Angharad is chasing Laetitia – and she’s being chased in turn by Wizzie and Victor the St Bernard, with Mr Holmes and Dot riding close behind on Thunderer. And it’s back in the Dendringham Hall woods they go!
“Keep your head, down Dorothea!” shouted Mr Holmes, leaning forward in the saddle. “If we hit a branch, we’ll be off!”
“That’s me, I’m out!” said Mr Mouse, hiding himself away under the shoulder of Dot’s dress.
It was just like the last time they’d gone into the woods round Dendringham Hall, only this time of course it was in daylight, the sun streaming down through the branches and making a patterned carpet with the shadows of the leaves on the forest floor.
But it was much more dangerous than before – the trees hung very low over the path, just high enough for them to get underneath, but still whipping at them from time to time as they rushed past, Victor and Wiz out running in front of them again.
Crack! went a long thin branch on Mr Holmes’ head – just in time, he grabbed his funny hat before it fell off.
“Ha!” he went. “The thrill of the chase, eh Dorothea?”
“Oh – yes - ” said Dot breathlessly, digging her hands harder into Thunderer’s long thick mane and leaning forward so her head was down by the side of his neck. She could feel the big muscles in it moving and hear his deep breathing, as he cantered along with a strong, steady pace.
He seemed to be enjoying himself – and so did Mr Holmes, letting out a strange barking laugh from time to time. “Ha HA! Ha HA!!”
Suddenly, Thunderer swerved off to the left, and that was nearly the end of the chase for poor Dot!
She screamed as she slid down sideways, just managing to stop herself falling by grabbing at his reins and hooking her leg as tightly as she could over his back. Looking down she saw the ground rushing past less than a metre away.
“I’ve got you!” shouted Mr Holmes, hooking the reins into his left hand and reaching down and grabbing the shoulder of her dress to pull her back up. His long, thin hand was amazingly strong.
Luckily the dress Dot was wearing was made of thick, heavy Victorian cloth, If it had been her usual T-shirt it would have torn open in a flash and she’d have been off for sure!
“Steady Thunderer!” shouted Mr Holmes. “Whoaah, steady boy!”
But it was no use – the big horse was well in his stride now, weaving and twisting between the big tree trunks on each side of the overgrown path, his eyes staring, following the two dogs as they dashed ahead. It felt like they’d been riding this way for hours!
“He’s a hunter, this one!” panted Mr Holmes. “Used to following the hounds! He won’t stop till they do!”
But just as he spoke, they rode into a clearing – it was like a little round field in the middle of the Dendringham woods – and right there at the far end, a long slim red shape rushed across and zoomed into the trees to the right of the path, its bushy trail steaming out behind.
“Fox!” yelled Dot.
"YA-ROWLLL!!” went Victor! And he was off, galloping harder than ever, after the fox!
"YA-ROWLLL!!YA-ROWLLLLLL!!”
“Come BACK Victor!” yelled Wiz (not that Mr Holmes could hear him of course!) “Come BACK! We’ve got to catch up with Angharad!”
Too late! Victor was gone!
“Never mind him!” shouted Mr Holmes, as Thunderer checked, uncertain what to do. “He’ll be all right! Go on, Wizard old chap! Take us to Angharad!”
Wiz shook his head and shot forward again – turning sharply to the left, straight into what looked like a totally closed wall of bushes and trees!
And Thunderer was after him!
“Look OUT!” shouted Mr Holmes, as the big horse plunged into the trees. Dot hung on tighter than ever and closed her eyes.
There was a crashing and a snapping as Thunderer forced his way through. It seemed to go on for ever. Oh NO, thought Dot!
But then suddenly they were in another clearing – with an amazing sight before their eyes!
