"I think so too," said the third.
"Well, then, let's go back; we needn't run, though it might be as well to do so."
"It would be anything but well. I don't gallop back, depend upon it."
The three men now slowly returned from their useless chase, and re-trod the way they had passed once in such a hurry that they could hardly recognize it.
"What a dreadful bump I came against that pole standing there," said one.
"Yes, and I came against a hedge-stake, that was placed so as the moon didn't show any light on it. It came into the pit of my stomach. I never recollect such a pain in my life; for all the world like a hot coal being suddenly and forcibly intruded into your stomach."
"Well, here's the road. I must go up to the house where I started him from. I promised them some explanation. I may as well go and give it to them at once."
"Do as you will. I will wait with the horse, else, perhaps, that Beauchamp will again return and steal him."
The officer who had first entered the house now returned to the Bannerworths, saying,
"I promised you I would give you some explanation as to what you have witnessed."