"If we've got to go through with it, I suppose we'd better start," his father said briskly. "Come along! I'll be the first victim," and he took off his cap and produced a khaki handkerchief.

Tom, Peter and David supervised the bandaging while the twins danced round exultantly. Mrs. Ingles was the only exception to the blindfold rule. Her ankle was still too weak for her to walk far, and she was already reconciled to travelling on Sally. Peter helped her on with the aid of a kitchen chair and said solemnly: "I'm afraid we shall have to ask you for your parole, Mrs. Ingles."

"God bless the child," answered the panting and uncomfortable rider, "and what's that, might I ask?"

David came up and explained. "You're the only stranger who will see the route to the camp, Mrs. Ingles. We knew you wouldn't feel comfortable riding on Sally if you couldn't see..."

"You're right there, lad," she broke in. "I'm not even comfortable when I can see on this pony."

Her husband laughed again and David gulped and went on... "So we must ask you please to give your solemn promise not to tell anyone the way to the camp."

"And that's a parole," added Mary brightly.

"It's really a solemn swear," said Dickie.

"Well, if Peter will lead me safe and sound and not let me fall off I'll never tell anyone, I promise."

"'Specially Mr. Ingles?" said Dickie.

"'Specially Mr. Ingles," she confirmed.

At last the cavalcade was ready. Only Agnes seemed particularly perturbed and indeed she had already made several half-hearted attempts to retire to her kitchen. Her hat with the dangling cherries was now cocked rakishly over one ear and she would undoubtedly have cheated with her bandage if Mary had not been watching her. Then Tom proudly produced a length of rope and the strange procession started - each member of the party holding the rope for guidance - with David in the lead. His mother came next, then Captain Ward, followed by Mary holding Bill's free hand, then Agnes with one hand groping grotesquely in the air before her and Mr. Sterling, who had been very silent throughout all the proceedings and who now wore the expression of a martyr being led to the torture. Next Mr. Ingles, laughing, stumbling and shouting and finally Peter leading Sally with Mrs. Ingles aloft. Dickie took no useful part in the procession but danced first on one side of the line and then the other, and generally made himself rather a nuisance.

Soon they came to the stream, crossed it, and began to climb. Here it was that Mrs. Ingles wished that she had stayed at home. The pony was sure enough on her feet but the track was narrow and very steep, and not being an accomplished horsewoman she found the angle at which she was forced to proceed particularly trying. But David gave them no rest and led them quickly up the hill.