TOP, Carlo! Come back, sir! Be still!" cried Jane, trying to hold the little dog by a string tied to his collar.
But Carlo was in chase of two ducklings, and did not mind Jane's call. Of course the ducklings took to the water. Carlo ran after them to the water's edge, but there he stopped.
What stopped him? Jane was tugging pretty hard at the string. That was one thing that held him back; but that was not all. Carlo was not fond of the water; but he would not have stopped for that.
I will tell you what stopped him. While the ducklings were swimming away for dear life, the old mother-duck came sailing boldly up, with her great yellow beak, and faced Master Carlo.
She looked like a sloop-of-war all ready for action. Carlo was a brave dog; but he was afraid of her, for all that. So he stood still and barked.
Madam Duck did not mind his noise in the least. She quacked at him fiercely. This is what she meant to say: "Look here, my young friend, you are a dog, and I am a duck. You are at home on the land, but I am at home on the water. Bark as much as you please, but, if you know what is good for your health, keep out of this pond, and let my ducklings alone."
"Do you hear that, Carlo?" said Jane. "Now don't stop to answer, but come with me like a good dog, and we will have a run in the woods."
And then Carlo gave up his chase of the ducks, and went quietly where Jane led him.
JANE OLIVER.