"Ah, asleep is he? and the sun this high! Come, get up!" he shouted
fiercely, and lifted his staff to strike. But, as he did so he caught
sight of the white face and the bleeding arm, and noticed the wounded
sheep. Old Abraham dropped his angry arm, and there was a touch of
tenderness that was strange to him, as he continued: "Ah, Dahvid, boy!
You did not forget your promises; did you, Dahvid? And I would have
struck you! Forgive me, my lad." Then, turning to his servants, he
gave them command: "Take him to the inn and bid them care for him. I,
myself, will keep the flock today."
The servants bowed low, "The inn is full, my lord."
Old Abraham commanded again positively, "Take him to the inn, I say."
"But the inn is full, my lord," replied the older servant, trembling.
Then the other servant spoke, "There is perhaps room in the stable, my
lord."
"Then bear him thither, and bid them give him the best of care. Go at
once."
So the servants bore Dahvid away, still unconscious from his wounds
and made him comfortable on a bed of straw in the stable of the inn.
It was some hours before he came to himself. When at last he opened
his eyes, and his ears began to catch once more the sounds about him,
the first thing he heard was a faint cry.
"What is that?" he asked eagerly of Samuel, who was watching beside
him.
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