'Oh, the devil!' exclaimed Watchorn, pulling up short in a perfect agony of despair. 'Oh, the devil!' repeated he in a lower tone, as Mr. Sponge approached.
'Where's there a gate?' roared our friend, skating up.
'Gate! there's never a gate within a mile, and that's locked,' replied Watchorn sulkily.
'Then here goes!' replied Mr. Sponge, gathering the chestnut together to give him an opportunity of purging himself of his previous faux pas. 'Here goes!' repeated he, thrusting his hard hat firmly on his head. Taking his horse back a few paces, Mr. Sponge crammed him manfully at the palings, and got over with a rap.
'Well done you!' exclaimed Miss Glitters in delight; adding to Watchorn, 'Now, old Beardey, you go next.'
Beardey was irresolute. He pretended to be anxious to get the tail hounds over.
'Clear the way, then!' exclaimed Miss Glitters, putting her horse back, her bright eyes flashing as she spoke. She took him back as far as Mr. Sponge had done, touched him with the whip, and in an instant she was high in the air, landing safely on the far side.
'Hoo-ray!' exclaimed Captains Quod and Cutitfat, who now came panting up.
'Now, Mr. Watchorn!' cried Captain Seedeybuck, adding, 'You're a huntsman!'