As we passed over the low hills by Chandler's Ford and Romsey we could see the smoke of Southampton to the south-east, and the broad dark expanse of the New Forest with the haze of morning hanging over it.

A few horsemen passed us, pricking along, too much engrossed in their own errand to inquire ours.

A couple of carts and a long string of pack-horses, laden principally with bales of wool, came straggling along a byroad, and the drivers waved their broad hats to us and wished us God-speed.

At Dunbridge the folk were just stirring, and paused in taking down the cottage shutters to come to the garden railings and watch us pass.

As we entered Dean, the great red sun pushed its rosy rim over the edge of the horizon, and the air was filled with the buzz of insects and the sweet scent of the morning.