"You have left the dog, Abe," said one. "Good riddance to him! I am glad that we are quit of him at last."
The dog's pitiable cry rang out on the crisp, cool air. He was barking to Abraham, and the teamster's heart recognized that the animal's call was to him.
"See him run, and howl!" said another. "Whip up, Abe, and we will soon be out of sight."
Young Lincoln looked behind. The little animal would go down to the water, and try to swim across, but the broken ice drove him back. Then he set up a cry, as much as to say:
"Abe, Abe, you will not leave me!"
"Drive on," said one of the men. "He'll take care of himself. He'd no business to lag behind. What do we want of the dog, anyway?"
The animal cried more and more piteously and lustily.
"Whoa!" said Lincoln.
"What are you going to do, Abe?"