Unfortunately one day he was found dead in his hut, he must have died in his sleep because he was still in bed when they found him, with one arm hanging over the side.

Neighbours sadly made a coffin out of slabs and a grave was dug near the hut, but when they tried to place his rigor mortised body into the coffin they found his arm protruded away from the body, and it was obvious to everyone someone would have to break it to fit it into the coffin with him.

But he had been a good man and no-one really wanted to do that to him, so instead they cut a hole in the side of the coffin and left the arm stickling out.

The coffin was then taken to the graveside for burial, as was usual those days, when ministers sometimes had to travel long distances to conduct funerals on very short notice.

The minister was due the following day so it gave all the shepherd’s old mates a chance to go to the graveside and say goodbye – which they did by shaking him by the hand!

Lyster Holland.