doin' it for fun, I never saw worse entry to a furrow in my life."

"Nor I. But what can it mean?" Mrs Bosenna, panting, paused at the
sound of derisive cheers, not very distant.

The two women ran forward a pace or two, until their gaze commanded the
whole stretch of the upper slope. 'Bias, stolidly impelling his team--
a roan and a rusty-black--had, in the difficult process of steering the
turn, been too closely occupied to let his gaze travel aside. He was
off again: his stalwart back, stripped to braces and shirt, bent as he
trudged in wake of the horses, clinging to the plough-tail, helplessly
striving to guide them by the wavy parallel his last furrow had set.

Down the field, nearer and nearer, approached Cai, steering a team as
helplessly. Ribald cheers followed him.

Mrs Bosenna, though quite at a loss to explain it, grasped the situation
in less than a moment. She followed up 'Bias, keeping wide and
running--yet not seeming to hasten--over the unbroken ground to the
left.

"Captain Hunken!"

'Bias, throwing all his weight back on the plough-tail, brought his team
to a halt and looked around. He was bewildered, yet he recognised the
voice.

While he paused thus, Cai steadily advanced to meet and pass him.
He was plainly at the mercy of his team--a grey and a brown, both of
conspicuous height--and they were drawing the furrow at their own sweet
will. But he, too, clung to the plough-tail, and his lips were
compressed, his eyes rigid, as he drew nearer, to meet and pass his
adversary. He, likewise, had cast coat and waistcoat aside: his hat he
had entrusted to an unknown backer. He saw nothing, as he came, but the
line of the furrow he prayed to achieve.

"Captain Hocken!" She stepped forward hardily, holding up a hand, and
Cai's team, too, came to a halt as if ashamed. "What--_what_ is the
meaning of this foolishness?"

"I've had enough, it _he_ has," said Cai sheepishly, glancing past her
and at 'Bias.

"I ain't doin' this for fun, ma'am," owned 'Bias. "Fact is, I'd 'most
as lief steer a monkey by the tail."

"Then drop it this instant, the pair of you!"

'Bias scratched his head.

"As for that, ma'am, I don't see how we can oblige. There's money on
it--bets."

"There won't be money's worth left in my field, at the rate you're
spoilin' it." She turned upon the two judges, who were advancing
timidly to placate her, while the crowd hung back. "And now, Mr
Nicholls--now, Mr Wid