So Peter and David, rather ashamed, sent up the cradle and brought their friend down. Peter was loud in praise of Tom's pluck in riding the cable car, and Tom could not say enough for Peter. And when they all looked over to the hawthorn there were Uncle Micah and Uncles Charles shaking hands with each other and talking together and laughing together until Uncle Micah roared suddenly:

"Humphrey, ye great idle, good-for-nothing, don't stand there gaping, but bring the pony for the lad. Can't you see he's come home?"

And so, as the sun slipped down behind the mountain ridge and dark night came rushing up the Dingle and the Chair loomed menacingly over all again, a strange procession wound slowly down the track. First came the large policeman, for it was fitting that he should lead. Then came a well-laden Humphrey leading Sally, on which Charles was riding. By his side strode Uncle Micah, with his head held high. Next, hand in hand, trudged the twins - tired now, but very happy and proud. Next came Macbeth, who was prepared to accept all the inconvenience and humiliation of a ridiculous procession like this if only he could get home and find some peace. All these humans seemed to have gone mad today, and he hoped soon to forget the awful experience of being put into a large bucket and rushed through the air. When a rabbit rustled in a fern in front of him, he proceeded unmoved on his dignified way.

And after Macbeth came Tom and Jenny. Tom was swaggering a little because Jenny wanted to hear all his adventures several times over, and it is difficult not to repeat yourself when your listener keeps saying: "You didn't, Tom? Not really?"

But David and Peter, behind them, had not much to say. They were the sort of friends who do not have to talk a lot to understand each other.

Once an owl drifted silently over their heads as the moon came up over the mountain and drenched the hillsides in silver. David looked up at him as he called his mournful cry.

"Reminds me of Witchend when I hear an owl... It's been a grand day, after all, Peter," was all he said.

12. Seven White Gates

Much to his fury, Dickie slept late the next morning. He dreamt that Uncle Micah, whirling a lassoo round his head and mounted on Sally, was chasing him round the black rocks of the Devil's Chair. The dream became a nightmare when, as he stumbled and fell, the rope caught his ankle. He struggled fiercely, but the grip tightened. He wriggled, twisted, and sat up in his sleeping-bag and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.