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 mush." Again the captain pointed along the woodland trail, the trail that the dog knew so well.

Once more Pierre whined in eagerness and tugged at his collar.

"All right," said the captain. "I knew you would understand."

Presently the message was ready and the captain placed it in an oilskin tube made for the purpose and concealed it under the dog's collar. He smoothed it out carefully and then let out the collar one hole. He would need all the breath that nature could give him on this desperate journey and the captain did not want him choked by a tight collar.

Then the soldier very tenderly kissed the dog on the top of his head while Pierre showered the man's face with dog kisses.

"I am hating to send you, little soldier,"