“They all look like skewbalds, brown and white,” said Dick. “It’s funny that so many gypsies have skewbald horses. I wonder why it is?”

They heard shouting as they came near the caravans, and saw one man pointing them out to another. It was Sniffer’s father!

“Look, that’s the fellow who woke us up in the stable last night,” said Julian to Dick. “Sniffer’s father! What a nasty bit of work he is! Why doesn’t he get a haircut?”

“Good morning!” called Dick, as they rode up to the caravans on their horses. “Nice day!”

There was no answer. The gypsies driving their caravans, and those walking alongside, looked sourly at the four riders.

“Where are you going?” asked Henry. “To the coast?”

“It’s naught to do with you,” said one of the gypsies, an old man with curly grey hair.

“Surly folk, aren’t they?” said Dick to Julian. “I suppose they think we’re spying on them, or something. I wonder how they manage about food on this moor, no shops or anything. I suppose they take it all with them.”

“I’ll ask them,” said Henry, not at all put off by the surly looks. She rode right up to Sniffer’s father.

“How do you manage about food, and water?” she asked.

“We got food there,” said Snifler’s father, jerking his head back towards one of the caravans. “As for water, we know where the springs are.”

“Are you camping on the moor for a long time?” asked Henry, thinking that a gypsy’s life might be a fine one, for a time! Fancy living out here on this lovely moor with gorse blazing gold all around, and primroses by the thousand in the sheltered corners!

“That’s naught to do with you!” shouted the old man with curly grey hair. “You clear off and let us alone!”

“Come on, Henry,” said Julian, swinging round to go off. “They don’t like us asking them questions. They think it’s prying, not interest. Maybe they have lots of things to hide, and don’t want us poking around - one or two chickens from a farm, a duck or so from some pond. They live from hand to mouth, these folk.”

Some dark-eyed children peered from the vans as they went by. One or two were running outside, but they sheered off like frightened rabbits when Henry cantered towards them.

“Oh well, they simply don’t want to be friendly,” she said, and went to join the other three. “What a strange life they lead, in their houses on wheels! Never staying anywhere for long, always on the move. Get up, there, Sultan. Go after the others!”

Her horse obediently followed the other three, taking care not to step into any rabbit-holes! What fun it was to be out here in the sunshine, jogging up and down on a horse’s back, without a care in the world! Henry was very happy.

The other three were enjoying their day, but they were not quite so happy. They kept wondering about George. They missed Timmy too. He should be trotting beside them, enjoying the day as well!