Parkhurst Towers rose before us in the distance, and more than one boy was already strolling out in our direction to witness the finish.
How we wished we were as fresh as they! "Put it on, hares!" shouted the first who met us, "you'll do it yet." "Hounds are gaining!" cried the next we passed--a young urchin sitting on a bank and eating toffee.
And now there met us not single spectators only, but groups, who cheered loudly, backing, some the hares and some the hounds, till we hardly knew where we were.

Some even began to run along with us, at a respectful distance, in order to be "in at the death." The playground wall was now visible only half a mile away, on the other side of the Gravelshire Canal, which had to be crossed by a bridge which we were fast approaching.
I gave a rapid look back.

Forwood was now only a hundred yards behind us, with lots of running still in him.

He would certainly run us down in the next half-mile.
"Birch," I said, as I ran beside him, "are you good for a swim ?" "Rather!" he exclaimed; "if you are.

Quick!" We swerved suddenly in our course, and, to the amazement of all spectators, left the bridge on our left.