A BEACON OF HOPE 169 



approached the barrier. No barrier did it prove 

 to them. They landed with the greatest ease, 

 galloped over the ice, gained the shore and began 

 casting for the quarry. Meanwhile the hare had 

 gained the reed - bed whence, owing to the 

 conspicuousness of the ermined stoats, he was 

 able to follow the movements of the pack, till 

 presently the ghostly forms were swallowed up 

 in the darkness as they made for the further 

 end of the pool. 



The hare seizing the opportunity made off, 

 his face set for the ''curlew" moor. No longer 

 however does he move with full freedom of limb ; 

 the paralysing influence of the stoats is upon 

 him. How he labours as if held back by some 

 restraining hand, how slow his progress ! He feels 

 doomed, for escape is impossible and refuge there 

 is none. 



Suddenly he stops, as suddenly resumes his 

 way, but in a direction at right angles to his 

 former course. 



Across the black waste he has seen the 

 glimmer of light that tells of the presence of 

 man. He is making towards it as to a beacon 

 of hope. By and by he reaches the church, 

 from whose coloured windows the glow pro- 

 ceeds, and from his station amongst the tombs 

 listens to the singing. Whilst he listens there 



M 2 



