Quicksilver; or, The Boy With No Skid To His Wheel, by George ManvilleFenn. 

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I don't know where they get titles for books from. The subtitle is "TheBoy with no Skid to his Wheel", and that is the only mention of the word"skid" in the entire book. The only "wheel" mentioned is when the boyhero does cartwheels round the drawing-room. And the said boy isreferred to as "a globule of quicksilver". So I suppose it is somethingthe author had in his mind before he began the book. 

Unlike most of Fenn's books, which involve dire situations with piratesin the China Seas, and other such places, the entire action of this booktakes place in a small English village. The local doctor, havingretired childless, decides he would like to adopt a boy. Being aGovernor of the local Institute for the Poor he goes there and selects aboy who at the age of two had been a foundling, and who is now eleven ortwelve. 

Everyone is keen to make this work, but there is a big difference insocial manners between a boy brought up in an Institute, and the boy thedoctor would like to have. So a certain amount of retraining has totake place. Of course this is successful in the end, but there are alot of blips long the way. Our hero makes friends with a local boy whois definitely "non-U". They run away together in a boat they havenicked for the purpose. For a few days they have various adventures, some enjoyable, but most of them not. 

On being brought back our hero is sent to a small private school run bya clergyman, who beats the boy mercilessly, so that he runs away fromthe school, back to the doctor's, but remains hidden in an out-house. He is found, but becomes very ill, so the whole household is taken to arented house in the Isle of Wight, where he eventually recovers. Atwhich point it is discovered who his real parents are, and he is "U"after all, so everyone feels good about it. 

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QUICKSILVER; OR, THE BOY WITH NO SKID TO HIS WHEEL, BY GEORGE MANVILLEFENN. 

CHAPTER ONE. 

A VERY STRANGE PAIR. 

He was very grubby, and all about his dark grey eyes there were themarks made by his dirty fingers where he had rubbed away the ticklingtears. The brownish red dust of the Devon lanes had darkened hisdelicate white skin, and matted his shiny yellow curls. 

As to his hands, with their fat little fingers, with every joint showinga pretty dimple, they looked white and clean, but that was due to thefact that he was sitting in a bed of moss by the roadside, where thewater came trickling down from the red rocks above, and dabbling andsplashing the tiny pool, till the pearly drops hung among his dustycurls, and dotted, as if with jewels, the ragged old blue jersey shirtwhich seemed to form his only garment. 

This did not fit him, in spite of its elasticity, for it was what adealer would have called "man's size, " and the wearer was about two anda half, or at the most three; but the sleeves had been cut so that theyonly reached his elbows, and the hem torn off the bottom and turned intoa belt or sash, which was tied tightly round the little fellow's waist, to keep the jersey from slipping off. 

Consequently the plump neck was bare, as were his dirty little legs, with their dimpled, chubby knees. 

While he splashed and dabbled the water, the sun flashed upon the drops, some of which jewelled the spreading ferns which drooped over thenatural fount, and even reached as high as the delicate leafage ofstunted overhanging birch, some of whose twigs kept waving in the softsummer breeze, and sweeping against the boy's curly hair. 

When the little fellow splashed the water, and felt it fly into hisface, he laughed--burst after burst of silvery, merry laughter; and inthe height of his enjoyment he threw back his head, his ruddy lipsparted, and two rows of pearly teeth flashed in the bright sunshine. 

As dirty a little grub as ever made mud-pies in a gutter; but the water, the ferns, moss, and flowers around were to his little soul the mostdelightful of toys, and he seemed supremely happy. 

After a time he grew tired of splashing the water, and, drawing onelittle foot into his lap, he pursed up his lips, an intent frownwrinkled his shining forehead, and he began, in the most serio-comicmanner, to pick the row of tiny toes, passing a chubby finger betweenthem to get rid of the dust and grit. 

All this while the breeze blew, the birch-tree waved, and the flowersnodded, while from out of a clump of ling and rushes there came, atregular intervals, a low roar like the growl of a wild beast. 

After a few minutes there was the _pad, pad_--_pad, pad_ of a horse'shoofs on the dusty road; the rattle of wheels; and a green gig, drawn bya sleepy-looking grey horse, and containing a fat man and a broad woman, came into sight, approached slowly, and would have passed had not thebroad woman suddenly laid her hand upon the reins, and checked the greyhorse, when the two red-faced farming people opened their mouths, andstared at the child. 

"Sakes alive, Izick, look at that!" said the woman in a whisper, whilethe little fellow went on picking his toes, and the grey horse turnedhis tail into a live chowry to keep away the flies. 

"Well, I am!" said the fat man, wrinkling his face all over as heindulged in a silent laugh. "Why, moother, he's a perfeck picter. "

"The pretty, pretty little fellow, " said the woman in a genuine motherlytone. "O Izick, how I should like to give him a good wash!"

"Wash! He's happy enough, bless him!" said the man. "Wonder whose hebe. Here, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to give un a kiss, that's what I'm a-going to do, " said thewoman getting very slowly out of the gig. "He must be a lost child. "

"Well, " grumbled the man, "we didn't come to market to find lostchildren. "

Then he sat forward, with his arms resting upon his knees, watching hiswife as she slowly approached the unconscious child, till she was in theact of stooping over him to lay her fat red hand upon his golden curls, when there was a loud roar as if from some savage beast, and the womanjumped back scared; the horse leaped sidewise; the farmer raised hiswhip; and the pair of simple-hearted country folks stared at afierce-looking face which rose out of the bed of ling, its owner havingbeen sleeping face downward, and now glowering at them above his foldedarms. 

It was not a pleasant countenance, for it was foul without with dirt andmore foul within from disease, being covered with ruddy fiery blotch andpimple, and the eyes were of that unnatural hue worn by one who has foryears been debased by drink. 

