One evening Halbert's mother was taken very ill, and Malcolm made
preparations to go to the village to obtain some medicine for her.
"Father," said Halbert, "I know the path through the dark glen better
than you. Shag will walk before me, and I will be quite safe. Let me go
for the doctor, and you stay at home and comfort mother."
Old Shag, the dog, stood by, wagging his tail and looking up into
Malcolm's face as if to say, "Yes, master, I will take good care of
Halbert. Let him go."
Malcolm did not like to have his boy undertake a journey of so much
peril, as the snow was falling in heavy flakes, and it was growing very
dark. But the boy again repeated his request, and Malcolm gave his
consent.
Halbert had been accustomed to the mountains from his earliest boyhood,
and Shag set out with his young master, not seeming to care for wind,
snow, or storm.
They reached the village safely. Halbert saw the doctor, received some
medicine for his mother, and then started on his return home with a
cheerful heart.
Shag trotted along before him to see that all was right. Suddenly,
however, in one of the most dangerous parts of the rocky path, he
stopped and began snuffing and smelling about.
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