Rick and Ruddy: The Story of a Boy and His Dog

by Howard Roger Garis

"I don't believe he is," answered the father. "He may have fallen from a tree, and, at worst, have broken a leg. I'll get him!"

He followed Ruddy, and, once the dog had made sure his master's father was coming along, he lost no time, but ran through the woods, straight to the place where he had left Rick.

"Rick! Rick! Where are you?" cried Mr. Dalton, as he entered the forest.

"Here I am, Dad! Caught fast in a tree!" cried the boy.

"Are you badly hurt?"

"No, only my leg is caught. Did Ruddy come after you?"

"Indeed he did! Good old Ruddy!"

The dog barked as he heard his name spoken, ran to Rick, who still was held fast, and again licked his face.

"Steady now, boy!" said Mr. Dalton, and, in a few moments he had raised Rick's foot, something which the boy could not do for himself, and had freed him from the tree-trap. That is really what it was, a tree-trap, though no one had set it. The trap just grew there.

To Rick's joy he found that his ankle was not broken, and not even sprained. It had been twisted rather roughly, and it gave him pain when he stepped on it, but he could walk slowly, and did not need to be carried.