And it seemed so easy; they did not appear
to be putting forth any exertion; in spite of all he could do, he began
to lag a little; and so he thought he would mitigate their ardor by
engaging them in a little conversation.
"Roderick," said he, "do you think this neighborhood was ever
inhabited?"
"Inhabited?" said Roderick, turning in surprise. "Oh, ay, it was
inhabited ahlways--by foxes and eagles."
"Not by human beings?"
"Well, they would be ferry clever that could get a living out of land
like this," Roderick said, simply.
"But they say in the House of Commons that the deer-forests are
depriving a large portion of the population of a means of subsistence,"
Lionel observed--rather breathlessly, for these long strides were
fearful.
"Ay, do they say that now?" Roderick made answer, with much simplicity.
"In the House of Commons? I'm thinking there is some foolish men in the
House of Commons. Mebbe they would not like themselves to come here and
try to get their living out of rocks and peat-hags."
"But don't you think there may have been people in these parts before
the ancient forests rotted down into peat?" Lionel again inquired.
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