154 MY FIRST AND LAST STEEPLE-CHASE 



We did reach the barn, though with great diffi- 

 culty ; and, at first sight, a more unlikely or un- 

 promising place could hardly be found. In one 

 corner stood a heap of straw and a winnowing 

 machine, under which half a dozen rats scampered 

 as we came in. The roof was thatched, and in 

 several places we could see the sky through it. 

 Long strings of floating cobwebs hung from the 

 rafters, and the rough walls were thickly coated 

 with dust. There were two storeys to it, however ; 

 the floor of the upper one was boarded and seemed 

 sound. Taking out a note-book, my companion 

 seated herself on an old garden-roller, saying — 



" Go down-stairs, Frank, and finish your smoke ; 

 I want to think for five minutes ; or you may stay 

 here, if you promise not to speak until I give you 

 leave." 



I gave the required pledge, and, lighting my 

 pipe, lay down in a corner, watching the rats peer- 

 ing out with their sharp, black, beady eyes at the 

 strange visitors, and rather enjoying the confusion 

 of the spiders, who, not relishing the smoke, were 

 making off out of reach as fast as they could. Be- 

 fore long my companion called me over, to give her 

 directions, which were, to go back to the lodge, and 

 bring all the volunteers I could get, as well as some 

 materials, of which she gave me a list. 



