Work Text:
The herd milled about the watering trough. There was only a trickle at the bottom.
Curley sniffed at it and then leapt backwards skittishly. His thin legs wobbled under him.
‘Watch out,’ Ray said affectionately. He gently butted the lamb to the side. He had never seen such curly wool on a yearling.
Harkness called out nervously. ‘The Farmer is coming!’
All the members of the herd looked up hopefully. Perhaps the Farmer would turn a tap to give them more water.
Instead, he whistled and his black dog Major slunk into the field.
Ray was afraid of Major; he was so big and snarled. Sometimes he bit sheep who did not move as fast as he wanted. Ray moved closer to his buddy Pete.
The sheep began to move away from Major, through the gate. They were going on a Long Drove.
&&&
It felt like they had walked a long, long way. The Farmer was striding ahead, with the herd spread out behind him. Major patrolled at the back, snapping at any sheep who dared to stop for a mouthful of browse.
Ray saw that Curley’s little legs were staggering. He was walking with his friend Rank, and both of them had to take three or four steps to cover the same distance that the others made with a single step.
Stebbins, the prize Merino, stepped over a rock, but poor Curley had to clamber slowly over it.
‘Keep up!’ Barkovitch said. He jumped up onto the rock and capered on his back legs. He was much more sprightly than any other sheep Ray knew.
‘I’m tired,’ whispered Curley.
‘Then hitch a ride, kid,’ said Barkovitch. He leapt onto Art’s back for a moment, til Art bucked him off.
‘I’ll give you a lift,’ Ray said, ‘Come on, young un.’
‘I can’t jump that high,’ Curley said. ‘I can’t get on.’
Ray looked at Major who was snarling at Hank.
‘Quick!’ Ray sat down abruptly and let Curley climb onto his back.
He stood up again, as Major ran over behind him. Ray trotted to catch up with the rest of the herd.
‘Thank you,’ Curley whispered.
Pete looked over at Rank who was also so young and thin-legged. ‘Here, little one, get on!’
Rank climbed onto Pete’s back and gently held onto his black wool.
‘Ride em!’ Barkovitch laughed. He ran up to the front of the herd, butting Collie as went past.
Ray and Pete walked companionably, carrying the lambs with them.
&&&
By the time they reached the next pasture even Barkovitch seemed tired. He was no longer doing his crazy capering dance. Only Stebbins was still walking at the same steady pace.
The new field had a stream flowing through it and green grass. Curley slipped off Ray’s back and ran over to roll in it.
Ray took a mouthful and loved next to Pete.
This was a good place.