The whole body was thrown more back, and the heels dug solidly into the earth, at each downward leap.
Here and there, where the incline was steeper, four or five foot-tramps followed rapidly upon each other; and then, gathering himself up, with a sudden, strong clutch, as it were, the young man continued on as before.
Thus the slope was left behind; and now began a low, long stretch, lying between meadows, overshadowed by a bordering of willow-trees, and studded with lengths of surreptitious puddles, for the ground was clayey, and the rain was unabsorbed.

As Bressant entered upon it, he felt the cold moisture of the air meet his warm face refreshingly; he was breathing deep and regularly, and now let himself out to a yet swifter pace than before.
The willow-trees started suddenly from the forward darkness, and vanished past in a dusky twinkling.

The road seemed drawn in swift, smooth lines from beneath his feet, he moving as in a mighty treadmill.
The breeze softly smote his forehead, and whispered past his ears.

Now he rose lightly in the air over an unexpected puddle, striking the farther side with feet together, and so on again.

Twice or thrice, his steps sounded hollowly over a plank bridging.