"Yah!" roared the man, half-closing his bleared eyes. "Leave the bairnalone. "

"O Izick!" gasped the woman. 

"Here, none o' that!" cried the farmer fiercely. "Don't you frighten mywife. "

"Let the bairn alone, " growled the man again. 

"How came you by him!" said the woman recovering herself. "I'm sure hecan't be your'n. "

"Not mine!" growled the man in a hoarse, harsh voice. "You let thebairn be. I'll soon show you about that. Hi! chick!"

The little fellow scrambled to him, and putting his tiny chubby armsabout the man's coarse neck, nestled his head upon his shoulder, andturned to gaze at the farmer and his wife. 

"Not my bairn!" growled the man; "what d'yer say to that?"

"Lor, Izick, only look, " said the woman in a whisper. "My!"

"Well, what are yer starin' at?" growled the man defiantly; "didn'tthink he were your bairn, did you!"

"Come away, missus, " said the farmer; and the woman reluctantly climbedback into the gig. 

"It don't seem right, Izick, for him to have such a bairn as that, " saidthe woman, who could not keep her eyes off the child. 

"Ah, well! it ar'n't no business of our'n. Go along!"

This was to the horse, who went off directly in a shambling trot, andthe gig rattled along the road; but as long as they remained in sight, the farmer's wife stared back at the little fellow, and therough-looking tramp glared at her from among the heather and ling. 

"Must be getting on--must be getting on, " he growled to himself; and hekept on muttering in a low tone as he tried to stagger to his feet, butfor a time his joints seemed to be so stiff that he could only get tohis knees, and he had to set the child down. 

Then after quite a struggle, during which he kept on muttering in astrange incoherent manner, he contrived to get upon his feet, and stoodholding on by a branch of the birch-tree, while the child stared in hisrepellent face. 

The next minute he staggered into the road and began to walk away, reeling strangely like a drunken man, talking wildly the while; but heseemed to recall the fact that he had left the child behind, and hestaggered back to where a block of stone lay by the water-side, and satdown. "Here, chick!" he growled. 

His aspect and the tone of his voice were sufficient to frighten thelittle fellow away, but he did not seem in the least alarmed, and placedhis tiny hands in the great gnarled fists extended to him. Then with aswing the man threw the child over his shoulder and on to his back, staggering and nearly overbalancing himself in the act. But he kept hisfeet, and growled savagely as his little burden uttered a whimperingcry. 

"Hold on, " he said; and the next minute the pretty bare arms wereclinging tightly round his neck, the hands hidden in the man's grizzlytangled beard; and, pig-a-back fashion, he bore him on along the road. 

The sun beat down upon the fair curly head; the dust rose, shuffled upby the tramp's uncertain step, while the chats and linnets twitteredamong the furze, and the larks sang high overhead. This and the heat, combined with the motion, sufficed to lull the tiny fellow to rest, andbefore long his head drooped sidewise, and he was fast asleep. 

But he did not fall. It was as if the natural instinct which enablesthe young life to maintain its hold upon the old orang-outang was inforce here, so that the child clung tightly to the staggering man, whoseemed thenceforth oblivious of his existence. 

The day passed on: the sun was setting fast, and the tramp continued tostagger on like a drunken man, talking wildly all the time, now babblingof green leaves, now muttering angrily, as if abusing some one near. 

Then came the soft evening-time, as he tottered down a long slopetowards the houses lying in a hollow, indicating the existence of agoodly town. 

And now groups of people were passed, some of whom turned to gaze afterthe coarse-looking object with disgust, others with wonder; while themore thoughtless indulged in a grin, and made remarks indicating theirimpressions of where the tramp had been last. 

He did not seem to see them, however, but kept on the same incoherenttalking in a low growl, and his eyes glared strangely at objects unseenby those he passed. 

All at once, though, he paused as he reached the broad marketplace ofthe town, and said to one of a group of idlers the one word--

"Workus?"

"Eh?"

"Workus!" said the tramp fiercely. 

"Oh! Straight avore you. Zee a big wall zoon as yer get over thebridge. "

The man staggered on, and crossed the swift river running through thetown, and in due course reached the big wall, in which was a doorwaywith a bell-pull at the side. 

A few minutes later the door had been opened, and a stalwart porterseemed disposed to refuse admission, but his experienced eyes read theapplicant's state, and the door closed upon the strangely assorted pair. 

CHAPTER TWO. 

THE TRAMP'S LEGACY. 

The doctor shook his head as he stood beside a plain bed in awhitewashed ward where the tramp lay muttering fiercely, and thebrisk-looking master of the workhouse and a couple of elderly womenstood in a group. 

"No, Hippetts, " said the doctor; "the machinery is all to pieces andbeyond repair. No. "

Just then there was a loud cry, consequent upon one of the women takingthe child from where it had been seated upon the foot of the bed, andcarrying it toward the door. 

In a moment the sick man sprang up in bed, glaring wildly and stretchingout his hands. 

"Quick! take the boy away, " said the master; but the doctor held up hisfinger, watching the sick man the while. 

Then he whispered a few words to the master, who seemed to give anunwilling consent, and the boy was placed within the tramp's reach. 

The man had been trying to say something, but the words would not come. As he touched the child's hand, though, he gave vent to a sigh ofsatisfaction, and sank back upon the coarse pillow, while the childnestled to his side, sobbing convulsively, but rapidly calming down. 

"Against all rule and precedent, doctor, " said the master, in anill-used tone. 

"Yes, my dear Mr Hippetts, " said the doctor, smiling; "but I order itas a sedative medicine. It will do more good than anything I can give. It will not be for long. "

The master nodded. 

