I called . `` But how can you get it to me ? '' For answer Ernest tied a bit of driftwood to the rope and put it into Laddie 's mouth . The next minute the dog was swimming out to me . As soon as he came close I caught the rope . It was just long enough to stretch from shore to rock , allowing for a couple of hitches which Ernest gave around a small boulder on the ledge . I tied my camera case on my head by means of some string I found in my pocket , then I slipped into the water and , holding to the rope , went hand over hand to the shore with Laddie swimming beside me . Ernest held on to the shoreward end of the rope like grim death , a task that was no light one for his small arms . When I finally scrambled up beside him , his face was dripping with perspiration and he trembled like a leaf . `` Ern , you are a brick ! '' I exclaimed . `` You 've saved my life ! '' `` No , it was Laddie , '' said Ernest , refusing to take any credit at all . We hurried home and arrived at Uncle Richard 's about ten , just as they were going to bed . When Uncle Richard heard what had happened , he turned very pale , and murmured , `` Thank God ! '' Aunt Kate got me out of my wet clothes as quickly as possible , put me away to bed in hot blankets and dosed me with ginger tea . I slept like a top and felt none the worse for my experience the next morning . At the breakfast table Uncle Richard scarcely spoke . But , just as we finished , he said abruptly to Ernest , `` I 'm not going to sell Laddie . You and the dog saved Ned 's life between you , and no dog who helped do that is ever going to be sold by me .
Henceforth he belongs XXXXX you .
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