The Eskdale Herd-boy | Page 7

extremely beautiful, amongst natural
woods, varied hills, and bold rocks, over which the burn kept
continually pouring, with a loud but pleasing noise. A wooden bridge,
which might, indeed, more properly be called a plank, was thrown
across the burn at the narrowest part, and rested upon the rock on each
side, a little above which stood the remains of an old watch-tower.
Altogether the scene was so beautiful, that, whilst Helen dismounted,
and John endeavoured to coax Bob across the bridge, Mr. Martin took
out his sketch-book and made a drawing of it.
When they had crossed to the other side, the road took a winding turn
amongst the hills; and their minds were so impressed with the grandeur
of the scenery, that, from the time they quitted the bridge, they ceased
speaking; only pointing out to each other, as they advanced, any new
beauty that suddenly presented itself. The cottage was built about half a
mile above the bridge, on a shelving bank, which they could only reach
by ascending a little path with steps cut in the rock. At the bottom of

these rude stairs Mr. Martin desired John to fasten Bob to the stump of
an old tree, which grew conveniently near it. When they reached the
top of this ascent, they found a small clay-built hut, thatched with furze,
erected close under the shelter of an immense rock, which hung with
frowning grandeur over it, and seemed to threaten to crush it and its
inhabitants to pieces. About a hundred square yards of ground were
cleared from the surrounding brushwood, part of which David had
cultivated, as a little garden, and had planted it with vegetables, as an
assistance in the support of his family. The rest formed a pasture, in the
middle of which was feeding a goat, confined from ranging far by a
cord fastened to one of its feet, and tied to a piece of wood driven into
the ground.
On Mr. Martin's appearance, the shepherd's dog set up a loud and shrill
bark. Two or three ragged children ran into the house, calling out, that
"the Minister was come," (the name which the Scottish clergy generally
receive from their parishioners). On hearing this joyful information,
their mother soon appeared, and having obtained silence, both from the
dog and the children, proceeded to welcome her visitors in the most
hospitable manner, assuring Mr. Martin that her husband had greatly
desired this favour. She added, that the surgeon had seen him that
morning, and had assured her that, could he refrain from fretting, and
be left undisturbed, he did not doubt of David's being able to walk in a
few months as well as ever. "That, I fear," continued she, "is next to
impossible; for when he sees his dear little children going without their
usual food, which they are now obliged to do, as I cannot get more for
my work than will supply them with one good meal a day, he must fret
and regret his being laid aside, and prevented from going to the hill to
earn their suppers for them. However, Sir, I am glad that you are come,
for I am sure a word from you will comfort him, and make him easier
than he has been since he met with this unlucky accident." Mr. Martin
immediately went into the hut, desiring his daughter and John to wait
for him on the outside.
While the worthy clergyman was with David, Helen remained talking
with his wife. The children were so shy, that they could not be
prevailed on to come forward and speak to her, but stood wrapping
their little heads up in the corner of their mother's apron, taking a sly
peep at the strangers, when they thought they were not observed. Helen

at last recollected her basket, and asked John to give it to her. As soon
as she began to unfold the snow-white napkin in which her present was
wrapped, the little heads gradually approached nearer and nearer to the
basket; and when Helen took out a few cakes of _parliament_(a kind of
gingerbread very common in Scotland), and gave each of them one, the
little creatures began jumping, shouting, and clapping their hands with
delight. She then presented to their mother a loaf of bread and a bottle
of currant wine, which last, she said, she was desired to tell her was for
herself, as wine was not good for David. "No, no, Miss Helen," said
Mrs. Little, "that will never do. I cannot think of drinking our good
madam's wine myself, I assure you; I will just put it by the spence,
(spence means _cupboard_) till David is beginning to get about again,
and then I think it will help to strengthen him." "Do what