Page:Wonder Tales from Tibet.djvu/79

Rh his surprise when he reached the shed to see, standing by the cow, not a calf at all, but a boy, tall and thin and very ragged, with bushy hair and clear brown eyes. His disappointment and anger rose at the sight.

"What are you doing here, you young beggar?" he shouted. Trying to steal my cow, I suppose—the only thing I have in the world!" Seizing a great staff, he went at the boy as if to kill him, and the lad shrank back against the wall.

"Kill me not, master!" he cried. "I had no thought of evil towards you. I am alone and friendless and have come begging you to take me as your son."

The man put down his staff and laughed loudly and disagreeably. "My son!" said he; "as if I did not have enough to do in keeping this poor body and soul together without taking upon me the care of another! Son, indeed, when I wanted a calf! Nay, I've a mind to kill you for