Part 13 (1/2)

”But that is all the better,” said Roger, ”because we shall get a good place.”

Presently the pen, made of four hurdles, was ready, the pigs safely in it, and the boys took their station in front of it and waited events.

Donnington market was a large one, well attended by all the fanners for miles round; gradually they came rattling up in their carts and gigs, or jogging along on horseback, casting shrewd glances at the various beasts which had already been driven in. Some of the men knew the boys quite well, and greeted them with, ”Fine day, sir,” and a broad stare of surprise.

By the time the cathedral clock had sounded nine the market was in full swing.

A medley of noises. The lowing of cattle, the bleating of sheep, the squeak of some outraged pig, mixed with the shouts of the drovers and the loud excited voices of buyers and sellers. In the midst of all this turmoil the little boys stood steadily at their post, looking up anxiously as some possible buyer elbowed his way past and stopped a minute to notice the black pigs; but none got further than ”Good-day, sir,” and a grin of amus.e.m.e.nt.

So the day wore on. They had brought their dinner tied up in Roger's handkerchief, and some acorns for the pigs, so at one o'clock they all had a little meal together. There was a lull just then, for most of the farmers had poured into the ”Blue Boar” to dinner, and the people who were left were engaged in steadily munching the contents of the baskets they had brought with them.

Roger and Gabriel had not lost heart yet, and still hoped to sell the pigs, but they certainly began to feel very tired, especially Gabriel, who, having remained manfully upright all the morning, now felt such an aching in the legs that he was obliged to take a seat on a basket turned upside down.

The afternoon waned, it grew a little dusk, still no buyer. Soon the boys knew that they must begin their long drive home. But, to take the pigs back again; it was too heartrending to think of.

Then there was suddenly a little bustle in the market, and people moved aside to let a new-comer pa.s.s down the narrow s.p.a.ce between the pens opposite to where the boys had placed themselves. It was a broad comely gentleman of middle age, dressed in riding-boots, and cords, and a faded green coat. He had a riding-whip in his hand, with which he touched the brim of his hat in acknowledgment of the greetings round him; his dog followed close on his heels. There was a pleased recognition on all the faces, for everyone liked Squire Dale; he was a bold rider, and a good shot, and a kind landlord.

”Hullo, boys,” he said cheerily, for he knew Roger and Gabriel well, ”what are you doing here? Is your father in the town?”

”N-n-no,” replied Roger, stammering very much; ”we c-came to sell our p-p-p-pigs.”

”And we can't,” put in Gabriel rather mournfully from his basket.

The squire's eyes twinkled, though his face was perfectly grave.

”Pigs, eh?” he said. ”Whose pigs are they?”

”Our pigs,” said Gabriel; ”and if we sell them, we've got a plan.”

The squire stood planted squarely in front of them with his hands in his pockets, looking down at the serious little figures without speaking.

”Tiring work marketing, eh?” he said at last.

”G-Gabriel _is_ a little tired,” replied Roger glancing at his younger brother, whose face was white with fatigue.

”Well, now,” continued Squire Dale, ”it's an odd thing, but I just happened to be walking through the market to see if I could find some likely pigs for myself. But,” with a glance at the dusky occupants of the pen, ”they _must_ be black.”

Gabriel forgot that he was tired.

”They're beautiful black pigs,” he cried, jumping up eagerly, ”as black as they can be. Berks.h.i.+re pigs. Look at them.”

So the squire looked at them; and not only looked at them, but asked the price and bought them, putting the money into a very large weather-beaten purse of Roger's; and presently the two happy boys were seated opposite to him in the parlour of the ”Blue Boar” enjoying a substantial tea.

With renewed spirits they chatted away to their kind host, whose jolly brown face beamed with interest and good-humour as he listened. At last Gabriel put down his tea-cup with a deep-drawn sigh of contentment, and said to his brother mysteriously:

”Shall we tell about the plan?”

Roger nodded. He could not speak just then, for he was in the act of taking a large mouthful of bread and jam.