which followed the
lead willingly enough, only stopping now and then to crop the rich
grass.

The progress was naturally very slow, but none the less pleasant, and so
long as the leader went right, and Uncle Munday took care that no
stragglers were left behind, there was very little need for the other
drivers to trouble about their charges; while the girls, both with their
faces radiant with enjoyment, cantered about quite at home on their
side-saddles, now with the captain, who played the part of scout in
advance and escort guard, now behind with Uncle Jack, whose severe face
relaxed whenever they came to keep him company.

Hence it was that, the incident of the morning almost forgotten, Norman
left the horses by whose side he trudged, to go forward to Rifle, who
was also playing carter.

"How are you getting on?" he said.

"Slowly. I want to get there. Let's go and talk to Tim."

Norman was ready enough, and they went on to where their cousin was
seated on the shaft of one of the carts whistling, and practising
fly-fishing with his whip.

"Caught any?" said Rifle.

"Eh? Oh, I see," said the boy, laughing. "No; but I say there are some
flies out here, and can't they frighten the horses!"

"Wouldn't you like to go right forward?" said Norman, "and see what the
country's like?"

"No: you can see from here without any trouble."

"Can you?" said Rifle; and catching his cousin by the shoulder, he gave
him a sharp pull, and made him leap to the ground.

"What did you do that for?" said Tim resentfully.

"To make you walk. Think the horse hasn't got enough to drag without
you? Let's go and talk to Sourkrout."

"If old Sam hears you call him that, he'll complain to father," said
Norman quietly.

"Not he. Wouldn't be such an old sneak. Come on."

The three boys went forward to where Sam German sat up high in front of
the cart looking straight before him, and though he seemed to know that
the lads were there by him, he did not turn his eyes to right or left.

"What can you see, Sam?" cried Rifle eagerly.

"Nought," was the gruff reply.

"Well, what are you looking at?"

"Yon tree right away there."

"What for?"

"That's where the master said I was to make for, and if I don't keep my
eye on it, how am I to get there."

He nodded his head toward a tree which stood up alone miles and miles
away, but perfectly distinct in the clear air, and for a few minutes
nothing more was said, for there were