Melodies and memories

BENTYBRAE SKETCHES. 163
hollows explored, and a watchful eye directed to every
separate group of sheep on the moors. A shepherd pretty
soon knows if one of his flock is in a drooping state, or if
those autumn pests, the blue flies, have deposited their
deadly eggs, which so soon become ravening maggots. It
is less pain to find a sheep drowned in a morass than to
discover one hiding itself in an obscure corner, while being
eaten alive by myriads of maggots. There are other
ailments that cause the diligent shepherd anxiety and close
attention, so that he must always be reviewing his charge,
and shielding them from possible dangers.
Early every morning, summer and winter, Geordie
Broon was out and away to the hills where his sheep had
been sleeping overnight. Not that he needed to waken the
" woolies," but to see if they had all been able to begin
their regular fore-day descent to the lower end of their
"gang" near Drumley Water. Slowly they went down-
ward, grazing by the way, and usually about the height of
the day they headed around, in the same leisurely manner
returning to the higher, drier ground where they passed
the night. While the author was quite young and inex-
perienced in weather signs and other things, he heard
Geordie tell that his sheep knew well when an afternoon
storm was coming. From long observation, he had become
aware that the wise, old, black-faced ewes had some faculty
that discerned impending weather changes. The proof of the
matter was as follows : — Occasionally on a fine-looking day
the sheep would unaccountably turn mid-way in their
downward progress, and, nibbling as they went, return to
their night ground. As a rule the wisdom of their conduct
was manifested by a breakdown of the good weather con-
ditions, and the sheep were spared some hours walking
under difficulties.
The true shepherd loves his sheep, and studies those
things that tend to their comfort, safety, and well-being.