About the middle of the afternoon Carlo went home; but at seven o'clock the next morning he returned, accompanied by three more dogs; one a great Newfoundland—Neptune. They all went up and smelt of Rover, sat round a while, and then disappeared, one after another, Carlo remaining, as before.
"I suppose," said Dan, "he went and saw all these dogs, told them what had happened to Rover, and so they came to see him."
The patient recovered rapidly; the stump healed, the ligatures came away, and it was evident the ends of the bones were well covered. Rich permitted both the dogs to lick it, which hastened the process of healing very much. Dr. Ryan came to see it, had a hearty laugh, congratulated Rich upon his success in this maiden effort, the fine appearance of the stump, and told him "He ought to give his patient a wooden leg."
Rover was now permitted to get up. The boys washed him with soap suds, rubbed him dry, and permitted him to walk out every day, and lie in the sun, on the grass. He was a beautiful dog—a spaniel, with a fine silky coat.
Carlo frisked around, barked, lay on his back, rolled over, and expressed his joy in every imaginable way.
Rover soon began to run about the yard, and follow Dan round the premises, going (till he became tired) as well on three legs as four. One noon, Dan came home from school, and found neither of the dogs at home. He was greatly disturbed, for Rover had now become very dear to him.
"I expect," said Mrs. Clemens, "he has gone back to his old home and master."
"Mother, I don't believe Rover is such a fool as that. Go back to the fellow who was going to murder him! I know he loves me better than that."
"I guess," said Rich, "he has gone to return some of the calls that have been made on him." So it proved. For when Dan came home at night, both dogs had returned, bringing two more with them.
Mrs. Clemens gradually became attached to Rover, till at length he completely won her heart, and filled the void left by the loss of Gertrude.