the sheep of Lyndardy; for what should take
them into that forbidden pasture?

And yet their number was remarkable. Yes, there were our twenty
sheep, with our big cheviot in their midst, coolly enjoying
themselves in the fine clover grass that Carver was jealously
reserving for the benefit of his own ewes. Without waiting to
explain to herself the meaning of what she saw, or the reason of my
being away from the sheep, Jessie hastened towards the clover
field. As she approached, however, something occurred that made her
run with all speed.

Suddenly there was a commotion among the sheep and a noisy barking,
for in their midst was Tom Kinlay with his great retriever dog. He
chased the sheep into a corner of the enclosure, and proceeded to
belabour them with a heavy stick. The cheviot, however, bolder than
Tom had supposed, turned at bay, made a heavy rush at him, and
butting him aside bounded over the low wall, followed by all the
flock.

Tom was soon on his feet, and with his dog he gave chase. One of
the small Shetland ewes was overtaken, and disabled by a knock on
the head. The other animals, led by the cheviot, were running madly
towards the cliffs when Jessie, arriving on the scene, attempted to
intercept them. But the dog was fleet of foot, and, encouraged by
Tom's cries of "After them, good dog, after them!" continued the
pursuit with high enjoyment.

The cheviot, with the stupidity of its kind, saw not the danger to
which it was hastening. Panic stricken, it rushed towards a part of
the cliffs known as the Lyre Geo, and no efforts of Jessie could
divert its onward career.

When Kinlay became conscious of what he had done he called back his
dog. But as he watched the sheep bounding and leaping on in their
mad course his apprehensions gave place to merriment; and when the
cheviot, with a high spring into the air, went headlong over the
precipice, followed by the smaller sheep, he burst forth into a fit
of laughter loud and uncontrolled.

"You great brute, Tom Kinlay!" exclaimed Jessie indignantly; "if
Halcro had been here you would not have done this cruel thing."

"Well," said Tom, "what for did the sheep go into our field, eating
up all the clover? Halcro should have been minding them. It serves
you right that the sheep have gone over the bank."

This, and more that I know not of, was said between them. But
Jessie wasted no time in dispute. Her concern for the poor sheep
was too great for idle discussi