mainder of the outwood, crossed the road in safety, and
began to mount into the high ground of Tunstall Forest.
The trees grew more and more in groves, with heathy
places in between, sandy, gorsy, and dotted with old yews.
The ground became more and more uneven, full of pits
and hillocks. And with every step of the ascent the wind
still blew the shriller, and the trees bent before the gusts
like fishing-rods.

They had just entered one of the clearings, when Dick
suddenly clapped down upon his face among the bram-
bles, and began to crawl slowly backward towards the
shelter of the grove. Matcham, in great bewilderment,
for he could see no reason for this flight, still imitated his
companion's course; and it was not until they had gained
the harbour of a thicket that he turned and begged him
to explain.

For all reply, Dick pointed with his finger.
At the far end of the clearing, a fir grew high above the
neighbouring wood, and planted its black shock of foliage
clear against the sky. For about fifty feet above the
ground the trunk grew straight and solid like a column.
At that level, it split into two massive boughs; and in the
fork, like a mast-headed seaman, there stood a man in a
green tabard, spying far and wide. The sun glistened upon
his hair; with one hand he shaded his eyes to look abroad,
and he kept slowly rolling his head from side to side,
with the regularity of a machine.

The lads exchanged glances.

-52-