noon
Before dawn I led my flock to the sheep-walks , and guarded them through the day . It was a life of toil ; for rain and cold were more frequent than sunshine ; but it was my pride to contemn the elements . My trusty dog watched the sheep as I slipped away to the rendezvous of my comrades , and thence to the accomplishment of our schemes . At noon we met again , and we threw away in contempt our peasant fare , as we built our fire-place and kindled the cheering blaze destined to cook the game stolen from the neighbouring preserves . Then came the tale of hair-breadth escapes , combats with dogs , ambush and flight , as gipsey-like we encompassed our pot . The search after a stray lamb , or the devices by which we elude or endeavoured to elude punishment , filled up the hours of afternoon ; in the evening my flock went to its fold , and I to my sister . It was seldom indeed that we escaped , to use an old-fashioned phrase , scot free .