"Ah, he were a foo' to attempt that," observed the countryman; "but you followed belike?"
"We did."
"And took him arter all, I reckon?" asked the rustic, squinting more horribly than ever.
"No," returned Coates, "I can't say we did; but we'll have him yet. I'm pretty sure he can't be far off. We may be nearer him than we imagine."
"May be so, measter," returned the countryman; "but might I be so bold as to ax how many horses you used i' the chase—some half-dozen, maybe?"
"Half a dozen!" growled Paterson; "we had twenty at the least."
"And I ONE!" mentally ejaculated Turpin, for he was the countryman.