Ralph understood their mission.

"Is he far away ?" he said.
"Not far." Her voice had a tremor of emotion, and as the wind carried it to him it seemed freighted with sadness.

But the girl would have hidden her fears.
"Perhaps he's better now," she said.
Ralph quickened his steps.

The dog had gone on in front, and was lost in the darkness.
"Give me your hand, Rotha; the sleet is hard and slape." "Don't heed me, Ralph; go faster; I'll follow." Just then a sharp bark was heard close at hand, followed by another and another, but in a different key.

Laddie had met a friend.
"He's coming," Rotha said, catching her breath.
"He's here." With the shrill cry of a hunted creature that has got back, wounded, to its brethren, Sim seemed to leap upon them out of the darkness.
"Ralph, take me with you--take me with you; do not let me go back to the fell to-night.