"Mrs Curdley, " continued the doctor, "you will sit up with him. "

"Yes, sir, " said one of the old women with a curtsey. 

"Keep an eye to the child, in case he turns violent; but I don't thinkhe will--I don't think he will. "

"And send for you, sir, if he do!"

"Yes. "

The little party left the workhouse infirmary, all but Mrs Curdley, whosaw to lighting a fire for providing herself with a cup of tea, tocomfort her from time to time during her long night-watch, and then allwas very still in the whitewashed place. 

The child took the bread and butter the old woman gave him, and sat onthe bed smiling at her as he ate it hungrily, quite contented now; andthe only sounds that broke the silence after a time were the mutteringsof the sick man. 

But these did not disturb the child, who finished his bread and butter, and drank some sweet tea which the old woman gave him, after which hislittle head sank sidewise, his eyes closed, and he fell fast asleep onthe foot of the bed. 

The night was warm, and he needed no coverlet, while from time to timethe hard-faced old woman went to look at her patient, giving him acursory glance, and then stopping at the bedside to gently stroke thechild's round cheek with her rough finger, and as the little fellow oncebroke into a crowing laugh in his sleep, it had a strange effect uponthe old nurse, who slowly wiped the corners of her eyes with her apron, and bent down and kissed him. 

Hour after hour was chimed and struck by the great clock in the centreof the town; and as midnight passed, the watchful old nurse did herwatching in a pleasant dream, in which she thought that she was oncemore young, and that boy of hers who enlisted, went to India, and wasshot in an encounter with one of the hill tribes, was young again, andthat she was cutting bread and butter from a new loaf. 

It was a very pleasant dream, and lasted a long time, for the sixo'clock bell was ringing before she awoke with a start and exclaimed--

"Bless me! must have just closed my eyes. Why, a pretty bairn!" shesaid softly, as her hard face grew soft. "Sleeping like a top, and--oh!"

She caught the sleeping child from the bed, and hurried out of the placeto lay him upon her own bed, where about an hour after he awoke, andcried to go to the tramp. 

But there was no tramp there for him to join. The rough man had gone ona long journey, where he could not take the child, who cried bitterly, as if he had lost the only one to whom he could cling, till the oldwoman returned from a task she had had to fulfil, and with one of herpockets in rather a bulgy state. 

Her words and some bread and butter quieted the child, who seemed tolike her countenance, or read therein that something which attracts thevery young as beauty does those of older growth, and the addition of alittle brown sugar, into which he could dip a wet finger from time totime, made them such friends that he made no objection to being washed. 

"Yes, sir; went off quite quiet in his sleep, " said the old nurse inanswer to the doctor's question. 

"And the child?"

"Oh, I gave him a good wash, sir, which he needed badly, " said the womanvolubly. 

"Poor little wretch!" muttered the doctor as he went away. "A tramp'schild--a waif cast up by the way. Ah, Hippetts, I was right, you see:it was not for long. "

CHAPTER THREE. 

DOCTOR GRAYSON'S THEORY. 

"I want some more. "

"Now, my dear Eddy, I think you have had quite as much as is good foryou, " said Lady Danby, shaking her fair curls at her son. 

"No, I haven't, ma. Pa, may I have some pine-apple!"

"Yes, yes, yes, and make yourself ill. Maria, my dear, I wish youwouldn't have that boy into dessert; one can hardly hear one's-selfspeak. "

"Sweet boy!" muttered Dr Grayson of the Manor House, Coleby, as heglanced at Sir James Danby's hopeful fat-faced son, his mother's idol, before which she worshipped every day. 

The doctor glanced across the table at his quiet lady-like daughter, andthere was such a curious twinkle in his eye that she turned aside so asto keep her countenance, and began talking to Lady Danby about parishwork, the poor, and an entertainment to be given at the workhouse. 

Dr Grayson and his daughter were dining at Cedars House that evening, greatly to the doctor's annoyance, for he preferred home. 

"But it would be uncivil not to go, " said Miss Grayson, who had kept herfather's house almost from a child. So they went. 

"Well, doctor, " said Sir James, who was a comfortable specimen of theeasy-going country baronet and magistrate, "you keep to your opinion, and I'll keep to mine. "

"I will, " said the doctor; "and in two years' time I shall publish mybook with the result of my long studies of the question. I say, sir, that a boy's a boy. "

"Oh yes, we all agree to that, doctor, " said Lady Danby sweetly. "Edgar, my dear, I'm sure you've had enough. "

"Pa, mayn't I have half a glass of Madeira!"

"Now, my dear boy, you have had some. "

"But that was such a teeny weeny drop, ma. That glass is so thick. "

"For goodness' sake, Maria, give him some wine, and keep him quiet, "cried Sir James. "Don't you hear that Dr Grayson and I are discussinga point in philosophy!"

"Then you mustn't ask for any more, Eddy dear, " said mamma, and sheremoved the decanter stopper, and began to pour out a very thin threadof wine, when the young monkey gave the bottom of the decanter a tilt, and the glass was nearly filled. 

"Eddy, for shame!" said mamma. "What will Miss Grayson think?"

"I don't care, " said the boy, seizing the glass, drinking some of therich wine, and then turning to the thick slice of pine-apple his motherhad cut. 

The doctor gave his daughter another droll look, but she preserved hercalm. 

"To continue, " said the doctor: "I say a boy's a boy, and I don't carewhose he is, or where he came from; he is so much plastic clay, and youcan make of him what you please. "

"You can't make him a gentleman, " said Sir James. 

"I beg your pardon. "

"And I beg yours. If the boy has not got breed in him--gentle blood--you can never make him a gentleman. "

"I beg your pardon, " said the doctor again. "I maintain, sir, that itis all a matter of education or training, and that you could make agentleman's son a labourer, or a labourer's son a gentleman. "

"And are you going to put that in your book, doctor?"

