Chapter Ten

Sniffer’s patrins

It was fun in the smithy, working the bellows, seeing the fire glow, and watching the red-hot shoes being shaped. Jim was quick and clever, and it was a pleasure to watch him.

“You been hearing Grandad’s old stories?” he said. “It’s all he’s got to do now, sit there and remember, though when he wants to he can make a horse-shoe as well as I can! There, that’s the last one. Stand still, Sultan. That’s right!”

The five children were soon on their way back again. It was a lovely morning, and the banks and ditches they passed were bright gold with thousands of celandines.

“All beautifully polished!” said Anne, picking two or three for her button-hole. It did look as if someone had polished the inside of each petal, for they gleamed like enamel.

“What a queer tale the old man told,” said Julian. “He told it well!”

“Yes. He made me feel I don’t want to go up on the moor again!” said Anne.

“Don’t be feeble!” said George. “It all happened ages ago. Jolly interesting too. I wonder if the gypsies who are there now know the story. Maybe their great-grand-parents were the ones who set on the Bartles that misty day!”

“Well, Sniffer’s father looked sly enough to carry out a plan like that,” said Henry. “What about us having a shot at following the way they went, and seeing if we can make out the patrins that Sniffer told George he would leave?”

“Good idea,” said Julian. “We’ll go this afternoon. I say, what’s the time? I should think it must be half-past dinner-time!”

They looked at their watches. “Yes, we’re late, but we always are when we get back from the blacksmith,” said George. “Never mind, I bet Mrs Johnson will have an extra special meal for us!”

She had! There was an enormous plate of stew for everyone, complete with carrots, onions, parsnips and turnips, and a date pudding to follow. Good old Mrs Johnson!

“You three girls must wash up for me afterwards,” she said. “I’ve such a lot to do today.”

“Why can’t the boys help?” said George at once.

“I’ll do all the washing-up,” said Anne with a sudden grin. “You four boys can go out to the stables!”

Dick gave her a good-natured shove. “You know we’ll help, even if we’re not good at it. I’ll dry. I hate those bits and pieces that float about in the washing-bowl.”

“Will it be all right if we go up on the moors this afternoon?” asked George.

“Yes, quite all right. But if you want to take your tea, you’ll have to pack it yourselves,” said Mrs Johnson. “I’m taking the small children out for a ride, and there’s one on the leading-rein still, as you know.”

They were ready to set off at three o’clock their tea packed and everything. The horses were caught in the field and got ready too. They set off happily.