Cleopatra 



to take flight, and we cleared the fence and a good- 

 sized ditch without a qualm. 



The master, who was trying to mount, shouted 

 for me to go on with the hounds, which was entire- 

 ly unnecessary, as Cleopatra had caught the direc- 

 tion by the sound and was galloping as only a 

 thoroughbred can. I had given up hope long ago, 

 and as I had been prepared to die for some time 

 past, there did not seem anything in particular 

 to do but wait. 



Once I looked behind me and saw only long 

 stretches of fields and fences, but not a soul in 

 sight. Then suddenly the hounds turned sharply 

 in at somebody's farmyard and surged over the 

 gate, and chopped their quarry there. Cleopatra 

 surged also. It never occurred to me to try to 

 stop her. She took one last delightful soar, and 

 we sank gracefully but happily into a ton of hay. 



I got off, that is, rather, Cleopatra got off me, 

 and I stood up. All around me seemed to reign 

 peace and contentment. Everything seemed con- 

 tented; the hounds were calmly licking their chops, 

 Cleopatra was breathing heavily but happily in my 

 ear; and I — I stretched my legs and found myself 

 alive. It was enough. 



When the others came cantering along a few 

 minutes later, I called to them and Rawdon got off 



45 