"Yes, sir, I am: for it is a fact. I'm sure I'm right. "

Sir James laughed. 

"And I'm sure you are wrong. Look at my boy, now. You can see in aninstant that he has breed in him; but if you look at my coachman's son, you will see that he has no breeding at all. "

_Crork, crork, crork, crork_. 

"Oh!" from her ladyship, in quite a scream. 

"Good gracious!" cried Sir James; and the doctor and Helen Grayson bothstarted to their feet, while Master Edgar Danby kept on making the mostunearthly noises, kicking, gasping, turning black in the face, androlling his eyes, which threatened to start from their sockets. 

"What is it?" cried Sir James. 

Crash went a glass. A dessert-plate was knocked off the table, andMaster Edgar kept on uttering his hoarse guttural sound of _crork, crork, crork_!

He was choking, and the result might have been serious as he satstruggling there, with papa on one side, and mamma on the other, holdinghis hands, had not Dr Grayson come behind him, and given him atremendous slap on the back which had a beneficial effect, for he ceasedmaking the peculiar noise, and began to wipe his eyes. 

"What was it, dear? what was it, my darling?" sobbed Lady Danby. 

"A great piece of pine-apple stuck in his throat, " said the doctor. "Isay, youngster, you should use your teeth. "

"Edgar, drink some water, " said Sir James sternly. 

Master Edgar caught up his wine-glass, and drained it. 

"Now, sir, leave the room!" said Sir James. 

"Oh, don't, don't be harsh with him, James, " said her ladyshippathetically. "The poor boy has suffered enough. "

"I say he shall leave the room, " cried Sir James in a towering fury; andMaster Edgar uttered a howl. 

"Really, James, I--"

Here her ladyship had an hysterical fit, and had to be attended to, whattime Master Edgar howled loudly till the butler had been summoned and hewas led off like a prisoner, while her ladyship grew worse, but underthe ministrations of Helen Grayson, suddenly becoming better, drank aglass of water, and wiped her eyes. 

"I am so weak, " she said unnecessarily, as she rose from thedessert-table and left the room with Helen Grayson, who had hard workonce more to keep her countenance, as she encountered her father's eye. 

"Spoils him, Grayson, " said Sir James, as they settled down to theirport. "Noble boy, though, wonderful intellect. I shall make him astatesman. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the firm-looking grey-haired doctor, who had takenhigh honours at his college, practised medicine for some years, andsince the death of his wife lived the calm life of a student in the oldManor House of Coleby. 

"Now, you couldn't make a statesman of some boys whom you took out ofthe gutter. "

"Oh yes, I could, " said the doctor. "Oh yes, sir. "

"Ah, well; we will not argue, " said Sir James good-humouredly. 

"No, " said the doctor, "we will not argue. "

But they did argue all the same, till they had had their coffee, whenthey argued again, and then joined the ladies in the drawing-room, whereMaster Edgar was eating cake, and dropping currants and crumbs betweenthe leaves of a valuable illustrated book, which he turned over withfingers in a terrible state of stick, --the consequence being that headded illustrations--prints of his fingers in brown. 

"Have you settled your debate, Dr Grayson!" said Lady Danby, smiling. 

"No, madam; I shall have to prove my theory to your husband, and it willtake time. "

"My dear James, what is the matter!" said her ladyship as a howl arose. 

"Pa says I'm to go to bed, ma, and it's only ten; and you promised me Imight sit up as long as I liked. "

"How can you make such foolish promises, Maria?" said Sir Jamespetulantly. "There, hold your tongue, sir, and you may stay anotherhalf-hour. "

"But ma said I might stop up as long as I liked, " howled Master Edgar. 

"Then for goodness' sake stop up all night, sir, " said Sir Jamesimpatiently; and Master Edgar stayed till the visitors had gone. 

"Enjoyed your evening, my dear?" said the doctor. 

"Ye-es, papa, " said his daughter; "I--"

"Might have enjoyed it more. Really, Helen, it is absurd. That manopposed my theory tooth and nail, and all the time he kept on proving itby indulging that boy. I say you can make what you like of a boy. Nowwhat's he making of that boy?"

"Sir James said he should make him a statesman, " said Helen, smiling. 

"But he is making him a nuisance instead. Good-night. "

"Good-night, papa. "

"Oh, by the way, my dear, I shall have to prove my theory. "

"Indeed, papa!"

"Yes. Good-night. "

CHAPTER FOUR. 

THE CHOICE OF A BOY. 

Next morning Dr Grayson took his gold-headed cane, and walked down tothe workhouse. 

Upon dragging at the bell the porter opened the gate obsequiously, andsent a messenger to tell the master Dr Grayson had called. 

"Good morning, Hippetts, " said the doctor, who being a Poor-LawGuardian, and a wealthy inhabitant of the place, was received withsmiles by the important master. 

"Good morning, sir. Called to look round. "

"No, Hippetts, no, " said the doctor, in the tone and manner of onemaking an inquiry about some ordinary article of merchandise; "got anyboys?"

"Boys, sir; the house swarms with them. "

"Ah, well, show me some. "

"Show you some, sir?"

"Yes. I want a boy. "

"Certainly, sir. This way, sir. About what age, sir!"

"Eleven or twelve--not particular, " said the doctor. Then to himself:"About the age of young Danby. "

"I see, sir, " said the master. "Stout, strong, useful boy for abuttons. "

"Nonsense!" said the doctor testily, "I want a boy to adopt. "

"Oh!" said the master staring, and wondering whether rich philosophicalDr Grayson was in his right mind. 

He led the way along some whitewashed passages, and across a gravelyard, to a long, low building, from which came the well-known humminghum of many voices, among which a kind of chorus could be distinguished, and from time to time the sharp striking of a cane upon a desk, followedby a penetrating "Hush! hush!"

