108 The Trysting-place. 



The next is approached by a line of stepping- 

 stones to avoid the mud and water whose sur- 

 faces are so irregular as barely to afford a footing. 

 The stile itself is nothing very low and easy to 

 pass ; but just beyond it a stiff, stout pole has been 

 placed across to prevent horses straying, and below 

 that a couple of hurdles are pitched to confine the 

 sheep. This is almost too much ; however, by pa- 

 tience and exertion, it is managed. 



Then comes a double mound with two stiles one 

 for each ditch made very high and intended for 

 steps ; but the steps are worn away, and it is some- 

 thing like climbing a perpendicular ladder. Another 

 has a top rail of a whole tree, so broad and thick no 

 one can possibly straddle it, so some friend of hu- 

 manity has broken the second rail, and you creep 

 under. Finalty comes a steep bank, six or seven feet 

 high, with rude steps formed of the roots of trees 

 worn bare by iron- tipped boots, and of mere holes in 

 which to put the toe. At the top the stile leans for- 

 ward over the precipice, so that }*ou have to suspend 

 yourself in mid-air. Fortunately, almost every other 

 one has a gap worn at the side just large enough to 

 squeeze through after coaxing the briars to yield a 

 trifle. For it is intensely characteristic of human 

 nature to make gaps and short cuts. 



All the lads of the hamlet have a trysting-place 

 at the cross-roads, or rather cross-lanes, where there 

 is often an open waste space and a small clump of 

 trees. If there is any mischief in the wind, there the 

 council of war is sure to be held. There is a great 

 rickyard not far distant, where in one of the open 

 sheds is the thatcher's workshop. 



