Now Juno was an animal of the dog kind, belonging to Robert Brace. She had the nose and the legs of a bull-dog, but was not by any means thorough-bred, and her behaviour was worse than her breed. She was a great favourite with her master, who ostensibly kept her chained in his back-yard for the protection of his house and property. But she was not by any means popular with the rising generation. For she was given to biting, with or without provocation, and every now and then she got loose--upon sundry of which occasions she had bitten boys. Complaint had been made to her owner, but without avail; for he only professed great concern, and promised she should not get loose again, which promise had been repeatedly broken. Various vows of vengeance had been made, and forgotten. But now Alec Forbes had taken up the cause of humanity and justice: for the brute had bitten Annie, and _she_ could have given no provocation. It was soon understood throughout the school that war was to be made upon Juno, and that every able-bodied boy must be ready when called out by the General. The minute they were dismissed, which, at this season of the year, took place at three o'clock, no interval being given for dinner, because there was hardly any afternoon, the boys gathered in a knot at the door. "What are ye gaein' to do, General?" asked one. "Kill her," answered Alec. "What way?" "Stane her to death, loons, like the man 'at brak the Sabbath." "Broken banes for broken skins--eh? Ay!" "The damned ill-faured brute, to bite Annie Anderson!" "But there's nae stanes to be gotten i' the snaw, General," said Cadger. "Ye gomeril! Ye'll get mair stanes nor ye'll carry, I doobt, up o' the side o' the toll-road yonner. Naething like road-metal!" A confused chorus of suggestions and exclamations now arose, in the midst of which Willie Macwha, whose cognomen was Curly-pow, came up. He was not often the last in a conspiracy. His arrival had for the moment a sedative effect. "Here's Curly! Here's Curly!" "Weel, is't a' sattled?" asked he. "She's condemned, but no execute yet," said Grumpie. "Hoo are we to win at her?" asked Cadger. "That's jist the pint," said Divot. "We canna weel kill her in her ain yard," suggested Houghie. "Na. We maun bide our time, an' tak her when she's oot aboot," said the General. "But wha's to ken that? an' hoo are we to gather?" asked Cadger, who seemed both of a practical and a despondent turn of mind. "Noo, jist haud yer tongues, an' hearken to me," said Alec. The excited assembly was instantly silent. "The first thing," began Alec, "is to store plenty o' ammunition." "Ay, ay, General." "Haud yer tongues.--Whaur had we best stow the stanes, Curly?" "In oor yard. They'll never be noticed there."