CHAPTER 21

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Resolutely Turgen set off for the feeding ground with a bundle of hay slung over his shoulder and the lamb skipping along by his side. They might have been out for one of their usual walks. But as they approached the clearing Turgen noted how the lamb hesitated and looked about him expectantly.

“Something tells him that he has been in this place before,” thought Turgen. The thought made him happy and filled him with inner peace....

Suddenly Lad turned sharply and sang out in his youthful voice--“Ma-a, Ma-a.”

In reply came the same call, but more strongly and Turgen, searching the cliffs, saw the old ram standing in his full magnificence as if frozen to the rocky promontory. There was amazement in the look he directed at the man and the returned lamb.

Turgen shouted: “Come, old man. Come here and accept your son. You see, I did bring him back to you. As you can see, he is well and happy.”

In answer, the ram raised his head and sent a bellow--“Ma-a, ma-a”--echoing around the hills. Joy, surprise, and anxiety were in his voice, Turgen understood. For how could this savage be expected to trust his old enemy man?

While the ram stood there irresolute, not quite able to believe his eyes, Lad whirled in a frenzy of excitement and started toward the cliff. Memory guided him and he ran along the same stone bridge from which he had fallen. But Turgen had no fear for him now. “Take care of yourself, Lad,” he called. “Good-by, my dear!”

Upon hearing his voice the lamb stopped briefly to send back an affectionate--“Ma-a, ma-a.” It was both “Good-by” and “Thank you.” With that he disappeared around a bend.

For a moment both rams were lost to view. Then they reappeared on the cliff together--the old fellow and the youngster who was so like him.

Turgen greeted them joyfully: “I can see that you are glad to have Lad back and safe. He will tell you that people are not all evil.”

The rams answered him in soft chorus, and vanished. But they would return--again and again. Of that Turgen was certain. There was a pact between them now that could not be broken. Turgen would feed the family and protect them from hunters. The old ram, so wise and strong, would guard the herd against other enemies such as wolves and bears.

“Until some day Lad grows up and takes his place as leader,” Turgen promised. He was confident that he could foretell this much of the future.

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