There was the dog ; and the trouble was that he did n't stay there , but came right down the slope at a steady , business-like trot . He was a bull-dog and big enough to bite a body clean in two , and he was the ugliest thing in dogs I had ever seen . Melissa and I both lost our heads . We screamed , dropped our parasols , and ran instinctively to the only refuge that was in sight -- a ladder leaning against the old Appleby house . I am forty-five and something more than plump , so that climbing ladders is not my favorite form of exercise . But I went up that one with the agility and grace of sixteen . Melissa followed me , and we found ourselves on the roof -- fortunately it was a flat one -- panting and gasping , but safe , unless that diabolical dog could climb a ladder . I crept cautiously to the edge and peered over . The beast was sitting on his haunches at the foot of the ladder , and it was quite evident he was not short on time . The gleam in his eye seemed to say : `` I 've got you two unprincipled subscription hunters beautifully treed and it 's treed you 're going to stay . That is what I call satisfying . '' I reported the state of the case to Melissa . `` What shall we do ? '' I asked . `` Do ? '' said Melissa , snappishly . `` Why , stay here till Isaac Appleby comes out and takes that brute away ? What else can we do ? '' `` What if he is n't at home ? '' I suggested .
`` We 'll stay here XXXXX he comes home .
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