But alas! Halbert was not there. Shag was alone. The old dog entered
the door, and began to whine in a piteous manner.
"O Malcolm, Malcolm, my brave son has perished in the snow!" exclaimed
the mother.
Malcolm stood wondering. His heart beat rapidly. A fear that the worst
had happened almost overcame him. At that moment he saw a small package
around the dog's neck.
Seizing it in his hands, he exclaimed, "No, wife; look! Our boy lives!
Here is the medicine, tied with his handkerchief; he has fallen into one
of the deep ravines, but he is safe.
"I will go out, and Shag shall go with me. He will conduct me safely to
the rescue of my child."
In an instant Shag was again on his feet, and gave evidence of great joy
as he left the cottage with his old master.
You may imagine the misery and grief the poor mother suffered--alone in
her mountain dwelling; the certainty of her son's danger, and the fear
that her husband also might perish.
Shag went on straight and steadily for some distance after he left the
cottage. Suddenly he turned down a path which led to the foot of the
precipice over which Halbert had fallen.
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