Peter hung on and tried to turn her head to see how near they were to the corner. They were perilously close, but the horse, now blowing pitiably, and with wildly rolling eyes, was coming to his senses. Peter's right arm did not seem to belong to her, but she held on grimly even though her body swung back and hit the shaft. At last she got her feet properly onto the road, and ran with the terrified horse as its canter slowed to a trot. On the very brink of the hill, it stopped and Peter let go.

For a moment or two her legs would not support her and she had to lean against the bank. She was trembling violently, and looking up she saw that the pony was doing the same. After a little, Peter stood up, felt herself all over, and noticed that her left shoe was split and her right knee bleeding.

Then she turned to the horse. Peter had a way with horses. She put her hand on his muzzle and patted him with the other and soothed him with her voice. He turned and nuzzled at her arm and gradually his trembling stopped. Then she led him forward a few steps, and the caravan lurched off the verge to the level of the road. She was just about to turn him when the gispy reached them. His face was white under the sunburn and he was too breathless to speak. He held his hand to his side and tried to smile as the little girl went up to him and started to chatter in what Peter imagined to be Romany.

They made an odd group. The sunshine dappled the road through the overhanging trees and picked out the bright colours of the caravan. The pony, his coat now black with sweat, stood quietly enough with Peter's hand still on the bridle. Peter herself felt rather awkward and shy, and was aware of the blood trickling down her leg on to her socks, and also that her shorts were covered with dirt and that tomorrow she would have a bruise as big as a dinner plate on her left thigh.

When the child had finished her story, the man came forward with dignity, and said: "You have done much for us. It was well and bravely done, and you will come with us please, so that the child's mother may pay you honour too..." Before she could answer he took the horse's head from her and turned him in the road. Then he examined the harness and the wheels and shafts of the caravan before opening the door at the back. Peter peeped in, and was astonished to see so little disturbance. The man saw that the stove was safe and then asked Peter to bring over her bicycle.