tious Scot had replied. "I
have no wish to be uncharitable, but I meestrust his nose."

Entirely unconscious that he was a subject of conversation between the
two shepherds of Barton Bridge, Bindle was standing behind a
refreshment stall that he had appropriated to himself, surrounded by an
amused crowd of revellers.

He was discoursing upon the virtues of lemonade upon a hot day. "Give
'er a drink, sir," he called to one sheepish-looking rustic, who stood
grasping in his the hand of a lumpy, red-faced girl. "Give 'er a
drink, sir, do, or she'll faint. 'Er tongue's almost 'anging out as it
is. Be a sport. No, miss, it's no use your looking at me; my wife
won't let me."

As they took their first sip of the much-praised lemonade, many looked
wonderingly at Bindle. There was about it an unaccustomed something
that they could not quite analyse or describe. Whatever it was, it was
pleasant to the taste, and it gave them courage. Eyes that had
previously been sheepish became merry, almost bold. The prospect of
joy seemed nearer.

The fame of the lemonade soon spread. The fringes about the stalls
deepened. The air became bright with shouts and laughter.

A spirit of wild revelry was abroad. The cokernut-shy was the centre
of an uproarious throng. Balls were bought and flung with such
wildness that none dared to replace the cokernuts that had been knocked
off, or to fetch what by rights was his own property.

Mr. Slocum and Mr. McFie strolled round the grounds, sedately benign.
They, the representatives of a Higher Power, must of necessity keep
aloof from such pleasures, even temperance pleasures; still, they were
glad to see about them evidences of such simple and wholesome gaiety.

With measured steps they approached a considerable group of young
people who were laughing and shouting boisterously. When within about
twenty yards of the crowd it suddenly opened out.

"It's a race, sir," shouted someone, and they smilingly stood aside to
see the sport. A moment after their smiles froze upon their faces and
gave place to a look of wonder and of horror. It was indeed a race;
but such a race! Coming towards them were five youths, each bearing,
pick-a-back fashion, a girl. There was an exhibition of feminine
frilleries that caused the reverend gentlemen to gasp, to look at each
other quickly and then turn hurriedly aside. When just opposite to
where they stood, one couple came to the ground and the pair