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Page 97
Shag trotted along before him to see that all was right. Suddenly,
however, in one of the most dangerous parts of the rocky path, he
stopped and began snuffing and smelling about.
"Go on, Shag," said Halbert.
Shag would not stir.
"Shag, go on, sir," repeated the boy. "We are nearly at the top of the
glen. Look through the dark, and you can see the candle shining through
our window."
Shag disobeyed for the first time in his life, and Halbert advanced
ahead of him, heedless of the warning growl of his companion.
He had proceeded but a few steps when he fell over a precipice, the
approach to which had been concealed by the snow.
It was getting late in the night, and Malcolm began to be alarmed at the
long absence of Halbert. He placed the candle so as to throw the light
over his boy's path, piled wood on the great hearth fire, and often went
to the door.
But no footstep sounded on the crackling ice; no figure darkened the
wide waste of snow.
"Perhaps the doctor is not at home, and he is waiting for him," said
Halbert's mother. She felt so uneasy at her boy's absence, that she
almost forgot her own pain.
It was midnight when Malcolm heard the well-known bark of the faithful
Shag.
"O there is Halbert!" cried both parents at the same moment. Malcolm
sprang to the door and opened it, expecting to see his son.
But alas! Halbert was not there. Shag was alone. The old dog entered
the door, and began to whine in a piteous manner.
"O Malcolm, Malcolm, my brave son has perished in the snow!" exclaimed
the mother.
Malcolm stood wondering. His heart beat rapidly. A fear that the worst
had happened almost overcame him. At that moment he saw a small package
around the dog's neck.
Seizing it in his hands, he exclaimed, "No, wife; look! Our boy lives!
Here is the medicine, tied with his handkerchief; he has fallen into one
of the deep ravines, but he is safe.
"I will go out, and Shag shall go with me. He will conduct me safely to
the rescue of my child."
In an instant Shag was again on his feet, and gave evidence of great joy
as he left the cottage with his old master.
You may imagine the misery and grief the poor mother suffered--alone in
her mountain dwelling; the certainty of her son's danger, and the fear
that her husband also might perish.
Shag went on straight and steadily for some distance after he left the
cottage. Suddenly he turned down a path which led to the foot of the
precipice over which Halbert had fallen.
The descent was steep and dangerous, and Malcolm was frequently obliged
to support himself by clinging to the frozen branches of the trees.
At last Malcolm stood on the lower and opposite edge of the pit into
which his son had fallen. He called to him, "Halbert! Halbert!" He
looked in every direction, but could not see or hear any thing.
Shag was making his way down a very steep and dangerous ledge of rocks,
and Malcolm resolved at all hazards to follow him.
After getting to the bottom, Shag scrambled to a projecting rock, which
was covered with snow, and commenced whining and scratching in a violent
manner.
Malcolm followed, and after some search found what appeared to be the
dead body of his son. He hastily tore off the jacket, which was soaked
with blood and snow, and wrapping Halbert in his great cloak, took him
upon his shoulders, and with much toil and difficulty reached the path
again, and soon had his boy at home.
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