Part 72 (1/2)

Bob soon returned with a wine bottle full of milk and half a loaf, and a great pat of b.u.t.ter of golden yellow, with a wonderful cow printed upon it, the b.u.t.ter being wrapped in a rhubarb leaf, and the bread swung in Bob's dirty neckerchief.

”Here y'are!” he cried, as he stepped into the boat and pushed off quickly, as if he felt safer when they were on the move. ”We'll go lower down, and then I'll show you such a game.”

”Let's have some bread and b.u.t.ter first,” said Dexter.

”No, we won't; not till we get further away. We'll get some fish first and light a fire and cook 'em, and--pull away--I'll show yer.”

Dexter obeyed; but his curiosity was excited.

”Going to catch some more fis.h.!.+”

”You wait and you'll see,” was the reply; and in the expectation of a hearty meal matters looked more bright, especially as the day was glorious, and the scenery beautiful all round.

No signs of pursuit being seen, Dexter was ready to laugh with his companion now.

”I knew all the time,” said Bob, with superior wisdom in every intonation of his voice; ”I should only have liked to see them come.”

Dexter said nothing, and the next minute, as they were in a curve of the river, where it flowed dark and deep, they ran the boat in once more beside a meadow edged with pollard willows.

”Now then, I'll show you some fis.h.i.+ng,” cried Bob, as he secured the boat.

”No, not now: let's have something to eat first,” protested Dexter.

”Just you look here, young un, I'm captain,” cried Bob. ”Do you know what cray-fish are!”

Dexter shook his head.

”Well, then, I'm just going to show yer.”

The water was about two feet deep, and ran slowly along by a perpendicular clayey bank on the side where they were, and, deliberately undressing, Bob let himself down into the river, and then began to grope along by the side, stooping from time to time to thrust his hand into some hole.

”Here, undo that chain, and let her drift by me,” he cried. ”I shall fish all along here.”

Dexter obeyed--it seemed to be his fate to obey; and taking the boat-hook he held on easily enough by tree after tree, for there was scarcely any stream here, watching intently the while, as Bob kept on thrusting his hand into some hole.

”Oh!” cried Bob suddenly, as he leaned down as far as he could reach, and then rose slowly.

”Got one?”

”No: I missed him. It was an eel; I just felt him, and then he dodged back. Such a big un! They're so jolly hard to hold.”

This was exciting, and now Dexter began for the first time to be glad that he had come.

”I've got him now!” cried Bob excitedly; and, rising from a stooping position, in which his shoulder was right underneath, he threw a dingy-looking little fresh-water lobster into the boat.

Dexter examined it wonderingly, and was favoured with a nip from its claws for his attention.

”Here's another,” said Bob, and he threw one much larger into the boat, its h.o.r.n.y sh.e.l.l rattling on the bottom.

”Are they good to eat?” said Dexter.