Song of the Trail

Each spring Old Doroteo drove one of Jess Cameron’s six flocks of sheep across the desert to the high summer pastures where the grazing was lush and water plentiful. But he had to cross broad desert plains and treacherous gorges that were hot and dry and abounding with jumping cholla, stinging gnats, and mountain lions.

Jess Cameron’s son, David recuperating from pneumonia, received his parents’ permission to accompany Old Doroteo to the high pastures for the season. “I believe I would be the best thing in the world for the boy,” his father had said.

With a little burro named Buhito and a tag-along pet crow named Timbird, David thought the life of a shepherd would be a great adventure. But he didn’t suspect that his seven months on the sheep trail would include getting lost in the desert for two days and losing a dear friend.

The story, by Mabel Earp Cason, tells how the sadness and laughter and frustration of the sheep trail taught David to be responsible for his obligations and always to put his trust in “the Good Shepherd.”