[Illustration]
Reasoning that a child can tell you when he is in pain and where the
pain is, but an animal can not, Turgen watched intently to make sure
that Lad ate and drank as he should and regularly fulfilled the demands
of nature. By this time he was fully assured that the lamb did not
suffer internal injuries. It was a pleasant duty Turgen performed,
making certain that this wild young thing survived its mishap, and when
occasionally he saw the old ram scrutinizing him inquisitively from the
mountainside he thought that the Great Spirit himself might be keeping
just as watchful an eye on him. “To see that I carry out His wishes.”
Does it seem strange that the old ram and the Great Spirit of Turgen’s
dream appeared to him sometimes as one and the same person? It was not
strange to Turgen, who believed quite simply that the Great Spirit was
everywhere at all times. “Only man is too busy during the day to visit
with Him. Therefore He comes at night to call bringing new faith and
strength.” Surely He was powerful enough to take the shape of a ram if
He so desired.
Such thoughts comforted Turgen and softened his dread of having to part
with Lad.
With freedom to move about, young Lad joyfully took over the yurta.
Each day he became more attached to Turgen, following at his heels like
a dog as he went about his chores. The clearing outside the yurta he
also considered to be his special province and he made no move to run
away even when he was once allowed to go without collar or leash.
His eyes questioned sometimes when the day was clear and the breeze
fresh off the hills: “Tell me--what of my family?” And at such times
Turgen answered: “They are well, believe me. And you are remembered. I
see the old ram often. When you return you must assure him that I was
good to you.” When Lad shook his head, pirouetted and leaped for glee,
Turgen took his antics to mean: “Ay--I certainly will.”
It was one day when Lad was frolicking in the clearing and dancing
on his hind legs that the drunkard Nikita happened along and saw
him. Mistaking the lamb for the devil, Nikita fled shouting down the
mountain while Lad, equally alarmed by the strange voice, rushed to
Turgen for protection.
Turgen guessed the cause of Nikita’s terror. “What a fool!” he remarked
to the flying figure. “Now he will spread more lies about me. But what
can one do? To shoot at a rock is but a waste of arrows.”
That same evening Marfa reported the excitement in the valley when
Nikita spread the news of what he had seen. “He was like a madman,”
she said sharply, “shouting that he saw you at play with the devil and
the devil must be killed. When I noticed people listening to him, I
gave them a piece of my mind. I told them what they already knew if
their heads were not stuffed with hay--that there isn’t a better man
among them than you. No, nor a better hunter or fisherman. They are
envious--that is all. So they believe an idler whose words are worth
nothing. With his drunken eyes he saw a wild ram. Tphoo! Of course he
lied.”
Tim and Aksa looked at their mother in amazement. This was not the
gentle woman they knew.
Turgen shook his head regretfully. “Thank you, Marfa, but you shouldn’t
fret yourself so. Remember that dry mud won’t stick to a wall. And to
listen to gossip is like bailing out water with a sieve. It is true
that Nikita saw a wild ram lamb with me. Not a full grown ram but a
lamb which fell from a cliff and was injured. Since I have been caring
for him he has become almost tame. That is all. There is no sorcery
about it. Perhaps I should have told you. But as you know, I am not
much of a talker.”
Tim and Aksa listened, their eyes burning with curiosity and
excitement. They were afraid to ask questions before their mother’s
anger had cooled.
Marfa herself was surprised by what Turgen told her, but after a
moment’s thought she declared vehemently, “Well, what’s so remarkable
about your caring for a poor little lamb? The fools might better wonder
at your kindness and your skill than spread these silly stories. And I
shall tell them so.”
Marfa shook her fist as warning to those “dumb ones.” Then to the
children’s delight she asked Turgen to stay for a cup of tea. Now they
would hear more about Turgen’s surprising guest. A mountain lamb!
Surely this was the finest of all possible treasures. But to their
disappointment Turgen was not in a mood to talk, and in fear of their
mother they held their itching tongues.