PARK AND ROAD RIDING. 71 



never witnessed ; the ducks quacked, the 

 turkeys screeched, the hens ran hither and 

 thither; two pigs, eating from a trough close 

 by, set up a most terrific squalling, dogs 

 barked, and two or three women, who were 

 spreading clothes upon a line, added to the 

 general confusion by flinging down the gar- 

 ments with which they had been busy and 

 taking to their heels, shrieking vociferously. 

 In the meantime the big bay, perceiving that 

 he had run to the end of his tether, stood 

 snorting and foaming, looking hither and 

 thither in helpless amazement and dismay ; 

 whilst I, relieved at length of my anxiety, 

 burst first into tears, and then into shouts of 

 hearty laughter, as I fully took in the absurdity 

 of the situation. 



After a considerable delay one of the women 

 was induced to come forward and listen to a 

 recital of my adventure ; and the others, being 

 assured that '*the baste '* would not actually 

 devour them, came near me also, and we held 

 an amicable council as to the possibility of 

 my ever getting out, for the gates were 

 locked, and the owner of the property was 