As the master opened the door, a hot puff of stuffy, unpleasantly closeair came out, and the noise ceased as if by magic, though there wereabout three hundred boys in the long, open-roofed room. 

The doctor cast his eye round and saw a crowd of heads, theschoolmaster, and besides these--whitewash. The walls, the ceiling, thebeams were all whitewashed. The floor was hearth-stoned, but it seemedto be whitewashed, and even the boys' faces appeared to have beentouched over with a thin solution laid on with the whitewash brush. 

Every eye was turned upon the visitor, and the doctor frowned as helooked round at the pallid, wan-looking, inanimate countenances whichoffered themselves to his view. The boys were not badly fed; they wereclean; they were warmly clad; but they looked as if the food they atedid them no good, and was not enjoyed; as if they were too clean; and asif their clothes were not comfortable. Every face seemed to have beensqueezed into the same mould, to grow it into one particular make, whichwas inexpressive, inanimate, and dull, while they all wore the look ofbeing on the high-road to old-manism without having been allowed to stopand play on the way, and be boys. 

"Hush! hush!" came from the schoolmaster, and a pin might have beenheard to fall. 

The boys devoured the doctor with their eyes. He was a stranger. Itwas something to see, and it was a break in the horrible monotony oftheir existence. Had they known the object of the visit, a tremendousyell would have arisen, and it would have been formed of twowords--"Take me. "

It was considered a model workhouse school, too, one of which theguardians were proud. There was no tyranny, no brutality, but there wasendless drill and discipline, and not a scrap of that for which everyboy's heart naturally yearns;--"Home, sweet home. "

No amount of management can make that and deck it with a mother's love;and it must have been the absence of these elements which made theColeby boys look like three hundred white-faced small old men. 

"Now, let me see, sir, " said the master; "of course the matter will haveto be laid before the Board in the usual form, but you will make yourselection now. Good light, sir, to choose. "

Mr Hippetts did not mean it unkindly; but he too spoke as if he werebusy over some goods he had to sell. 

"Let me see. Ah! Coggley, stand out. "

Coggley, a very thin boy of thirteen, a little more whitewashy than therest, stood out, and made a bow as if he were wiping his nose with hisright hand, and then curving it out at the doctor. 

He was a nice, sad-looking boy, with railways across his forehead, and apinched-in nose; but he was very thin, and showed his shirt between thetop of his trousers and the bottom of his waistcoat, instead of upon hischest, while it was from growth, not vanity, that he showed so muchankle and wrist. 

"Very good boy, sir. Had more marks than any one of his age last year. "

"Won't do, " said the doctor shortly. 

"Too thin, " said Mr Hippetts to himself. "Bunce!" he shouted. 

Bunce stood out, or rather waddled forth, a stoutly-made boy with shortlegs, --a boy who, if ever he had a chance, would grow fat and round, with eyes like two currants, and a face like a bun. 

Bunce made a bow like a scoop upside down. 

"Another excellent boy, sir, " said Mr Hippetts. "I haven't a fault tofind with him. He is now twelve years old, and he--"

"Won't do, " said the doctor crossly. 

"Go back, Bunce, " cried the master. "Pillett, stand out. Now here, sir, is a lad whom I am sure you will like. Writes a hand likecopperplate. Age thirteen, and very intelligent. "

Pillett came forward eagerly, after darting a triumphant look at Coggleyand Bunce. He was a wooden-faced boy, who seemed to have hard brainsand a soft head, for his forehead looked nubbly, and there were roundedoff corners at the sides. 

"Let Dr Grayson hear you say--"

"No, no, Hippetts; this is not an examination, " cried the doctortestily. "That is not the sort of boy I want. He must be a bright, intelligent lad, whom I can adopt and take into my house. I shall treathim exactly as if he were my own son, and if he is a good lad, it willbe the making of him. "

"Oh! I see, sir, " said Mr Hippetts importantly. "Go back, Pillett. Ihave the very boy. Gloog!"

Pillett went back, and furtively held up his fist at triumphant Gloog, who came out panting as if he had just been running fast, and as soon ashe had made the regulation bow, he, from old force of habit, wiped hisnose on his cuff. 

"No, no, no, no, " cried the doctor, without giving the lad a secondglance, the first at his low, narrow forehead and cunning cast offeatures being quite enough. 

"But this is an admirably behaved boy, sir, " protested Mr Hippetts. "Mr Sibery here can speak very highly of his qualifications. "

"Oh yes, sir, " put in the schoolmaster with a severe smile and a distantbow, for he felt annoyed at not being consulted. 

"Yes, yes, " said the doctor; "but not my style of boy. "

"Might I suggest one, sir!" said Mr Sibery deferentially, as he glancedat the king who reigned over the whole building. 

"To be sure, " said the doctor. "You try. "

Mr Hippetts frowned, and Mr Sibery wished he had not spoken; but thedark look on the master's brow gave place to an air of triumph as theschoolmaster introduced seven boys, one after the other, to all of whomthe visitor gave a decided negative. 

"Seems a strange thing, " he said, "that out of three hundred boys youcannot show one I like. "

"But all these are excellent lads, sir, " said the master deprecatingly. 

"Humph!"

"Best of characters. "

"Humph!"

"Our own training, sir. Mr Sibery has spared no pains, and I havewatched over the boys' morals. "

"Yes, I dare say. Of course. Here, what boy's that?"

He pointed with his cane to a pair of round blue eyes, quite at theback. 

"That, sir--that lame boy!"

"No, no; that young quicksilver customer with the curly poll. "

"Oh! that, sir! He wouldn't do, " cried the two masters almost in abreath. 

