"No, no! Certainly not." But even as he spoke Hilliard had a prevision of the truth. Although he would not admit as much as Esmeralda, there had been something in the Major's bearing which had struck him unpleasantly since the moment of meeting, and his reckless riding had deepened the impression. "You go on," he said earnestly, "and I will ride back and see. Perhaps he took a look at the brook and then had to come round after all, which would make him late. Please go on, Miss Joan." But Esmeralda looked him full in the eyes and turned her horse back towards the brook. "I am going back myself. If there has been an accident, it is I who should be there. Don't hinder me, Mr Hilliard. I must go to my father." CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. TROUBLE AT KNOCK. The Major was lying on the bank of the stream, white and motionless, while Black Bess was pawing the air in agony a few yards away. Esmeralda slipped from her saddle and ran to his side, and he opened his eyes and smiled at her feebly. "Joan, my girl! That's right. My--own--fault! I had no business to try it, but I was--mad, I think. That poor beast!" and he turned away his head, unable to look upon the animal's struggles. "I can't move. Get a cart--O'Brien's farm." "I'll go! I can see the chimneys. I'll bring help at once. I'll bring back men with me, and we'll lift him with less pain." Hilliard dashed off in the direction of the farm, and Joan knelt down and lifted her father's head on to her knee. He tried to smile encouragement into the ashen face. "It might have been worse, dear! She threw me clear of the water, and I've no pain. I shall be all right when I get home, and have a rest." "Yes, darling, yes. Of course you will," answered Esmeralda bravely. Accidents in the hunting-field were unfortunately no new thing to her, and her heart died within her as she looked at the helpless limbs, and heard her father's words. Over and over again had she heard old huntsmen marvel at the unconsciousness of those who were most mortally injured. Absence of pain, combined with loss of power in the limbs, meant serious injury to the spine, yet it seemed as if, with the comparative comfort of the body, there must be a dulling of the mental powers, since the victim frequently congratulated himself on his escape, and seemed to forget the experiences of others!