out for a path--where there's a will there's a way!
Hurra, now!"

The hounds kept examining the ledge in every direction, and at a
distance they must have looked like a swarm of ants, so busy did they
appear. Still without success; and some of the more fainthearted
declared that they should have to climb up the cliff again, and find
some other way down, or give up the chase.

"No, no, nonsense," said the huntsman. "There is a way down, and the
way must be found."

I must now go back to describe the progress of the hare and his friend.

I have read of "the hare and many friends," but they were very unlike
young Buttar; no one could desire a stouter or a stauncher friend.
Before starting they had well laid their plans, and determined to give
the hounds a good run. Ernest had provided himself with a good pocket
compass, so that he could steer as direct a course as the ground would
allow to the point he had selected to round before turning back towards
home.

"Let us go along over the smooth ground at a good pace--we shall save
time to spare when we come to the difficult places," observed Ernest to
Buttar, as they were waiting for the Doctor's signal to start. It was
given--and away they went; steady at first, but gradually increasing
their speed as they found that they could easily draw breath. They met
with no impediments in the way. They easily leaped the brooks they
encountered. The old couple in Ashby-lane stared at them, and wondered
where they could be going, leaving little bits of paper behind them.
Then they came to Ashby-downs: it was hot work toiling up the steep
side, with the hot sun striking down on them; but when they got to the
summit, a fresh breeze and a clear blue air revived their strength, and
they went along merrily, every now and then looking back to try and
catch sight of the hounds, judiciously dropping their scent in places
where it could be seen, and not blown away by the breeze. They had
several points to attend to. They had been especially charged by the
Doctor to avoid trespassing on any private ground; they had to select an
interesting course, and one not too difficult, at the same time with
every possible variety of country.

On they went, making good play over the short smooth turf of the downs.
At last they came to the cliff. Buttar was for descending again, and
crossing the ravine where it opened into the plain country.

"No, no," said Ernest, "we shall increase our dista