330 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



we sped away, thinking every instant to hear that 

 glorious bang ; and then when it came, in all its magni- 

 ficence, another inspection of the shattered ruins, and 

 away home, very careful to clear away the debris, and 

 take with us all the paraphernalia of our work. 



So ended a memorable performance, the fame of 

 which remains in North Yorkshire to this day, for those 

 gates were never replaced. 



In a sense, it seems trivial, yet it contained elements 

 of excitement unequalled by anything that I have 

 experienced before or after. What was done was no 

 mere wanton damage, but for the benefit of the whole 

 neighbourhood. We got home all right, and all the 

 tools were carefully hidden ; then up the rope we 

 climbed, put that and everything else straight and went 

 to bed, after telling our cautious senior what had been 

 done not that he needed to be told, for he had heard 

 all the reports. 



Everything was so well managed that when, a day or 

 so later, Mr Peckitt hinted to Mr Scott, the vicar, that 

 he suspected us of having perpetrated this grievous 

 deed, the worthy vicar warmly assured him that such 

 could not be the case, as he had himself seen us go up 

 to bed that very night ; had himself locked the house, 

 and all remained as he left it till next morning. 



I, who came in while this conversation was proceeding, 

 expressed indignation at Mr Peckitt's suggestions, and 

 assured him that I had gone up to bed at eleven on the 

 night in question, and not come downstairs till breakfast- 

 time next morning (which was in fact true). The 

 aggrieved gentleman was in this way utterly bemused ; 

 but he was a good sort in all other respects, except in 

 his fad for those gates. He had posters put up offering 



