Then for a little while she lost sight of him. As he came up on the
next rise she saw him suddenly stop his horse. She guessed that he
was gazing at the flagstaff, for there was not a breath of wind,
and the flag drooped straight down by the pole, so that it was
difficult to distinguish it at a distance. Then she was sure that
he made it out, for he came on at a furious gallop; and as he came
nearer she could see that he had taken his gun from its place and
was carrying it across his arm in readiness for instant action. In
a few minutes Hubert met him, and after a short pause the two rode
together back to the house at a canter.
Mr. Hardy paused at the men's hut to give Lopez a hearty rating for
his disobedience of orders in going so far out upon the plain. Then
he came up to the house. "This is a bad affair, my dear," he said
cheerfully; "but as long as we are all safe we can thank God that
it's no worse. We shall get some of our beasts back yet, or I am
mistaken. Ethel, run down to Terence, and tell him to drive the
bullocks that are down with the plows into their enclosure, and to
fasten the gate after them. Maud, give all the horses a feed of
Indian corn and some water. Boys, tell Sarah to put some cold meat
and bread into your hunting-bags.
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