It seemed like a balmy zephyr compared with the tempest of a few hours ago.
The descent down the broad grass track with its slight covering of snow towards Sharpenholme had little difficulty; but the jolting tried Percy's arm as the steep climb with all its exertion had not done.
Jeffreys noticed the boy's steps become more unsteady, and felt him lean with increasing heaviness on his arm.
"Percy, old boy, you are done up." "No--I--Suppose we rest a minute or two; I shall be all right." But while he spoke he staggered faintly and would have fallen but for Jeffreys' arm in his.
"I think if you went on," said he, "I could rest a bit and follow slowly." Jeffreys' answer was curt and decisive.
He took the boy up in his arms as if he had been a baby, and, despite all protestations, carried him.
On level ground and under ordinary circumstances it would have been a simple matter.

For Jeffreys was brawny and powerful; and the light weight of the slender, wiry boy was nothing to him.

But on that slippery mountain-side, after the fatigue and peril of the afternoon, it was as much as he could do to stagger forward under the burden.
Yet--was it quite unnatural ?--a strange sort of happiness seemed to take possession of him as he felt this helpless boy's form in his arms, the head drooped on his shoulder, and the poor bruised arm tenderly supported in his hand.

There seemed hope in the burden; and in that brotherly service a promise of expiation for another still more sacred service which had been denied him! He tramped down that long gradual slope in a contented dream, halting often to rest, but never losing heart.

Percy, too exhausted to remonstrate, yielded himself gratefully, and lay only half conscious in his protector's arms, often fancying himself at home in bed or lolling idly in the summer fields.
It may have been midnight, or later still, when Jeffreys, looking beyond the shadows projected by the moon in front of him, perceived a gleam of light far down in the valley.
"Probably," thought he, "some honest shepherd, after his day's work, is happily going to rest.