The Defender by Nicholas Kalashnikoff

Author:Nicholas Kalashnikoff
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Dover Publications
Published: 2017-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

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.

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