In a few moments, the turn around the spur of the hill was reached, and the runner was well settled down to his pace.
The stone-fences, the occasional apple-trees, the bushes and bits of rock bordering the road, slipped by half seen.

The full use of the eyes was required for the path in front, rough as it was with loose stones, and seamed with irregular ruts.

Easy work enough, however, as long as it remained level, and open to the starlight.

But, some distance beyond, there dipped a pretty abrupt slope, and here was need for care and quickness.

Sometimes a step fell short, or struck one side, to avoid a stone, or lengthened out to overpass it.