ome to the conclusion that they had meant mischief; but heard Macey
coming, perhaps the others, for he argued that they could not be very
far away.

Vane laughed to himself, as he advanced slowly, for he knew the part he
was in well enough, and it amused him as he fought his way on, to think
of the struggles Macey, a London boy, was having to get through the
tangle of briar and furze. For he had often spent an hour in the place
with the doctor, collecting buckthorn and coral-moss, curious lichens,
sphagnum, and the round, and long-leaved sundews, or butterwort: for all
these plants abounded here, with the bramble and bracken. There were
plenty of other bog plants, too, in the little pools and patches of
water, while the dry, gravelly and sandy mounds here and there were well
known to him as the habitat of the long-legged parasol mushrooms, whose
edible qualities the doctor had taught him in their walks.

"Poor old Macey!" he said, as he leaped over or parted the great thorny
strands of the brambles laden with their luscious fruit which grew here
in abundance, and then he stopped short and laughed, for a yell came
from his fellow-pupil, who had also stopped.

"Come on," cried Vane.

"Can't! I'm caught by ten million thorns. Oh, I say, do come and help
a fellow out."

Vane backed a little way, and selecting an easier path, soon reached the
spot where Macey was standing with his head and shoulders only visible.

"Why didn't you pick your way?" he cried.

"Couldn't," said Macey dolefully; "the thorns wouldn't let me. I say,
do come."

"All right," said Vane, confidently, but the task was none too easy, for
Macey had floundered into the densest patch of thorny growth anywhere
near, and the slightest movement meant a sharp prick from blackberry,
rose, or furze.

"Whatever made you try to cross this bit?" said Vane, who had taken out
his knife to divide some of the strands.

"I was trying to find the lane. Haven't seen one about anywhere, have
you?"

"Why, of course I have," said Vane, laughing at his friend's doleful
plight. "It's close by."

"I began to think somebody had taken it away. Oh! Ah! I say--do mind;
you're tearing my flesh."

"But I must cut you out. Now then, lift that leg and put your foot on
this bramble."

"It's all very fine to talk, but I shall be in rags when I do get out."

"That's better: now the other. There, now, put your hand on my shoulder
and give a jump."

"I daren'