But Sally proved troublesome. David caught her easily enough, for she knew him well by now, and they did not have much difficulty in saddling and bridling her. But when it came to fixing the bundles to her back, she objected. She was a mountain-bred pony who knew Peter's mind and hands and hated anyone else on her back. David she tolerated, but to be a pack-horse had no appeal, and they had many struggles with her before she suffered the bundles to be strapped across the saddle.

At last the expedition was ready to start. With white, tense faces the twins stood by their bicycles as their mother came over and kissed them.

"Take care, David," she said, "And don't do anything stupid. Mrs. Sterling didn't say exactly how long you were to stay, but I can trust you not to overstay your welcome, and I expect you to come back with Peter and her father... Good-bye, twins. Promise you'll be good and do what David says?"

"All right," said Dickie. "We swear."

"Thank you for letting us go," said Mary.

Then it was that David had his awful idea.

"What a fool I've been," he shouted. "What a fool! We oughtn't to take bikes, for we'll never get them across the Stiperstones. I'm sure we shan't. It's sure to be too steep and rough, and the twins couldn't possibly push loaded bikes up the mountain... And if we cycle round the longer way I don't think I can lead Sally all that distance. What shall we do?"

"Cycle as far as the road allows, David, and leave your cycles somewhere at the foot of the mountain to be called for. Didn't you say that there's an inn there? The twins must ride as far as they can."

And so it was decided. Macbeth, looking very woebegone and apprehensive, was lifted into Reuben's basket now firmly fixed on Mary's carrier. It was a beautiful basket, but he hated it and jumped out three times. At last Mary spoke to him seriously and pointed out that unless he behaved himself he would have to be left behind. At this fearful threat, he put back his ears, showed the white of his eyes, and trembling all over, crouched down in his new carriage.

Then the cavalcade started.

"Lots of fun and come back soon," their mother called, and walked over to close the gate behind them.

David went first, cycling slowly, and leading the indignant Sally. It was a tricky and difficult task, and he wobbled ominously in the lane as he led the way down to Ingles with the twins chattering behind him. Then he realized that they had not yet heard from Tom, but, as they neared the farm gate, he saw Tom and his uncle cross the farmyard. He whistled the Peewit call and Tom stopped and looked up towards them. Then he ran over to the gate and Mr. Ingles himself followed slowly.