Shropshire Routes to Roots

David Davies has decided to steal a sheep again

The Story Continues

After talking things over with his wife, they both decide that David should steal another sheep using the same method as last time. David would again identify a weak ewe and kill it.

Work was still short in the cold hard weather. Mostly David was employed helping the shepherd prepare for lambing, which was to start in mid March, and carrying fodder.

Sheep in the farmyard [Shropshire Archive reference:PH/S/14/2] Larger image, in a new window [40kb]

Some of the pregnant ewes may be brought down to the yard near lambing time.

Whilst out on the hill David came across a lame ewe which was having difficulty walking on the hard ground. He saw this as the family food for the next few weeks. David killed the ewe and bundled the body into a bramble covered ditch. He spread more old branches over it and continued with his work, aiming to return that night to carry it home.

A severe blizzard sets in that evening. Retrieving the ewe would be extremely difficult and dangerous in the blinding snowstorm and pitch darkness. David has to make a choice.

Continue

David saw two choices open to him, which one should he choose?

• Go out into the blizzard: Go
• Wait at home for the blizzard to pass: Go

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