190 THE FIDDLER 



The mare took him over the wall with the 

 greatest ease, and soon was cantering along the 

 bridle-track, watched by Andrew, whom the music 

 of the hounds had drawn to the barn steps. 



** Have you seen her?" asked Sir Tudor, 

 when he reached the farmyard. 



" Seed what, sir? " 



''The hare?" 



** No, sir, theere ed'n such a crittur in the 

 country." 



Later the fiddler came running past. *' Where 

 are they, Andrew ? " he asked breathlessly. 



'* Gone right over the * curley ' moor straight 

 for Hayl Kimbra Pool. But what's the hurry? 

 Stop and have a bit of croust,^ a bit o' heavy 

 cake."^ 



** Lor' bless the boy, 'tes no time for feasting 

 nor fiddling. Did ee ever hear such pretty 

 music as they little dogs give out ? " 



And without waiting for an answer the fiddler 

 went off as if his life depended on being in at 

 the finish. 



Andrew had directed him well, for the hare 

 had gone to the pool where he had his first 

 swim. The hounds following, crossed it as if 

 nothing could live before them ; but on the far 



1 The food taken at the meal between breakfast and dinner. 

 ^ A toothsome cake peculiar to Cornwall. 



