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concerning it to the outside world。
44。 SANDBOURNE … A LONELY HEATH … THE 'RED LION' … THE HIGHWAY
It was half…past eleven before the Spruce； with Mountclere and Sol
Chickerel on board； had steamed back again to Sandbourne。 The
direction and increase of the wind had made it necessary to keep the
vessel still further to sea on their return than in going； that they
might clear without risk the windy； sousing； thwacking； basting；
scourging Jack Ketch of a corner called Old…Harry Point； which lay
about halfway along their track； and stood； with its detached posts
and stumps of white rock； like a skeleton's lower jaw； grinning at
British navigation。 Here strong currents and cross currents were
beginning to interweave their scrolls and meshes； the water rising
behind them in tumultuous heaps； and slamming against the fronts and
angles of cliff； whence it flew into the air like clouds of flour。
Who could now believe that this roaring abode of chaos smiled in the
sun as gently as an infant during the summer days not long gone by；
every pinnacle； crag； and cave returning a doubled image across the
glassy sea？
They were now again at Sandbourne； a point in their journey reached
more than four hours ago。 It became necessary to consider anew how
to accomplish the difficult remainder。 The wind was not blowing
much beyond what seamen call half a gale； but there had been enough
unpleasantness afloat to make landsmen glad to get ashore； and this
dissipated in a slight measure their vexation at having failed in
their purpose。 Still； Mountclere loudly cursed their confidence in
that treacherously short route； and Sol abused the unknown
Sandbourne man who had brought the news of the steamer's arrival to
them at the junction。 The only course left open to them now； short
of giving up the undertaking； was to go by the road along the shore；
which； curving round the various little creeks and inland seas
between their present position and Knollsea； was of no less length
than thirty miles。 There was no train back to the junction till the
next morning； and Sol's proposition that they should drive thither
in hope of meeting the mail…train； was overruled by Mountclere。
'We will have nothing more to do with chance；' he said。 'We may
miss the train； and then we shall have gone out of the way for
nothing。 More than that； the down mail does not stop till it gets
several miles beyond the nearest station for Knollsea； so it is
hopeless。'
'If there had only been a telegraph to the confounded place！'
'Telegraphwe might as well telegraph to the devil as to an old
booby and a damned scheming young widow。 I very much question if we
shall do anything in the matter； even if we get there。 But I
suppose we had better go on now？'
'You can do as you like。 I shall go on； if I have to walk every
step o't。'
'That's not necessary。 I think the best posting…house at this end
of the town is Tempett'swe must knock them up at once。 Which will
you doattempt supper here； or break the back of our journey first；
and get on to Anglebury？ We may rest an hour or two there； unless
you feel really in want of a meal。'
'No。 I'll leave eating to merrier men； who have no sister in the
hands of a cursed old Vandal。'
'Very well；' said Mountclere。 'We'll go on at once。'
An additional half…hour elapsed before they were fairly started； the
lateness and abruptness of their arrival causing delay in getting a
conveyance ready： the tempestuous night had apparently driven the
whole town； gentle and simple； early to their beds。 And when at
length the travellers were on their way the aspect of the weather
grew yet more forbidding。 The rain came down unmercifully； the
booming wind caught it； bore it across the plain； whizzed it against
the carriage like a sower sowing his seed。 It was precisely such
weather； and almost at the same season； as when Picotee traversed
the same moor； stricken with her great disappointment at not meeting
Christopher Julian。
Further on for several miles the drive lay through an open heath；
dotted occasionally with fir plantations； the trees of which told
the tale of their species without help from outline or colour； they
spoke in those melancholy moans and sobs which give to their sound a
solemn sadness surpassing even that of the sea。 From each carriage…
lamp the long rays stretched like feelers into the air； and somewhat
cheered the way； until the insidious damp that pervaded all things
above； around； and underneath； overpowered one of them； and rendered
every attempt to rekindle it ineffectual。 Even had the two men's
dislike to each other's society been less； the general din of the
night would have prevented much talking； as it was； they sat in a
rigid reticence that was almost a third personality。 The roads were
laid hereabouts with a light sandy gravel； which； though not
clogging； was soft and friable。 It speedily became saturated； and
the wheels ground heavily and deeply into its substance。
At length； after crossing from ten to twelve miles of these eternal
heaths under the eternally drumming storm； they could discern
eyelets of light winking to them in the distance from under a
nebulous brow of pale haze。 They were looking on the little town of
Havenpool。 Soon after this cross…roads were reached； one of which；
at right angles to their present direction； led down on the left to
that place。 Here the man stopped； and informed them that the horses
would be able to go but a mile or two further。
'Very well； we must have others that can；' said Mountclere。 'Does
our way lie through the town？'
'No； sirunless we go there to change horses； which I thought to
do。 The direct road is straight on。 Havenpool lies about three
miles down there on the left。 But the water is over the road； and
we had better go round。 We shall come to no place for two or three
miles； and then only to Flychett。'
'What's Flychett like？'
'A trumpery small bit of a village。'
'Still； I think we had better push on；' said Sol。 'I am against
running the risk of finding the way flooded about Havenpool。'
'So am I；' returned Mountclere。
'I know a wheelwright in Flychett；' continued Sol； 'and he keeps a
beer…house； and owns two horses。 We could hire them； and have a bit
of sommat in the shape of victuals； and then get on to Anglebury。
Perhaps the rain may hold up by that time。 Anything's better than
going out of our way。'
'Yes。 And the horses can last out to that place；' said Mountclere。
'Up and on again； my man。'
On they went towards Flychett。 Still the everlasting heath； the
black hills bulging against the sky； the barrows upon their round
summits like warts on a swarthy skin。 The storm blew huskily over
bushes of heather and furze that it was unable materially to
disturb； and the travellers proceeded as before。 But the horses
were now far from fresh； and the time spent in reaching the next
village was quite half as long as that taken up by the previous
heavy portion of the drive。 When they entered Flychett it was about
three。
'Now； where's the inn？' said Mountclere； yawning。
'Just on the knap；' Sol answered。 ''Tis a