who was kneeling behind him.
Hal arose and came around. To him also Marquis extended his paw, and Hal grasped it and pressed it. Then, shifting his position slightly, the dog also extended the paw to Chester. He seemed to know well that the end was swiftly approaching, and he wished to shake hands with all his friends before he passed away.
Now the three gathered about the head of their dying friend. Alexis clenched his great fists and spoke to Marquis.
“I shall see that you are avenged,” he said fiercely. “Twenty German lives will not pay for this day’s work, but I’ll do the best I can. Do you understand, Marquis?”
Marquis’ tail beat a weak tattoo upon the ground, and he barked feebly. He understood.
“I’ll do it!” said Alexis. “You may rest assured of that.”
Now the end was fast approaching. Marquis’ breath came in quick gasps. Suddenly he staggered to his feet, stood upright a second, turned his face toward the distant enemy, and gave utterance to one sharp bark–a bark of defiance. Then he sank to the ground.
His three friends dropped to their knees and bent over him. He looked up into their faces and it seemed to all that he smiled at them. His tail struck the ground feebly, once, twice. He shook once with a silent convulsion. Then his body straightened out and stiffened. He lay still.
Marquis was dead.