(First published in The Cosmopolitan , June, 1902 as "Diable - A Dog")

Batard was a devil. This was recognized throughout the
Northland. "Hell's Spawn" he was called by many men, but his
master, Black Leclere, chose for him the shameful name
"Batard." Now Black Leclere was also a devil, and the twain
were well matched. There is a saying that when two devils come
together, hell is to pay. This is to be expected, and this
certainly was to be expected when Batard and Black Leclere came
together. The first time they met, Batard was a part-grown
puppy, lean and hungry, with bitter eyes; and they met with
snap and snarl, and wicked looks, for Leclere's upper lip had a
wolfish way of lifting and showing the white, cruel teeth. And
it lifted then, and his eyes glinted viciously, as he reached
for Batard and dragged him out from the squirming litter. It
was certain that they divined each other, for on the instant
Batard had buried his puppy fangs in Leclere's hand, and
Leclere, thumb and finger, was coolly choking his young life
out of him.