Then off you go,€ said the Colonel. But first, our cows have asked you in to have a drink with them.

He led Pongo, Missis, and all the pups into the dim cowshed, where the hay still smelled of summer weather. The head cows, Blossom and Clover, were waiting to welcome them and tell them how to drink at the milk bar. The pups found this easy, especially those who could remember being fed by their mothers though the smaller pups had to stand on their hind legs and be supported by other pups. The long, warm drink of milk made a splendid breakfast.

At last, after all their kind hostesses had been thanked, it was time to start.

Tommy stood at his window, peering into the moonlight, watching the march-past. Pongo and Missis wrinkled their noses at him in their best smile; every pup turned its head except the Cadpig, who lay on her back in the hay-filled cart and waved all her four paws.

Pongo said to Missis, How different Tommy is from the bad little boy who threw a stone at us.€

Missis said, The bad little boy was only bad because he had never known dogs. And she was probably right.

The Colonel took them to the crossroads and started them on their way.

I wish I could come with you, but I’ve a job to do,€ he said. Then he and the cat, who was riding on his back, said good-bye hastily and went off so fast that Pongo had to bark his thanks after them. The Colonel barked back that Sergeant-Major Lucky could now be a Lieutenant, then galloped away. Pongo stared in astonishment, wondering what job had to be done in such a hurry. It was a long time before he learned the truth.

The Colonel had just been informed by Lieutenant Willow that the Baddun brothers, having failed to find the puppies on the heath, were now on the outskirts of the village, less than half a mile behind the Dalmatians. He could think of only one thing to do, and he set out to do it with great pleasure.

He galloped until he saw the Badduns' lanterns ahead of him. Then he told the cat to get off his back. The minute she was off, he hurled himself at the Badduns and bit both brothers in both legs. Seldom can four legs have been bitten so fast by one dog. The Badduns howled with rage, fear, and pain, dropped their lanterns, and limped back to Hell Hall as quickly as possible. (It is difficult to limp well when you are lame in both legs). They never knew what bit them. They only knew it bit hard.

Good work, Colonel,€ said Lieutenant Willow.

I’m promoting you to Captain,€ said the Sheepdog. Then he gave a modest little cough and added, Oh, by the way! I’ve just made myself a Brigadier-General.

Christmas Eve