28 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



with one eye his daughter's pleasure in her com- 

 panion and did not notice me." 



"Well! Phil, you can't deny that Richard makes 

 a fine figure on horseback." 



" Oh yes ! he looks well enough at a Meet ; but 

 has anyone ever seen him really ride ? " 



" Now, sir, confess you would have liked him less 

 had he outstripped you in that gallop, rescued me 

 from the mist and seen me safely home as you 

 did." 



" Yes, it was a chase, Nell, was it not? Every 

 swing of my little horse, which did not mean to lose 

 you, and every beat of the drizzling mist against 

 my face was as strong wine until I saw the land- 

 mark that made me give that yell." 



" And then the dreadful Channel fog, Phil, in 

 which we lost our way and had to trust our horses. 

 The dear old moor, how lovely it looks to-day ! " 



Here and there we crossed miniature streams that 

 were hurrying down to do their little part in making 

 the River Barle from which we hoped so much. 

 The long uphill walks and the lovely drive across 

 the heather-scented downs quite prepared us to do 

 justice to the substantial meal provided for us at 

 the little inn that stands in the centre of Exmoor 

 Forest. We received a warm welcome from the 

 forewarned host and hostess, but it was evident that 

 we failed in some respect to fulfil their expectations, 

 for surprise was writ so large we could but notice it, 

 and, I fear, we blushed in an apologetic sort of way 

 for our shortcomings. We were, however, soon 

 at home with them, and our stay at the inn was an 

 event of which they appeared even a little proud. 

 Indeed, the whole village took the liveliest interest 



