Their way home lay over Ashy Down, a lofty chalk promontory, round whose foot the river made a sudden bend. As they paced along over the dreary hedgeless stubbles, they both started, as a ghostly 'Ha! ha! ha! rang through the air over their heads, and was answered by a like cry, faint and distant, across the wolds. 'That's those stone-curlews at least, so I hope, said Tregarva.