Chapter 5

           Isatdownontheverycrestofthepassandtookstockofmyposition.

           Behindmewastheroadclimbingthroughalongcleftinthehills,whichwastheupperglenofsomenotableriver.Infrontwasaflatspaceofmaybeamile,allpittedwithbog-holesandroughwithtussocks,andthenbeyondittheroadfellsteeplydownanotherglentoaplainwhosebluedimnessmeltedintothedistance.Toleftandrightwereround-shoulderedgreenhillsassmoothaspancakes,buttothesouth—thatis,thelefthand—therewasaglimpseofhighheatherymountains,whichIrememberedfromthemapasthebigknotofhillwhichIhadchosenformysanctuary.Iwasonthecentralbossofahugeuplandcountry,andcouldseeeverythingmovingformiles.Inthemeadowsbelowtheroadhalfamilebackacottagesmoked,butitwastheonlysignofhumanlife.Otherwisetherewasonlythecallingofploversandthetinklingoflittlestreams.

           Itwasnowaboutseveno’clock,andasIwaitedIheardonceagainthatominousbeatintheair.ThenIrealizedthatmyvantage-groundmightbeinrealityatrap.Therewasnocoverforatomtitinthosebaldgreenplaces.

           Isatquitestillandhopelesswhilethebeatgrewlouder.ThenIsawanaeroplanecomingupfromtheeast.Itwasflyinghigh,butasIlookeditdroppedseveralhundredfeetandbegantocircleroundtheknotofhillinnarrowingcircles,justasahawkwheelsbeforeitpounces.Nowitwasflyingverylow,andnowtheobserveronboardcaughtsightofme.Icouldseeoneofthetwooccupantsexaminingmethroughglasses.