"What dost thou mean, boy?" said Tressilian; but Flibbertigibbet only

answered with a grin and a caper, and bidding both of them farewell,

and, at the same time, exhorting them to make the best of their way from

the place, he set them the example by running homeward with the same

uncommon velocity with which he had baffled Tressilian's former attempts

to get hold of him.

"It is in vain to chase him," said Wayland Smith; "for unless your

worship is expert in lark-hunting, we should never catch hold of

him--and besides, what would it avail? Better make the best of our way

hence, as he advises."

They mounted their horses accordingly, and began to proceed at a round

pace, as soon as Tressilian had explained to his guide the direction in

which he desired to travel.

After they had trotted nearly a mile, Tressilian could not help

observing to his companion that his horse felt more lively under him

than even when he mounted in the morning.

"Are you avised of that?" said Wayland Smith, smiling. "That is owing

to a little secret of mine. I mixed that with an handful of oats which

shall save your worship's heels the trouble of spurring these six hours

at least. Nay, I have not studied medicine and pharmacy for nought."

"I trust," said Tressilian, "your drugs will do my horse no harm?"

"No more than the mare's milk; which foaled him," answered the artist,

and was proceeding to dilate on the excellence of his recipe when he

was interrupted by an explosion as loud and tremendous as the mine which

blows up the rampart of a beleaguered city. The horses started, and the

riders were equally surprised. They turned to gaze in the direction from

which the thunder-clap was heard, and beheld, just over the spot they

had left so recently, a huge pillar of dark smoke rising high into the

clear, blue atmosphere. "My habitation is gone to wreck," said Wayland,

immediately conjecturing the cause of the explosion. "I was a fool to

mention the doctor's kind intentions towards my mansion before that limb

of mischief, Flibbertigibbet; I might have guessed he would long to put

so rare a frolic into execution. But let us hasten on, for the sound

will collect the country to the spot."

So saying, he spurred his horse, and Tressilian also quickening his

speed, they rode briskly forward.

"This, then, was the meaning of the little imp's token which he promised

us?" said Tressilian. "Had we lingered near the spot, we had found it a

love-token with a vengeance."




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