THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 155 



and caps tilted over their noses, they set about commencing 

 the homeward jom'ney without any unnecessary delay. 



" I'd never have forgiven myself if we hadn't killed him," 

 said Will, bringing his fist down on his thigh with a bang. 

 " I shouldn't have got a wink 0' sleep all night ! " 



Ronald walked slowly back and recovered possession of 

 Marmion, only to find that his saddle looked like a large 

 puddle on the horse's back. He wiped the worst of the wet 

 off with his handkerchief, and climbed up. It was not a 

 pleasant seat, under the circumstances, but it was the only 

 one available for that dreary ride home. Dennison was 

 afterwards heard to declare that it was the longest twenty 

 miles he had ever ridden — as to there being but 1,760 yards 

 to each of those miles, he said that he utterly declined to 

 believe anything of the sort. Certain it is that he indulged 

 in several brief naps on the journey back ; that dinner 

 possessed but a feeble interest for him ; and that on getting 

 into a warm bath he incontinently went off to sleep and very 

 nearly got drowned for his pains ; and when, early in the 

 evening, he went to bed, he slumbered as soon as his head 

 touched the pillow, leaving the candle to gutter out, at its own 

 sweet will, in the small hours of the morning. 



