324 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



it, admirably suited to stimulate the spirit of devilry 

 which had taken hold on us. 



There was an inclination, in the free ecstasy of the 

 moment, to " whoop " and " tally-ho," run, jump any- 

 thing just to give vent to wild joy. 



But caution had to be observed, for we were go- 

 ing along the regular Thirsk road and might meet 

 someone. 



Eagerly we pressed on to the first gate, some mile 

 and a half distant, and it was soon reached. A hasty 

 survey was made in all directions to see that no one 

 was near, and then the work began. 



Confusion ! The post was as hard as iron ; the auger 

 would not make any way in it at all, even though pushed 

 with the utmost force that we could apply. 



We struggled, we toiled till the perspiration ran off 

 our brows, first one taking a spell and then the other ; 

 but the massive old gate-posts were of the most seasoned 

 oak, and were impregnable to such a tool as we were 

 employing. 



It was no use. Exhausted and dispirited, we were 

 fain to return by the way that we came, mournfully 

 reflecting on the failure. We found the ascent by the 

 rope easy enough, for it was much more simple to go in 

 head first than to come out feet first. The rope was 

 drawn up and secreted, and all tokens of the intended 

 crime were put aside ; then bed and untroubled sleep, 

 all these matters notwithstanding. 



So ended the first attempt. But the project was by 

 no means abandoned ; only it was now seen to be one 

 that demanded more care than was imagined. 



As a result of this, I made a special journey to 

 Middlesbrough, and there casually introduced the subject 



