CHAPTER THIRTY.
DIRK MAKES HIMSELF USEFUL.
The stars were twinkling brightly when Max Blande looked at them again,and for some time there was nothing else but stars.
But they were above him, and, as he looked up at them, they looked downat him.
He felt that it was very cold, but it did not seem to matter, so long ashe could lie still there in bed with the window wide open, looking atthe stars; but by degrees he became conscious that his legs ached andhis arms felt sore, and the idea struck him that he should be much morecomfortable if he got up and shut the window, for it was very cold.
It was a long time before he made the effort to do this, and when hedid, a curious aching pain shot through him, and in a flash he knew thathe was not at Dunroe, but lying there somewhere in the mountains on thewet grass, and he remembered all he had gone through.
He lay piecing it all together, and involuntarily his hand went to hispockets, to find watch, chain, purse, pocket-book, all there safely, andthat he was unhurt.
Was it all a dream?
No; he felt that it was real enough, and that he must not lie there, butrise once more, and try hard, and, he hoped, with better fortune, tofind some place where he could obtain shelter.
Making an effort which cost him no little pain, he turned over andstruggled to his knees, but only to sink down again, feeling absolutelyhelpless, and ready to declare to himself that, come what might, hecould not stir till morning, even if he were able then.
Looking helplessly about him, it was to see that the night wasbrilliantly clear, and that there was a gleam of water somewhere downfar below on his right, for the stars were reflected from it. But itseemed more restful to lie there waiting, and, cold as he was, it was adull, numbing cold that was far less painful than trying to move.
All at once he shivered with dread, for there was a rushing sound as ofsome creatures galloping, and he could hear faint snortings and thepanting of heavy breath.
Some herd of wild animals had gone by. It could not be sheep, for themovement was too swift; but once more all was silent, and he was sinkinginto a half-drowsy condition, more resembling the approach of stuporthan sleep, when he started back into wakefulness, for he heard in thedistance the sharp barking of a dog.
This died away, grew louder, died away again, and then seemed to becoming steadily nearer and nearer, but, as it approached, so did thestupefying sensation, till the barking died right away; the stars wereagain blotted out, and Max knew no more till he started to himself againin alarm, as the cold, wet nose of a dog was touching his face. Therewas a quick snuffling about him, and then there was a loud burst ofbarking, and he felt that the dog who barked was standing with hisforepaws on his chest. "Dirk," he said feebly; "is it you, Dirk?" Thedog gave a whining cry, licked at his face, and then barked again withall his might.
Then there was silence, and from out of the distant darkness came a lowhail.
The dog barked again sharply, and stopped, when there was the hail againmore loudly, and this was repeated at intervals as the dog scuffledabout, running a little way to bark, and then coming, back to plant hispaws on Max's chest.
All this now seemed part of a dream, till he was roused again by hearinga panting sound, feeling his hand seized, and then hearing a familiarvoice shout,--
"Father, ahoy! Tavvy, ahoy! Here he is!" and, as the dog whined andbarked again, there were faint hails from the distance. Then these grewlouder, and the next thing Max heard was,--
"Oh, Maxy, old lad!" and a warm hand was laid upon his brow.
Then there was more hailing, and barking, and an impatient muttering,and then there were deeper voices talking close by where he lay, and, asif in part of his dream, something hot and strangling seemed to betrickling down his throat.
"There," said a deep voice which seemed very familiar, "she'll ket theplaidie round the laddie when she's cot her on her pack, and that and tawhusky'll warm her."
"I'll carry him when you are tired, Tavish," said another familiarvoice.
"She can carry ta puir laddie all tay an' all nicht. Maister Ken, titye iver see a tog wi' a petter nose than Dirk?"
"No, Tavvy; but do make haste."
"Ay, laddie; but bide a wee, till she cot her well upo' her shouthers.There. Noo, ta plaidie. Noo then, we can get there in twice twa hoors.She'll go first."
"Oh, father, are we too late?" came then in a whisper to Max's ears, ashe felt himself being once more carried.
"Please God, no, my boy!" came back hoarsely.
Then there was another loud and joyful burst of barking, and then allblank.