Over the Hills and Far Away

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

Over the Hills and Far Away

(Fir»t Prize Story)

By NANCY JOHNSON

"WHERE art thou going, my lad? ' asked the old man. "Out yonder over the hills," replied the boy. "All," sighed the man, "those hills bring back sad memories. "Sit ye down and I will tell you the story." The boy seated himself. "Yes," continued the old man, " it was some 70 years ago. My father owned that land you seo over on those hills, but then it was covered with manuka and tall fern and many a long hunt my brother and I had through it for cows and other animals that had strayed. "One day more cows than usual broke out and after searching for two hours we managed to find all but one. " 'Take those home. Jock, and start milking while I search over the hills and see if I can find her,' said my brother. So I set off home with the cows. "It was nigh on dusk but still no sign of my brother and [ began'to got worried. I finished the cows and went up to the house. Father had just come in and I told him about Jim and tincows, and we both set out to look for him. "After searching all night we found him. Poor Jim," the old man wiped his his eyes, "he was unconscious, and after two days he died. But before he went he said to, me: " 'You remember, Jock, the song I used to sing about those hills?—" Over the hills and <"ar away."—l have always wondered what was on the other side and now I am going to find out.' "