But I had no fear of dogs, and I called him again cheerily, and at that he sank on his haunches and set back his head and howled and yelled as I had never heard any dog give tongue before.

And presently from a long way off I heard the like howls, as if all the dogs of some village answered him, and I thought their tongue was strange also.
Then came the shout of a man, even as I expected, and there was the noise of one who tears his way through briers and brambles in haste; but at that shout the dog turned and fled like a grey shadow into the farther thickets, and was gone.
"Who calls ?" one said loudly, and from the hillside climbed hastily into the open a tall man, bearded and strong, and with a pleasant-looking, anxious face.

He was dressed in leather like our shepherds, and like them carried but quarterstaff and seax for weapons.

I suppose that I was in some shadow, for at first he did not see me.
"Surely I heard a child's voice," he said out loud--"or was it some pixy playing with the grey beast of the wood ?" "Here I am," I cried, running to him; "take me home, shepherd, for I think that I am lost." He caught me up in haste, looking round him the while.
"Child," he said, "how came you here--and to what were you calling ?" "I was calling your dog," I answered, "but he is not friendly.

Does he look for a beating?
for he ran away yonder when he heard you coming." "Ay, sorely beaten will that dog be if he comes near me just now," the man said grimly.