so heavy a gloom descended on the Burgh that each
could scarcely have endured it without the other. And every day they
went forth in search of Hugh and Heriot, or of traces of them, but
found none.

Then it happened that on the first of May, which was Hugh's birthday,
Hobb, wandering further north than usual, to the brow of the great
ridge east of the Ouse, heard a wild roaring and bellowing on the
Downs; or rather, it was two separate roarings, as you may sometimes
hear two separate storms thundering at once over two ranges of hills.
And in astonishment he went first to Beddingham, and there, bound by an
iron chain to a stake beside a pond, he found a mighty lion, as white
as a young lamb. But he had not a lamb's meekness, for he ramped and
raved in a great circle around the stake, and his open throat set in
his shaggy mane looked like the red sun seen upon white mist. Hobb
rubbed his eyes and turned towards Ilford, where the second roaring
sought to outdo the first. And there beside another pond he found
another stake and chain, and a lion exactly similar, except that he was
as red as a rose. But he had not a rose's sweetness, for he snarled and
leaped with fury at the end of his chain, and his flashing teeth under
his red muzzle looked like the blossom of the scarlet runner.

And then, turning about for an explanation of these wonders, Hobb saw
what drove them from his mind--the figure of Hugh crouched in a little
hollow, and shaking like a leaf. Hobb ran towards him with a shout, and
at the shout Hugh leaped to his feet, with the eyes of a hunted hare,
and looked on all sides as though seeking where to hide. But Hobb was
soon beside him, with his arm round the boy's shoulder, and gazing
earnestly into his face.

"Why, lad," said he, "do you not know me again?"

Hugh stole a glance at him, and suddenly smiled and nodded, and tried
to answer, but could not for the chattering of his teeth. And he clung
hard to his brother's side, and shuddered from head to foot.

"Are you ill, Hugh?" Hobb asked him, bewildered at the boy's unlikeness
to himself.

"No, Hobb," said Hugh, "but need we stay here now?"

"Why, no," said Hobb gently, "we will go when you like. Where do these
beasts come from?"

Hugh set his lips and began to move away.

Hobb went beside him and said, "Lionel is home, but Heriot is lost.
Have you seen Heriot?"

Hugh hesitated, and then stammered, "No, I have not seen him."

And Hobb knew that he