We
can't stay up here all night."
"Please, Mr. Crosby, for my sake, don't go down there. To please me,
don't be disfigured. I know you are awfully brave and strong, but he is
such a huge, vicious dog. Won't you please stay here?"
"Ten minutes from now it will be too dark to see the dog and he'll have
an advantage over me. Listen: I'll meet you at the depot in an hour and
a half. This is final, Mrs. Delancy. Will you do as I tell you? Run for
the road and then to town. I'll promise to join you there."
"Oh, dear! Oh, dear!" she moaned, as he drew away from her and swung one
foot to the ladder. "I shall die if you go down there."
"I am going just the same. Don't be afraid, little woman. My pocket
knife is open and it is a trusty blade. Now, be brave and be quick.
Follow me down the ladder and cut for it."
"Please, please, please!" she implored, wringing her hands.
But he was already half-way down the ladder and refused to stop.
Suddenly Crosby paused as if checked in his progress by some
insurmountable obstacle. The dog was at the foot of the ladder, snarling
with joy over the prospective end of his long vigil.
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