"They've not touched him, have they?" questioned Peter, anxiously.
"Oh, no!" Tom answered, reassuringly; "they've only given him a jolly good fright!"
[CHAPTER VIII]
TOM'S PRESENCE OF MIND
THE boys did not come across either little Grace Lee or the Sordellos when they visited the Market Square in the afternoon; they did not stay there long, for Tom soon realised that the bustle and confusion attending the arrival and fixing of the shows had a bewildering effect on his companion. After Bounce had fought twice, and Tim had brought trouble upon himself and his master by pouncing on a cat, which belonged to a showman who had a great gift for strong language, and Peter had been nearly trampled upon by a van-horse, they turned their backs on the busy scene, and, before long, reached the country.
"Where are we going?" asked Peter by and by. He had dropped Tom's arm which he had been holding, and now, calling Bounce to him, put the dog on the leash. "I'd better lead him," he said, "or he may get away hunting in the woods again."
"We're on the road to Hatwell Green," Tom informed him; "let us go on and see if there are any gipsies encamped on the green; I should think some will come for the Fair."
"Oh, yes! I'm afraid you left the Market Square on my account, Tom?"
"Oh, never mind that! If I had known there would be such a crowd I wouldn't have taken you there. It wasn't a place for the dogs either; there were so many other dogs about, and then that cat!"
"The dogs and I have spoilt your afternoon!"