188 THE CHASE 



hounds, horsemen, and the straggHng line of 

 pedestrians, removed all doubts that he himself 

 was the object of pursuit, so he laid his ears back 

 again and resumed his gallop, scared nearly as 

 much by the glaring sunlight as by the cries 

 of the pack. 



Twice he swerved, the first time to cross 

 a ploughed field which he knew would hold little 

 scent, and again to thread his way among the 

 cattle in a field beyond. Presently he crossed 

 the track to St Just close behind a train of 

 mules bearing tin ore, set foot on Balleswidden 

 common, and soon saw the hills of his first home 

 right ahead of him. 



Cheered by the sight he sped bravely on 

 across the waste of furze and heather to the 

 foothills, and bounded up the slope with a 

 vigour that showed little sign of fatigue. He 

 was making for the form. There he believed 

 he would be safe when shielded by a ruse, for 

 he meant after going nearly to the foot of 

 Chapel Carn Brea to return on his line and 

 leap aside into his seat. 



His mind was full of his purpose as he skirted 

 the Liddens, and a little way beyond them he 

 stopped to satisfy himself that he had time to 

 carry out his plan before the hounds came up. 

 Though he listened intently, he heard nothing ; his 



