of sheep!

At sight of these last he started to his feet, and set off up the
hill. It was not so hard a struggle as to cross the water, but he
had still to get to the other side of several torrents far more
dangerous than any current he had been in. Again and again he had
to ascend a long distance before he found a possible place to cross
at; but he reached the fold at last.

It was in a little valley opening on that where lay the tarn.
Swollen to a lake, the waters of it were now at the very gate of
the pen. For a moment he regretted he had not brought Oscar, but
the next he saw that not much could with any help have been done for
the sheep, beyond what they could, if at liberty, do for themselves.
Left where they were they would probably be drowned; if not they
would be starved; but if he let them go, they would keep out of the
water, and find for themselves what food and shelter were to be had.
He opened the gate, drove them out, and a little way up the hill
and left them.

By this time it was about two o'clock, and Gibbie was very hungry.
He had had enough of the water for one day, however, and was not
inclined to return to the Mains. Where could he get something to
eat? If the cottage were still standing--and it might be--he would
find plenty there. He turned towards it. Great was his pleasure
when, after another long struggle, he perceived that not only was
the cottage there, but the torrent gone: either the flow from the
mountain had ceased, or the course of the water had been diverted.
When he reached the Glashburn, which lay between him and the
cottage, he saw that the torrent had found its way into it, probably
along with others of the same brood, for it was frightfully swollen,
and went shooting down to Glashruach like one long cataract. He had
to go a great way up before he could cross it.

When at length he reached home, he discovered that the overshooting
stream must have turned aside very soon after they left, for the
place was not much worse than then. He swept out the water that lay
on the floor, took the dryest peats he could find, succeeded with
the tinder-box and sulphur-match at the first attempt, lighted a
large fire, and made himself some water-brose--which is not only the
most easily cooked of dishes, but is as good as any for a youth of
capacity for strong food.

His hunger appeased, he sat resting in Robert's chair, gradually
drying; and falling asleep, slept for an hour or so