"How do you know!" said the doctor tartly. 

"Very bad boy indeed, sir, I'm sorry to say, " said the schoolmaster. 

"Yes, sir; regular young imp; so full of mischief that he corrupts theother boys. Can't say a word in his favour; and, besides, he's tooyoung. "

"How old?"

"About eleven, sir. "

"Humph! Trot him out. "

"Obed Coleby, " said the master in a severe voice. 

"Coleby, eh?"

"Yes, sir. Son of a miserable tramp who died some years ago in theHouse. No name with him, so we called him after the town. "

"Humph!" said the doctor, as the little fellow came, full of eagernessand excitement, after kicking at Pillett, who put out a leg to hinderhis advance. 

The doctor frowned, and gazed sternly at the boy, taking in carefullyhis handsome, animated face, large blue eyes, curly yellow hair, andopen forehead: not that his hair had much opportunity for curling--theworkhouse barber stopped that. 

The boy's face was as white as those of his companions, but it did notseem depressed and inanimate, for, though it was thin and white, hismouth was rosy and well-curved, and the slightly parted lips showed hispearly white teeth. 

"Humph!" said the doctor, as the bright eyes gazed boldly into his. 

"Where's your bow, sir?" said the master sternly. 

"Oh! I forgot, " said the boy quickly; and he made up for his lapse bybowing first with one and then the other hand. 

"A sad young pickle, " said the master. "Most hopeless case, sir. Constantly being punished. "

"Humph! You young rascal!" said the doctor sternly. "How dare you be anaughty boy!"

The little fellow wrinkled his white forehead, and glanced at theschoolmaster, and then at Mr Hippetts, before looking back at thedoctor. 

"I d'know, " he said, in a puzzled way. 

"You don't know, sir!"

"No. I'm allus cotching it. "

"Say _sir_, boy, " cried the master. 

"Allus cotching of it, sir, and it don't do me no good. "

"Really, Dr Grayson--"

"Wait a bit, Mr Hippetts, " said the doctor more graciously. "Let mequestion the boy. "

"Certainly, sir. But he has a very bad record. "

"Humph! Tells the truth, though, " said the doctor. "Here, sir, what'syour name?"

"Obed Coleby. "

"_Sir_!" cried the master. 

"Obed Coleby, _sir_, " said the boy quickly, correcting himself. 

"What a name!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"Yes, ain't it? I hates it, sir. "

"Oh! you do?"

"Yes; the boys all make fun of it, and call me Bed, and Go-to-bed, andOld Bedstead, and when they don't do that, they always call me Old Coalbag or Coaly. "

"That will do, sir. Don't chatter so, " said Mr Sibery reprovingly. 

"Please, sir, he asked me, " said the boy in protest; and there was afrank, bluff manner in his speech which took with the doctor. 

"Humph!" he said. "Would you like to leave this place, and come andlive with me!"

The boy puckered up his face, took a step forward, and the master made amovement as if to send him back; but the doctor laid his hand upon hisarm, while the boy gazed into his eyes for some moments with wonderfullysearching intentness. 

"Well?" said the doctor. "Will you?"

The boy's face smoothed; a bright light danced in his eyes; and, as iffull of confidence in his own judgment, he said eagerly--

"Yes; come along;" and he held out his hand. 

"And leave all your schoolfellows!" said the doctor. 

The boy's bright face clouded directly, and he turned to gaze back atthe crowd of closely cropped heads. 

"He'll be glad enough to go, " said the schoolmaster. 

"Yes, " said Mr Hippetts; "a most ungrateful boy. "

The little fellow--stunted of his age--swung sharply round; and they sawthat his eyes were brimming over as he looked reproachfully from one tothe other. 

"I didn't want to be a bad un, sir, " he said. "I did try, and--and--and--I'll stop here, please, and--"

He could say no more, for his face was working, and, at last, in shameand agony of spirit, he covered his face with his hands, and let himselfdrop in a heap on the stone floor, sobbing hysterically. 

"Coleby! Stand up, sir!" cried the master sternly. 

"Let him be, Mr Hippetts, if you please, " said the doctor, withdignity; and he drew in a long breath, and remained for some momentssilent, while the whole school stared with wondering eyes, and the twomasters exchanged glances. 

"Strange boy, " said Mr Hippetts. 

Then the doctor bent down slowly, and laid his hand upon the lad'sshoulder. 

The little fellow started up, flinching as if from a blow, but as soonas he saw who had touched him, he rose to his knees, and caught quicklyat the doctor's extended hand, while the look in the visitor's eyes hadso strange an influence upon him that he continued to gaze wonderinglyin the stern but benevolent face. 

"I think you'll come with me?" said the doctor. 

"Yes, I'd come. But may I?"

"Yes; I think he may, Mr Hippetts?" said the doctor. 

"Yes, sir; of course, sir, if you wish it, " said the master, with ratheran injured air; "but I feel bound to tell you the boy's character. "

"Yes; of course. "

"And to warn you, sir, that you will bring him back in less than aweek. "

"No, Mr Hippetts, " said the doctor quietly; "I shall not bring himback. "

"Well, sir; if you are satisfied I have nothing to say. "

"I am satisfied, Mr Hippetts. "

"But he is not so old as you said, sir. "

"No. "

"And you wanted a boy of good character. "

"Yes; but I recall all I said. That is the boy I want. Can I take himat once?"

"At once, sir!" said the master, as the little fellow, with his face astudy, listened eagerly, and looked from one to the other. "I shallhave to bring your proposal before the Board. "

"That is to say, before me and my colleagues, " said the doctor, smiling. "Well, as one of the Guardians, I think I may venture to take the boynow, and the formal business can be settled afterwards. "

"Oh yes, sir; of course. And I venture to think, sir, that it will notbe necessary to go on with it. "

"Why, Mr Hippetts?"

