PAT!

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20596, 21 June 1930, Page 28 (Supplement)

PAT!

By PHYLLIS CHTTNN, Teasdale Street To Awamutui (Original.)

Down the bush-clad hillside, garbed in rough working clothes, a white man went to his work. By hi 3 side a rough-haired English terrier frisked gaily. "Twas springtime—a sunny New Zealand springtime, and John Daring's thoughts fitted in with his surroundings. Summer was coming, and with it would come the ship bringing Mary and the children to bright New Zealand. Mary! He hadn't seen her for two years. How he would welcome her to the little home he had been preparing! He hoped little Fan hadn't grown too much. And the boys! Why, John must be 14 now, and Donald 11. How time flew!

" Wough, wough!" barked Pat, breaking the flow of his master's thoughts. "What is it, old man? A stick? After it!" and away the playful dog bounded.

As he followed him, Mr. Daring realised anew what a brave and loyal little friend lie had in Pat. Ho seemed a woe to tho Maoris, though! The man smiled ruefully, for the dog showed great antagonism toward one Maori in particular. Ho was Tohi—son of a chief. It was curious that the two should show any ill-feeling whatever. Mr. Daring also observed that a number of the Maoris had eyed tho dog with great distrust lately He shook himself. Surely he was developing a suspicious nature. *' * * * * * »•

Two months later as John Daring strode through the bush, a feeling of fear assailed him. But it vanished in a trice and ho recovered his composure. And now he slopped into a little forest glada preparing to rest. Strange! Pat was silent fa-day. Perhaps ho wasn't well. As his master settled down to sleep the dog lay prone, his head between his paws, his eyes roving the bushes around. All was silent, save for the regular breathing of his sleeping master. Suddenly, a soft footfall struck the dog's keen hearing. He did not move. Being partly concealed by fern ho knew that to shift would discloso his identity. Crack! went, a twig. This time in the opposite direction. Pat drew his little ears back till they lay flat on his head. Ho bared his teeth. Those sounds, in opposite directions, bafiled the intelligent animal.

The next instant the glance of a spear caught his _ eye. It was poised—ready to throw at his beloved master.

A streak 9f brown! Straight nt tho tliroat of the man Pat sprang. It was Tohi—on whom Mr. Daring's thoughts had so often centred of late. The wretched man uttered a scream like one demented. Up sprang Mr. Daring. Calling Pat off, and stroking his head, bo was abouf, to speak when ho was seized-from behind. , • TohiV shriek had summoned the tribe.

. Then to tho Maori village tho prisoners —man and dog—were marched. Arrived at tho'village, tho Maoris held a consultation. . -

At last they came to him, their eyes gleaming with malice. ' Unless he parted with faithful Pat they would kill him, nbw, before his wife could reach- New Zealand shores . Tho poor man glanced at Pat.. Poor iilllo Pat! Why should they hate him so? Tho pitiful look in his Soft, brown eyes went straight to the man's heart. Ho was about to speak when .1 spear • flushed. It struck Pat in the sid<y. A shriek rent the air. And thus Pat died. At ouco a gloom enshrouded .all. Even Tohi—a-uol Tohi—who so spitefnllv kil'ed poor Prtt, was subdued now (hat the cruel deed was done.

John Daring was freed. Tenderly ho carried the dog's romains home and laid them under tho shadow of the hill. On tiny wooden headstono he printed the Words: ".In Memory of Bravo Pat, who saved my . life.—J. Daring." That evening he returned to his cabin alone. He sat in the little porch watching tho sun sink behind the hills. Ho saw tho bluo hills turn from mauve to purple as tho sun sank lowor and tho first star peeped through. And a great loneliness and sense of tho Into loss foil on his soul as the pale light of tho moon fell on tho lilflo mound under tho hill.