302 MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 



Jimmy Edwards was always good company, and whilst 

 he undertook to show the shortest route consistent with 

 approaching darkness, he drew on such store of anecdote 

 and reminiscence that Lavvy almost forgot how tired she 

 was. No doubt she would have preferred Jack's company, 

 but his absence was explained. 



Ned Barlow's figure in front had become dim and indis- 

 tinct when Edwards advised a short cut by means of a cart 

 tract which would save a mile or more. As it happened the 

 result was unfortunate, for there was a cutting with high 

 sloping banks on either side which increased the darkness, 

 and just as this point was reached Diana, or whoever it is 

 who presides over scent, must have been seized with cussed- 

 ness ; a fox had crossed this ravine leaving a burning scent, 

 and in a twinkling hounds were scrambling up the steep side, 

 drowning all sounds of rating in their eagerness. 



There was no possible exit for horses even in daylight. 



" There's a gate on in front," Jimmy shouted. 



So there was, and Nettlethorpe Wood a field away with 

 its forty acres on a slope looming up on the sky-line. 



Then began one of the most arduous undertakings which 

 as yet had fallen to Lavvy's lot. 



Ned Barlow plunged bravely into what appeared black 

 darkness (in daylight it would have been a fairly straight 

 ride in the covert), and Sheppard and Jimmy made the best 

 of their way up either side. Lavvy, as the rallying point, 

 remained by the gate listening for a pause in the chorus 

 which in the stillness of night must have been heard for 

 miles. 



The cracking of whips and the *' Gar away baik ! " indicated 

 the position of the horsemen, whilst an occasional " Hold 

 up ! " proved that to them there were times of discontent. 



** What a scent there is ! Every hound must be speak- 

 ing to it," Lavvy thought. It seemed an eternity as she sat 

 in the misty darkness before there came sudden silence, 

 then she blew her horn. 



" Gar away baik ! gar away baik ! " and the sharp crack of 