"Because, " said the master, with a peculiar smile which was reflected inthe schoolmaster's face; "you are sure to bring him back. "

"I think I said before I shall not bring him back, " replied the doctorcoldly. 

The master bowed, and Mr Sibery cleared his throat and frowned at theboys. 

"Then I think that's all, " said the doctor, laying his hand upon theboy's head. 

"Do I understand you, sir, to mean that you want to take him now?"

"Directly. "

"But his clothes, sir; and he must be--"

"I want to take him directly, Mr Hippetts, with your permission, and hewill need nothing more from the Union. "

"Very good, sir; and I hope that he will take your kindness to heart. Do you hear, Coleby? And be a very good boy to his benefactor, and--"

"Yes, yes, yes, Mr Hippetts, " said the doctor, cutting him short. "I'msure he will. Now, my man, are you ready?"

"Yes, sir, " cried the boy eagerly; "but--"

"Well?" said the doctor kindly. 

"I should like to say good-bye to some of the chaps, and I've gotsomething to give 'em. "

"Indeed! what?"

"Well, sir; I want to give Dick Dean my mouse, and Tommy Robson mynicker, and share all my buttons among the chaps in my dormitory; andthen I've six pieces of string and a pair of bones, and a sucker. "

"Go and share them, and say good-bye to them all, " said the doctor, drawing a breath full of satisfaction; and the boy darted away full ofexcitement. 

"May I say a word to the boys, Mr Sibery?" said the doctor, smiling. 

"Certainly, sir. "

"Will you call for silence?"

The master called, and the doctor asked the lads to give their oldschoolfellow a cheer as he was going away. 

They responded with a shout that made the windows rattle. 

"And now, " said the doctor, "I'm going to ask Mr Hippetts to give youall a holiday, and I am leaving threepence a piece to be distributedamong you, so that you may have a bit of fun. "

Mr Hippetts smiled as he took the money, and the boys cheered again, inthe midst of which shouts the doctor moved off with his charge, but onlyfor his _protege_ to break away from him, and run to offer his hand toMr Sibery, who coughed slightly, and shook hands limply, as if he wereconferring a great favour. 

The boy then held out his hand to the master, and he also shook hands ina dignified way. 

"Shall I send the boy on, sir?" said Mr Hippetts. 

"Thanks, no, Hippetts; I'll take him with me. "

"Would you like a fly, sir?"

"No, Hippetts; I'm not ashamed for people to see what I do. Come along, my lad. "

"Please, sir; mayn't I say good-bye to Mother Curdley?"

"Mother Curdley? Who is she!"

"Nurse, sir. "

"The woman who had charge of him when he was a tiny fellow. "

"Ah! to be sure. Yes, certainly, " said the doctor. "He may, ofcourse?"

"Oh! certainly, sir. Run on, boy, and we'll follow. "

"No larks, " said the boy sharply, as he looked at the doctor. 

"No; I shall not run away, my man. "

The boy darted down a long whitewashed passage, and the doctor said:--

"I understand you to say that he has no friends whatever!"

"None, sir, as far as we know. Quite a foundling. "

"That will do, " said the doctor; and while the boy was bidding good-byeto the old woman who had tended the sick tramp, the master led the wayto the nursery, where about a dozen children were crawling about andhanging close to a large fire-guard. Others were being nursed on thecheck aprons of some women, while one particularly sour creature wasrocking a monstrous cradle, made like a port-wine basket, with sixcompartments, in every one of which was an unfortunate babe. 

"Which he's a very good affectionate boy, sir, " said a woman, coming upwith the doctor's choice clinging to her apron; "and good-bye, and goodluck, and there, God bless you, my dear!" she said, as she kissed theboy in a true motherly way, he clinging to her as the only being he hadfelt that he could love. 

That burst of genuine affection won Mother Curdley five shillings, whichshe pocketed with one hand, as she wiped her eyes with the other, andthen had a furtive pinch of snuff, which made several babies sneeze asif they had bad colds. 

"Very eccentric man, " said Mr Hippetts. 

"Very, " assented Mr Sibery. 

"But he'll bring the young ruffian back. "

The doctor did not hear, for he was walking defiantly down the mainstreet, waving his gold-headed cane, while the boy clung to his hand, and walked with bent head, crying silently, but fighting hard to keep itback. 

The doctor saw it, and pressed the boy's hand kindly. 

"Yes, " he said to himself; "I'll show old Danby now. The very boy Iwanted. Ah, " he added aloud; "here we are. "

CHAPTER FIVE. 

A "REG'LAR" BAD ONE. 

Maria, the doctor's maid, opened the door, and as she admitted hermaster and his charge, her countenance was suggestive of round O's. 

Her face was round, and her eyes opened into two round spots, while hermouth became a perfectly circular orifice, as the doctor himself tookoff the boy's cap, and marched him into the drawing-room, where HelenGrayson was seated. 

On his way to the house, and with his young heart swelling at having topart from the only being who had been at all kind to him--for therecollection of the rough tramp had become extremely faint--the boy hadhad hard work to keep back his tears, but no sooner had he passed thedoctor's door than the novelty of all he saw changed the current of histhoughts, and he was full of eagerness and excitement. 

The first inkling of this was shown as his eyes lit upon Maria's roundface, and it tickled him so that he began to smile. 

"Such impidence!" exclaimed Maria. "And a workus boy. My! what'smaster going to do with him?"

She hurried to the housekeeper's room, where Mrs Millett, who had keptthe doctor's house, and attended to the cooking as well, ever since MrsGrayson's death, was now seated making herself a new cap. 

"A workhouse boy, Maria?" she said, letting her work fall upon herknees, and looking over the top of her spectacles. 

