"James," said he, "I was thinking that we ought to send for the
horses; - and the apples ought to be gathered too. Which is it best to
do?"
"I hardly know, sir," said James. "It is high time that the apples
were gathered, and yet we promised to send for the horses to-day."
"I can go and get the horses," said Marco, - "just as well as not.
Where is it?"
"Oh no," said his uncle. "It is ten or fifteen miles from here. Isn't
it, James?"
"Yes," said James, "by the road. I suppose it is about _four_
miles through the woods. I was intending to walk there, through the
woods, and then to come home round by the road. It is rather a rough
road for horses through the woods."
"Let cousin Forester and me go," said Marco. "I will go and ask him."
So Marco went and found Forester. When Forester heard of the plan
he was quite inclined to accede to it. He had been much engaged
in studying for some time, and had had very little exercise and
recreation, so that he was easily persuaded to undertake an
expedition. The plan was all soon agreed upon. The horses had been put
out to pasture at a farmer's up the river about twelve miles. In going
that twelve miles the river took a great turn, so that in fact the
farm where the horses were pastured was not, in a straight line,
more than four miles from Mr. Forester's house.
