sibly see us."
Ernest agreeing to Buttar's proposal, they got to the top of the highest
pinnacle, and taking off their hats they waved them vehemently above
their heads, shouting at the same time to their hearts' content at the
top of their voices, Hurra, hurra, hurra; once more, hurra! They did
not expect, however, that the sound could possibly reach their friends,
so they shouted, it must be owned, for their own satisfaction and
amusement. Having shouted and waved their hats till they were tired,
they agreed that it should be time to commence their homeward way. They
accordingly prepared to descend from their lofty perch to the world
below. They did not go down by the staircase, but by the rugged
projections in the wall, where a wide breach existed, made either by the
hand of time or by Cromwell's cannons in the times of the Cavaliers and
Roundheads. They laughed very much as they stuck bits of paper into the
crevices in the walls, and scattered them on every spot where there was
a chance of their remaining. They were not long in reaching the bottom,
for they were fearless climbers, and made little of dropping down ten
feet or so to a ledge below them, provided they felt sure that they
could balance themselves when there, and not go head foremost lower
still, as careless climbers are apt to do. After this every step would
bring them nearer home; but still they endeavoured to make the course as
interesting as possible. Having taken a turn round the tower, and
dropped the scent thickly in their track, off they again set. Along the
upper edge of the downs they went at an easy jog-trot, and then when
compelled at last, with regret, to leave the breezy hills, they took
their way across a succession of fields where oats, and turnips, and
mangel wurtzel were wont to grow, till they descended into the richer
pasture and wheat-producing lands. Still they had many a stream and
deep ditch to leap.

"How do you feel, old fellow?" said Ernest, after they had made good
play for a couple of miles or more without stopping.

"As fresh as one of the daisies we are treading on," answered Buttar.
"Do you know, Bracebridge, I never like treading on wild flowers; it
seems such wanton destruction of some of the most beautiful works of
nature. I feel all the time as a donkey who has got into a flower-bed
ought to feel,--that I am a very mischievous animal. I would always
rather go out of my way than injure them, especially such