32 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



and nettles and make a path that brought us to an 

 orchard hedge was warming work, and it was no 

 easy task to follow the hedge until we found a 

 breach that enabled us to tread the turf beneath 

 the apple-burdened trees. The farmhouse that 

 came to view was above the average in outward 

 appearance and the barnyard was full of con- 

 tented life. In the meadows beyond was a herd 

 of Devon cattle, and the stackyard, through which 

 we made our way, had bulky ricks of hay and 

 corn. 



A happy-faced girl answered our timorous knock 

 and in a sweet voice said : " 'Ess sure we will. 

 Please come in ; mother's making tea." We 

 followed into a spacious kitchen to where a woman 

 was pouring water from a kettle that hung over a 

 wood fire and, as she turned in answer to her 

 daughter's voice announcing us and our wish, we 

 saw a real picture of a Devon farmer's wife. The 

 other occupant of the room was a very aged man, 

 eighty-nine he told me, still clear of intellect and, as 

 I afterwards discovered, brimming over with tales 

 of Napoleon's time. 



" I think it only fair to tell you," said Nell, "that 

 we have been trespassing and catching your fish, 

 but perhaps you will not be angry for we have been 

 very careful not to damage the standing crops and 

 have safely shut the gates. We are staying at 

 Simonsbath and taking drives to fishing places. 

 To-day we chanced to come this way and I was so 

 very thirsty that it made me bold to beg for a cup 

 of tea." 



"You be very welcome, me dear," said the 

 hostess, to which the old man added : "'Ess sure 



