112 ON SURREY HILLS. 



across the Mole, and the river was in flood. For 

 more than a mile I splashed through on the high- 

 road till I got to the ford where a bridge was. The 

 way-pole told plainly, by the marks on it which 

 were under water, that crossing here was out of 

 the question. I knew a place farther up where 

 the ground was higher, so getting through a hedge, 

 I made for it. There the water was within a foot 

 of the top rail. In the meadow four farm-labourers 

 were standing close to the edge of the water, and 

 I asked one of them if this was the only place where 

 1 could cross ? 



" What do 'ee mean by crass ? Ye wunt crass 

 over there, I reckuns — no, thet ye wunt ; it's im- 

 possible." 



"Are you waiting to cross.'" I asked. 



" Yes, we be ; an' we will wait, if 'tis fur a week, 

 afore we goes over there. Do 'ee think as we 

 wants to be drownded? Why, a hoss couldn't go 

 over there." 



" Well, I must, though, some way or other." 



" Don't 'ee act the goat now ; 't wud be sheer fule- 

 hardness an' temtin' Pruvedunce ter try it." 



" Can I go back the way I have come, then .' " 



