The Open road (9)

The Open Road (9)

They had a pleasant ramble that day over grassy downs and along  narrow lanes, and camped as before, only this time the two guests took care that Toad should do his share of work.

Next day they have  their way lay across country by narrow lanes, as before, and it was not till the afternoon that they came out on the high road, their first high road.

There, the disaster sprang out on them.

They were strolling along the high road easily, the Mole by the horse's head, talking to him, since the horse had complained that he was being frightfully left out of it, and nobody considered him in the least.

The Toad and the Water Rat walking behind the cart talking togetherーat least Toad was talking, and Rat was saying at intervals, " Yes, precisely. "

Suddenly far behind them they heard a faint warning hum, like the drone of a distant bee.

Glancing back, they saw a small cloud of dust, with a dark sentre of energy, advancing on them at incredible speed.

(9/20)