22 DOVE DALE REVISITED 



topmost branch of a young hawthorn bush away 

 up among the rocks. I sent Jack up. to get the 

 fly, and so I was left alone with the baby. He 

 was sitting sturdily on the donkey, holding the 

 reins tight, and presently he managed to pull his 

 head round towards home while I was adjusting 

 my fly. I did not see the start, but Bobby was 

 shouting " Dee-up, donkey ! " and working his 

 little legs on the donkey's side, and off the 

 donkey went at a brisk walk. 



As soon as I saw them, I walked as quietly 

 and as fast as I could, so as not to start him off, 

 but as I got up just near enough to put my hand 

 on the bridle, off he bolted full gallop, Master 

 Bobby clinging like a little man to his neck ; he 

 soon came tumbling down, to my no small 

 alarm. Luckily he fell easily on the soft grass. 

 After a jolly good roar, he was for a time pacified, 

 but when he saw the donkey disappearing round 

 the rocky corner he set up another hullaballoo, 

 and I could do nothing to pacify him. There 

 were a dozen excursionists on the other side 

 who witnessed the whole of the tragedy, evidently 

 with much amusement. I shouted for Jack till 

 I was hoarse, but in vain : no Jack appeared for 

 a long time. He eventually came along, quite 



