CHAPTER X. The Intruders

Chapter X: “The Intruders” from *Further Adventures of Lad* narrates an episode where the tranquility of The Place is disturbed by unwanted guests, with Lad, the venerable collie, standing as sentinel. The trouble begins when a pig, belonging to the curmudgeonly farmer Titus Romaine, exploits a gap in the fence to forage on The Place’s land. Lad, who has loyally protected The Place for years, finds himself confronting the intruder. Unlike other animals that stray onto the property, pigs present a unique and perilous challenge due to their vicious nature and resilience. Lad’s past experiences have equipped him with a deep-seated animosity towards pigs, and despite his advanced age and diminished physical capabilities, he resolves to tackle the intrusion head-on.

As the pig embarks on a leisurely devastation of the property, another trespasser, a cunning automobile thief named Alf Dugan, also enters The Place with designs on stealing a car. Unaware of each other, both intruders inadvertently set the stage for a climactic confrontation. When the pig threatens the mistress, Lad, despite his physical limitations, engages in a fierce battle, employing all his waning strength to protect his beloved home and owners.

During this desperate struggle, Lad demonstrates remarkable courage and loyalty, qualities that have defined his guardianship over the years. However, his solitary effort soon proves insufficient against the formidable pig. In a fortunate twist of fate, Lad’s compatriots, Bruce and Wolf, return from their forest ramble just in time to join the fray, turning the tide in favor of The Place’s defenders.

The battle culminates with the Mistress attempting to ward off the pig using a shotgun. Although her efforts are initially ineffective due to the choice of ammunition, the intrusion ends with the pig retreating under the relentless assault of Bruce and Wolf, and a curious twist involving Dugan’s bitter encounter with the same pig leading to his capture.

As the dust settles, the aftermath reveals a wounded but resilient Lad, whose spirits are marred not by his physical injuries but by the perceived slight on his pride and valor. The episode closes on a reflective note, highlighting Lad’s undiminished spirit and underscoring the indomitable bond between him and his human family, even as it wrestles with the inevitable passage of time and the shadow of mortality.