Part 31 (2/2)
”I'm coming back now,” cried Scarlett; and his voice was plainly heard, after which Fred sat watching the water, rapidly draining away with less and less violence, till he heard a shout, answered it, and soon after Scarlett came along, forcing his way through the hazels till he reached the edge of the lake, and, by the help of one of the boughs of the birch, swung himself lightly into the boat, and began looking curiously at the opening, nearly hidden by the growth, through which the water still poured.
”No wonder we could not find the place,” he said, as he at once placed the right construction on the presence of the water; ”and, do you know, all that could not have come from the lake.”
”Where could it have come from, then?”
”It must have drained in by degrees from the sides in wet weather, and the stones at the end dammed it up, so that it couldn't get away.”
”Nonsense! The water would have pushed the stones down.”
”It did, as soon as I pushed too. The wall was only just strong enough before.”
”I tell you it must have run in from the lake.”
”It couldn't, Fred. The bottom of the pa.s.sage is higher; and when I came out the water was only just over my shoes. By to-morrow you see if it isn't drained right out. There, you see, it has pretty well stopped now.”
Scarlett was quite right, for the water was now flowing out silently, and in very small volume.
”Well, we will not argue about it,” said Fred. ”Perhaps you're right, but I don't think you are. Anyhow, we've found the way in, and you couldn't have done it without me.”
”No; nor you without me, Fred.”
”No; and I say--Oh!”
”What's the matter?”
”Don't I want my breakfast.”
”Yes; it must be nearly time. Come up and have some with me.”
Fred shook his head.
”No,” he said. ”Your father did not seem to want me there last night.”
”Nonsense!”
”Oh no, it was not. You come home with me. What's that?”
Scarlett listened, for there was a rustling and cras.h.i.+ng noise, as of some animal forcing its way down through the hazel stubs to get to the edge of the lake to drink.
They waited breathlessly as the sounds grew nearer, and then stopped.
The silence only lasted a minute, and then plainly enough came a familiar voice.
”I thought it was just here. Now, where have they got themselves to?”
Then the rustling was continued, and Nat came into sight.
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