[Illustration]
It was several days before Turgen found time to return to the feeding
ground with hay for the rams. It troubled him that he had neglected
them, but in honesty he had to admit that with Lad for company he did
not think so often of the others. He wondered whether he would miss
them greatly should they abandon their mountain--providing, of course,
they left Lad behind.
“But that is a dreadful thought,” he reproached himself the next
instant. “How could I take advantage of them by robbing them of their
young one? No, no, I will return him to his family.”
It crossed his mind also that the Great Spirit would be angry if he
betrayed his trust.
Again the only ram he could see was the leader standing on a rocky
ledge above him. Turgen imagined that the old fellow was questioning
him as their glances met. Impulsively he shouted: “It’s all right, my
friend. The lad is doing well and I will bring him back to you myself
in a couple of weeks.”
To his pleasure the ram did not shy from his voice but seemed to wait
for further news of the lost one.
“He knows me. He knows me, and he is not afraid,” Turgen gloated. The
rams would stay now, he was sure.
Returning home, he was still some distance from the yurta when he heard
Lad calling “Ma-a! Ma-a!” Just inside the door the lamb was waiting
with eyes which said accusingly, “You stayed away a long time. Why? I’m
lonesome and I’m hungry.”
Not a movement escaped the sharp young eyes as Turgen busied himself
preparing food, and everywhere Turgen went Lad came clumping behind
him. There was no doubt he had been alarmed by Turgen’s absence and
welcomed him home.
“Eh, my darling, you are very clever,” Turgen complimented him. And to
test him further he called the little savage by name: “Lad, Lad.”
Lad cocked his head attentively, which was the only sign Turgen needed
that they understood each other well.
A few days later Turgen examined the lamb’s injuries to satisfy himself
that the dislocation was mending properly and there was no infection,
but it was a week or more before he decided that it was safe to
remove the splints. Lad was at first bewildered, then surprised,
then delighted. He leaped on the bed and down again. He pranced and
pirouetted. But when Turgen later took him for a walk he showed no
desire to run away. He was happy with the day which was as perfect as
September sometimes brings to the Far North. He was happy with the
limited freedom he was permitted on the end of his leash. Joyously he
danced and flung himself into the air, lowered his head to the ground
and kicked his legs high. And when he had had his fill he came to
Turgen of his own accord singing “Ma-a, Ma-a ...” in a voice warm with
contentment.
Gladly this time he followed Turgen back to the yurta, and entered as
if the place belonged to him. A little later, having finished a hearty
meal, he folded his legs under him and fell sound asleep. Just like any
healthy infant, thought Turgen with pride.