Not until the kitchen was put in proper order did Benny consider that he was at liberty to go out of doors, even though all the men, save the keeper himself, insisted that there was no good reason why he should not take advantage of the cook’s proposition.
Then, with Fluff under his arm, he went out back of the station buildings, where, in a spot sheltered from the wind, the crew was impatiently awaiting his arrival.
Maje was present, appearing calmly indifferent to the unusual amount of interest suddenly displayed in him, but he pricked up his ears ominously on seeing the white-haired visitor.
“Do you think there’s any danger he’ll hurt Fluff?” Benny asked solicitously.
“Don’t worry about that part of it,” Sam Hardy replied confidently. “Maje knows as well as we do that it’s his duty to be polite to strangers, an’ if he shows signs of forgettin’ it, we’ll give him a lesson that won’t soon be forgot.”
“Please don’t whip him, for then he’d always remember that Fluff got him into trouble, an’ never would be friendly.”
“Let young Foster down, an’ I’ll look after Maje,” Joe Cushing said as he grasped the big dog’s collar.
There was a look of anxiety on Benny’s face as he gave Fluff his freedom, and saw the little fellow walk directly up to Maje in the most reckless fashion.
The big dog condescended to sniff at the impudent visitor, and then he turned his head away, as if to say that such small game was entirely beneath his notice. Nor was it possible to persuade him into paying any further attention to the guest, and after several fruitless efforts Joe Cushing said with just a shade of disappointment in his tone:
“Your introduction hasn’t turned out much of an affair after all, Sam. I allowed we might see some sport.”