The dog bounded back along the shore with a quick bark . Curtis grasped him by the collar and pointed to the stick which young Stockton had just hurled again into the water . Don , with another bark of comprehension , dashed into the sea . The onlookers , grasping the situation , gave a cheer and then relapsed into silence . Only the shriek of the gale and the crash of the waves could be heard as they watched the magnificent dog swimming out through the breakers , his big black head now rising on the crest of a wave and now disappearing in the hollow behind it . When Don finally reached the tossing stick , grasped it in his mouth and turned shoreward , another great shout went up from the beach . A woman behind Curtis , whose husband was on the schooner , dropped on her knees on the pebbles , sobbing and thanking God . Curtis himself felt the stinging tears start to his eyes . When Don reached the shore he dropped the stick at Curtis 's feet and gave himself a tremendous shake . Curtis caught at the stick , while a dozen men and women threw themselves bodily on Don , hugging him and kissing his wet fur like distracted creatures . Old Paul Stockton was among them . Over his shoulder Don 's big black head looked up , his eyes asking as plainly as speech what all this fuss was about . Meanwhile some of the men had already pulled a big hawser ashore and made it fast . In half an hour the crew of the Amy Reade were safe on shore , chilled and dripping . Before they were hurried away to warmth and shelter , old Paul Stockton caught Curtis 's hand . The tears were running freely down his hard , old face . `` Tell your uncle he is not to lay a finger on that dog ! '' he said . `` He never killed a sheep of mine -- he could n't ! And if he did I do n't care !
He 's welcome to kill them all , XXXXX nothing but mutton 'll serve his turn . ''
In Over as by from if of on through with