When he was older he began to come alone.

Soon he came often alone, learned every stick and stone and contour, effect of light and streak of gloom.

As idle or as purposeful as the wind, he knew the glen from top to bottom.

He knew the voice of the stream and the straining clutch of the roots over the broken crag.

He had lain on all the beds of leaf and moss, and talked with every creeping or flying or running thing.