So some of the congregation in the gallery were thinking, when suddenly they saw him bend low and then take to his heels.

He had caught sight of Sanders's head bobbing over the hedge that separated the road from the common, and feared that Sanders might see him.

The congregation who could crane their necks sufficiently saw a black object, which they guessed to be the carter's hat, crawling along the hedge-top.

For a moment it was motionless, and then it shot ahead.

The rivals had seen each other.