At one moment endless pools would be shining in the
sunlight, and the next the hail would be dancing a mad fantastic
dance all about them: they pulled their caps over their brows, bent
their heads, and struggled on.
At length they reached their first stage, and after a meal of bread
and cheese and an offered glass of whisky, started again on their
journey. They did not talk much, for their force was spent on their
progress.
After some consultation whether to keep the road or take a certain
short cut across the moors, which would lead them into it again with
a saving of several miles, the sun shining out with a little
stronger promise than he had yet given, they resolved upon the
latter. But in the middle of the moorland the wind and the hail
came on with increased violence, and they were glad to tack from one
to another of the huge stones that lay about, and take a short
breathing time under the lee of each; so that when they recovered
the road, they had lost as many miles in time and strength as they
had saved in distance. They did not give in, however, but after
another rest and a little more refreshment, started again.
The evening was now growing dusk around them, and the fatigue of the
day was telling so severely on Ericson, that when in the twilight
they heard the blast of a horn behind them, and turning saw the two
flaming eyes of a well-known four-horse coach come fluctuating
towards them, Robert insisted on their getting up and riding the
rest of the way.
Pages:
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429