“By gun,” cried Bill, springing up, “I ’ev it. He wants us to follow ’im, ’e has found some one off yonder who is wounded an’ he wants us to go with ’im. Perhaps it is his master.”
Pep barked and wagged his tail. When the man got up to follow him, he was delighted.
“See ’ere, Bill, you can’t leave this ’ere one. We ’ev got to get him out first.” But luck was with Pep, for another Red Cross man came along and took Bill’s place at the stretcher and his new friend was free to follow him.
“Now, Perp,” said Bill comfortingly. “You just lead the way an’ if there is anything in this ’ere woods you want me to know about, I’m your man.”
Pep went forward eagerly, absolutely sure of the way. He no longer thought of his broken leg, or the terrors of the woods. He was bringing aid to his master. Twenty minutes later he led the way into the ravine and there they found the doctor. He was lying very still with one hand across his face. The Red Cross man thought that he was dead, but Pep smelled the beloved hand and saw that it was warm. The Red Cross man felt for the pulse. It was fairly strong.
“All right, old Perp,” he said in a whisper. “’E’s still alive. Perhaps we’ll save him yet. You just watch here and I will go after another hand and a stretcher.”
So for the second time that night Pep took up his vigil by his master’s side on the edge of the Argonne forest.
It greatly worried Pep to have his master lie so still. He covered his face with dog kisses, and nuzzled his hand, but the hand would not move.
He seized the canteen in his mouth hoping that the doctor would throw it that he might bring it to him as he had done earlier in the night, but his master made no sign. So finally the faithful dog lay down to watch. He felt sure that the good man would come back. Something in his voice had reassured Pep.
At last after about half an hour he heard footsteps and soon to his great delight two men appeared with an empty stretcher. Silently they laid the wounded physician on the stretcher, then lifted their burden and began slowly carrying it through the thick woods. Pep limped after them, overjoyed that help had come at last.