“I mind hearing my father say that yan hard winter after a wet back end o’ year, they let peat run doon t’ fell.  What has been done yance can be done again.”

Kit said nothing; for the other, by using a favorite motto, had banished his companions’ dislike of novelties.

“It was deeun no’ so long sin’,” another remarked.  “In my time, they browt slate doon on t’ stane-boats across the Fleet-pike scree.  Pushed them off at top and let them go.”

There was some further talk and when they resolved to make the experiment Kit went down the hill.  He said he wanted to see how the first sledge crossed an awkward pitch, but it counted for much that he saw a small figure below.  Grace looked satisfied with his excuse for joining her and they waited for a time while the men above moved the first load to the edge.  The sunshine had gone and it was getting cold; the shadows in the dale had faded from blue to dusky gray and the frost was keen.  All was very quiet, but now and then distant voices and the musical rattle of chains came down through the nipping air.

“It will be dark before they’re ready if they’re not quick,” said Kit, and Grace looked up the hill.

“I think they’re starting the sledge.  If there had been nobody about, I would have liked to come down with the peat.  You can’t imagine how exciting it is.”

They watched the sledge slip over the brow of the descent.  It got larger as it came down, but it did not run as fast as the toboggan.  One could see it rock and swerve, shaking off loose peats, where the ground was broken, and Grace glanced at the steep pitch Kit had come to watch.

“It will go down there with a splendid rush, but I don’t think it will upset,” she said.  “My plan is going to work.”

The sledge got nearer.  They saw the snow fly up about its front and heard the scream the runners made.  There was something fascinating about its smooth but fast descent, and as it approached the top of the dip they moved back rather unwillingly to let it pass.  When it was nearly level with them it slowed on the changing incline and Grace noted that there was a narrow space between the back of the frame and the peat.  She gave Kit a quick look as she said, “If one wanted, I think one could jump on.”

“Let’s try!” said Kit impulsively, and they ran forward.

He reached the sledge first, and throwing himself down held out his hand to Grace, who fell upon the runner log.  Kit pulled her up and although the light was going saw her face glow after the effort she had made.  Her eyes sparkled with excitement, but Kit felt half embarrassed because he did not know whether he had persuaded her to venture on an undignified adventure or she had persuaded him.  It was a relief to hear her laugh.

“This is rather ridiculous, and I don’t know if we can hold on,” she said as she tried to grasp the shaking peat.

The sledge ran faster and lurched violently as it plunged over the edge of the steep drop.  A shower of peat fell on them, the speed got furious, and they heard the runners scream, but they were sheltered from the rush of wind and could not see ahead.  After a few moments Grace looked up with twinkling eyes.