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about the farm。 And he would take three or four tellings before he
would go。 When we were sent to school； it was all the same。 He
could never be made to remember his lessons； the school…master grew
weary of scolding and flogging； and at last advised my father just to
take him away； and set him to some farm…work that might not be above
his comprehension。 I think he was more gloomy and stupid than ever
after this； yet he was not a cross lad； he was patient and good…
natured； and would try to do a kind turn for any one； even if they
had been scolding or cuffing him not a minute before。 But very often
his attempts at kindness ended in some mischief to the very people he
was trying to serve； owing to his awkward； ungainly ways。 I suppose
I was a clever lad； at any rate； I always got plenty of praise； and
was； as we called it； the cock of the school。 The schoolmaster said
I could learn anything I chose； but my father； who had no great
learning himself； saw little use in much for me； and took me away
betimes； and kept me with him about the farm。 Gregory was made into
a kind of shepherd； receiving his training under old Adam； who was
nearly past his work。 I think old Adam was almost the first person
who had a good opinion of Gregory。 He stood to it that my brother
had good parts； though he did not rightly know how to bring them out；
and； for knowing the bearings of the Fells； he said he had never seen
a lad like him。 My father would try to bring Adam round to speak of
Gregory's faults and shortcomings； but； instead of that； he would
praise him twice as much； as soon as he found out what was my
father's object。
One winter…time； when I was about sixteen； and Gregory nineteen； I
was sent by my father on an errand to a place about seven miles
distant by the road； but only about four by the Fells。 He bade me
return by the road； whichever way I took in going； for the evenings
closed in early； and were often thick and misty； besides which； old
Adam； now paralytic and bedridden； foretold a downfall of snow before
long。 I soon got to my journey's end； and soon had done my business；
earlier by an hour； I thought； than my father had expected； so I took
the decision of the way by which I would return into my own hands；
and set off back again over the Fells； just as the first shades of
evening began to fall。 It looked dark and gloomy enough； but
everything was so still that I thought I should have plenty of time
to get home before the snow came down。 Off I set at a pretty quick
pace。 But night came on quicker。 The right path was clear enough in
the day…time； although at several points two or three exactly similar
diverged from the same place； but when there was a good light； the
traveller was guided by the sight of distant objects；a piece of
rock；a fall in the groundwhich were quite invisible to me now。 I
plucked up a brave heart； however； and took what seemed to me the
right road。 It was wrong； nevertheless； and led me whither I knew
not； but to some wild boggy moor where the solitude seemed painful；
intense； as if never footfall of man had come thither to break the
silence。 I tried to shoutwith the dimmest possible hope of being
heardrather to reassure myself by the sound of my own voice； but my
voice came husky and short； and yet it dismayed me； it seemed so
weird and strange； in that noiseless expanse of black darkness。
Suddenly the air was filled thick with dusky flakes； my face and
hands were wet with snow。 It cut me off from the slightest knowledge
of where I was； for I lost every idea of the direction from which I
had come； so that I could not even retrace my steps； it hemmed me in；
thicker； thicker； with a darkness that might be felt。 The boggy soil
on which I stood quaked under me if I remained long in one place； and
yet I dared not move far。 All my youthful hardiness seemed to leave
me at once。 I was on the point of crying； and only very shame seemed
to keep it down。 To save myself from shedding tears； I shouted
terrible； wild shouts for bare life they were。 I turned sick as I
paused to listen； no answering sound came but the unfeeling echoes。
Only the noiseless； pitiless snow kept falling thicker； thicker
faster； faster！ I was growing numb and sleepy。 I tried to move
about； but I dared not go far； for fear of the precipices which； I
knew； abounded in certain places on the Fells。 Now and then； I stood
still and shouted again； but my voice was getting choked with tears；
as I thought of the desolate helpless death I was to die； and how
little they at home； sitting round the warm； red； bright fire； wotted
what was become of me；and how my poor father would grieve for me
it would surely kill himit would break his heart； poor old man！
Aunt Fanny toowas this to be the end of all her cares for me？ I
began to review my life in a strange kind of vivid dream； in which
the various scenes of my few boyish years passed before me like
visions。 In a pang of agony； caused by such remembrance of my short
life； I gathered up my strength and called out once more； a long；
despairing； wailing cry； to which I had no hope of obtaining any
answer； save from the echoes around； dulled as the sound might be by
the thickened air。 To my surprise I heard a cryalmost as long； as
wild as mineso wild that it seemed unearthly； and I almost thought
it must be the voice of some of the mocking spirits of the Fells；
about whom I had heard so many tales。 My heart suddenly began to
beat fast and loud。 I could not reply for a minute or two。 I nearly
fancied I had lost the power of utterance。 Just at this moment a dog
barked。 Was it Lassie's barkmy brother's collie？an ugly enough
brute； with a white； ill…looking face； that my father always kicked
whenever he saw it； partly for its own demerits； partly because it
belonged to my brother。 On such occasions； Gregory would whistle
Lassie away； and go off and sit with her in some outhouse。 My father
had once or twice been ashamed of himself； when the poor collie had
yowled out with the suddenness of the pain； and had relieved himself
of his self…reproach by blaming my brother； who； he said； had no
notion of training a dog； and was enough to ruin any collie in
Christendom with his stupid way of allowing them to lie by the
kitchen fire。 To all which Gregory would answer nothing； nor even
seem to hear； but go on looking absent and moody。
Yes！ there again！ It was Lassie's bark！ Now or never！ I lifted up
my voice and shouted 〃Lassie！ Lassie！ for God's sake； Lassie！〃
Another moment； and the great white…faced Lassie was curving and
gambolling with delight round my feet and legs； looking； however； up
in my face with her intelligent； apprehensive eyes； as if fearing
lest I might greet her with a blow； as I had done oftentimes before。
But I cried with gladness； as I stooped down and patted her。 My mind
was sharing in my body's weakness； and I could not reason； but I knew
that help was at h