Dick waited no longer, but as fast as his long legs could carry him he made his way down to the valley and soon discovered the interval where the flock had disappeared. There in a sheltered warm spot he discovered the flock feeding, and beside them, watching and waiting patiently, a tired disconsolate-looking dog. Dick had come upon them so quietly that Silversheene did not at first see him. His head was down, and he looked very tired and even at that distance Richard could see that he looked haggard and old.
Then he sprang forward with a glad shout and the dog sprang up with an angry snarl and was immediately on guard. But when he discovered who the intruder was he flung himself joyously on his young master, while Dick hugged the brave dog as he would have a brother. Then he noticed that Silversheene was very gaunt.
He did not look as though he had eaten for weeks. When Dick finally set him down he staggered and nearly fell, and a
