East again shrugged his shoulders, but said nothing.
“I know, Master Tom,” said Harry Winburn.
“What?”
“Pull up a bit, sir.”
Tom pulled up, and his horse fell into a walk willingly enough, while East passed on a few strides ahead. Harry Winburn sprang off.
“You ride on now, Master Tom,” he said, “I knows the heath well; you let me bide.”
“No, no, Harry, not I. I won't leave you now, so let them come, and be hanged.”
East had pulled up, and listened to their talk.
“Look here, now,” he said to Harry; “put your arm over the hind part of his saddle, and run by the side; you'll find you can go as fast as the horse. Now, you two push on, and strike across the heath. I'll keep the road, and take off this joker behind, who is the only dangerous customer.”
“That's like you, old boy,” said Tom, “then we'll meet at the first public beyond the heath.” They passed ahead in their turn, and turned on to the heath, Harry running by the side, as the lieutenant had advised.