elp. There, put your head
on my arm." He groaned with pain. "No, the other one." So he talked to
her, as to a child, as the wounded boy and the wounded sheep slowly
made their way up the steep hillside and over the rough rocks. It was
not a long way, and, half an hour before, the sturdy shepherd lad
would have bounded over it quickly enough. But now the wounded leg was
slow, the wounded arm was weak, and the wounded lamb seemed very
heavy. It was a weary journey, with many stops. When at last they
reached the flock, still huddled trembling together, Dahvid had only
strength to give one reassuring "Hoo-o-o, ta-a-a," then fell
exhausted.

How long he lay there he did not know, but the dawn was growing
bright when three men appeared from the direction of the town. It was
not the shepherds, but old Abraham and two of his servants. As the old
man caught sight of his flock, but he saw no shepherd, he raged with
anger. "Dahvid!" he shouted fiercely. "Dahvid!" There was no answer.

"The young vagabond! He has left the sheep. Of great worth are his
promises! He would keep my flock. 'Come life--come death!' Dahvid! Let
me once find him and I will give him something he will remember longer
than he does his vows."

As he drew near the flock he discovered the boy lying on the ground.
"Ah, asleep is he? and the sun this high! Come, get up!" he shouted
fiercely, and lifted his staff to strike. But, as he did so he caught
sight of the white face and the bleeding arm, and noticed the wounded
sheep. Old Abraham dropped his angry arm, and there was a touch of
tenderness that was strange to him, as he continued: "Ah, Dahvid, boy!
You did not forget your promises; did you, Dahvid? And I would have
struck you! Forgive me, my lad." Then, turning to his servants, he
gave them command: "Take him to the inn and bid them care for him. I,
myself, will keep the flock today."

The servants bowed low, "The inn is full, my lord."

Old Abraham commanded again positively, "Take him to the inn, I say."

"But the inn is full, my lord," replied the older servant, trembling.

Then the other servant spoke, "There is perhaps room in the stable, my
lord."

"Then bear him thither, and bid them give him the best of care. Go at
once."

So the servants bore Dahvid away, still unconscious from his wounds
and made him comfortable on a bed of straw in the stable of the inn.

It was some hours before he came to himself. When at last he opened
his eyes, an