At the gate David remembered something else. "I must have my note-book," he said, "because we must make a map. Run back for it, Dickie, and a good thick pencil as well."

"Aren't we going up our valley?" asked Mary when Dickie got back.

"No," said David. "We can explore that almost any time. We must find a new and bigger valley, and then if we can get to the top of the mountain we'll try to come back to Witchend this way. Opposite Ingles yesterday, I saw a stile and a path leading round the side of the hill. We're going to follow that."

Mrs. Ingles was in the yard as they passed, and waved to them.

"We want to get to the top of the Mynd," said David. "Can we get up a valley if we go across these fields?"

Mrs. Ingles came over to the gate and looked at them a little doubtfully.

"Up to the top you want to go? But it's a long walk and lonely, too. Does your mother know? Maybe it's all right, then. Look out for the bogs and watch the way you go, so as you can find your way back safe. Keep your dog from the sheep down here. Stick to the tracks, and don't wander off up the little gutters - that's what we call the valleys hereabouts - else you'll get lost... Yes, you can go across here till you come to a lane. Turn up it left and through a gate by a stream. Follow this right up that gutter - it's called Dark Hollow - and it'll bring you out to the top of the Mynd. But take care when you get there because it's wild and lonely and the tracks in the heather are difficult to follow."

"When we're up there," said Dickie, "when we've reached the summit will we see that old devil's chair?"

Mrs. Ingles looked at him strangely. "If it's fine you'll see it over west," she said. "If you can't you come straight home, because the weather will be changing."

"Gosh!" said the twins together.

Then they said "Good-bye", lifted Macbeth over the stile, and started out.

The track led round the side of the hill, and soon the bracken was as high as the twins' heads.

"Tigers in here," said Dickie.

"Lurking," said Mary.

They came to the lane and found the gate and the stream. Here David stopped, got out his note-book and started his map. It is difficult to make a map on a small page of a note-book as you go along, and David soon realized this. He decided to do it in sections and make a big and proper map when he got home.

They let Macbeth off the lead, and he barked his thanks and took a good drink. The stream here was almost a little river. The water was running fast and it was clear and icy cold, although not very deep. Stepping stones helped them over to the track that was never more than a few feet from the bank.