"Yes; and master's took him into the drawing-room. "

"Oh! very well, " said Mrs Millett tartly. "Master's master, and he hasa right to do what he likes; but if there's anything I can't abear in ahouse it's a boy in buttons. They're limbs, that's what they are;regular young imps. "

"Going to keep a page!" said Maria, whose eyes looked a little lessround. 

"Why, of course, girl; and it's all stuff. "

"Well, I don't know, " said Maria thoughtfully. "There's thecoal-scuttles to fill, and the door-bell to answer, a deal more than Ilike. "

"Yes, " said Mrs Millett, snipping off a piece of ribbon viciously; "Iknow. That boy to find every time you want 'em done, and a deal lesstrouble to do 'em yourself. I can't abear boys. "

While this conversation was going on in the housekeeper's room, something of a very different kind was in progress in the drawing-room, where the daughter looked up from the letter she was writing, and gazedwonderingly at the boy. For her father pushed the little fellow inbefore him, and said: "There!" in a satisfied tone, and looked from oneto the other. 

"Why, papa!" said Helen, after looking pleasantly at the boy. 

"Yes, my dear, that's him. There he is. From this hour my experimentbegins. "

"With this boy?" said Helen. 

"Yes, my dear, shake hands with him, and make him at home. "

The doctor's sweet lady-like daughter held out her hand to the boy, whowas staring about him at everything with wondering delight, till hecaught sight of an admirably drawn water-colour portrait of the doctor, the work of Helen herself, duly framed and hung upon the wall. 

The boy burst into a hearty laugh, and turned to Helen, running to hernow, and putting his hand in hers. "Look there, " he cried, pointingwith his left hand; "that's the old chap's picture. Ain't it like him!"

The doctor frowned, and Helen looked troubled, even though it was acompliment to her skill; and for a few moments there was a painfulsilence in the room. 

This was however broken by the boy, who lifted Helen's hand up and down, and said in a parrot-like way--

"How do you do?"

Helen's face rippled over with smiles, and the boy's brightened, and hetoo smiled in a way that made him look frank, handsome, and singularlyattractive. 

"Oh, I say, you are pretty, " he said. "Ten times as pretty as MissHippetts on Sundays. "

"Hah! yes. Never mind about Miss Hippetts. And look here, my man, MrHippetts said that you were anything but a good boy, and yourschoolmaster said the same. "

"Yes; everybody knows that I am a reg'lar bad boy. The worst boy in thewhole school. "

Helen Grayson's face contracted. 

"Oh, you are, are you!" said the doctor drily. 

"Yes, Mr Sibery told everybody so. "

"Well, then, now, sir, you will have to be a very good boy. "

"All right, sir. "

"And behave yourself very nicely. "

"But, I say: am I going to stop here, sir?"

"Yes; always. "

"What, in this room?"

"Yes. "

"And ain't I to go back to the House to have my crumbs!"

"To have your what?"

"Breakfasses and dinners, sir?"

"No, you will have your meals here. "

"But I shall have to go back to sleep along with the other boys?"

"No, you will sleep here; you will live here altogether now. "

"What! along of you and her?" cried the boy excitedly. 

"Yes, always, unless you go to a good school. "

"But live here along o' you, in this beautiful house with this nicelady, and that gal with a round face. "

"Yes, of course. "

"Ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ra-ri-i-kee!" cried the boy in a shrill, piercingvoice; and, to the astonishment of the doctor and his daughter, he madea bound, and then, with wonderful skill and rapidity, began turning thewheel, as it is called, going over and over on hands and feet, completely round the room. 

"Here, stop, sir, stop!" cried the doctor, half-angry and half-amused. 

"I can do it t'other way too, " cried the boy; and, as he had turnedbefore commencing upon his left hand, he began with his right, andcompleted the circuit of the room in the opposite direction. 

"There!" he cried, as he stopped before the doctor and his daughter, flushed and proud. "There isn't a chap in the House can do it as quickas I can. Mr Sibery caught me one day, and didn't I get the cane!"

There was such an air of innocent pride displayed by the boy, that afterfor the moment feeling annoyed, Helen Grayson sat back in her chair andlaughed as much at the boy as at her father's puzzled look, of surprise. 

"That's nothing!" cried the boy, as he saw Helen's smiles. "Look here. "

He ducked down and placed his head on the hearthrug, his hands on eitherside in front, and threw his heels in the air, to the great endangermentof the chimney ornaments. 

"Get down, sir! get down!" cried the doctor. "I mean, get up. "

"It don't hurt, " cried the boy, "stand on my head longer than you willfor a penny. "

"Will you get up, sir!"

The boy let his feet go down into their normal position upon the carpet, and rose up with his handsome young face flushed, and a look of prouddelight in his eyes. 

"I can walk on my hands ever so far, " he shouted boisterously. 

"No, no; stop!"

"You look, miss, and see me run like a tomcat. "

Before he could be stopped, he was down on all-fours running, withwonderful agility, in and out among the chairs, and over the hearthrug. 

"That's what I do to make the boys laugh, when we go to bed. I can goall along the dormitory, and jump from one bed to the other. Where'sthe dormitory? I'll show you. "

"No, no; stop!" cried the doctor, and he caught hold of the boy by thecollar. "Confound you, sir: are you full of quicksilver!"

"No. It's skilly, " said the boy, "and I ain't full now I'm ever sohungry. "

The doctor held him tightly, for he was just off again. 

Helen Grayson tried to look serious, but was compelled to hold herhandkerchief before her mouth, and hide her face; but her eyes twinkledwith mirth, as her father turned towards her, and sat rubbing his stiffgrey hair. 

The doctor's plan of bringing up a boy chosen from the workhouse hadcertainly failed, she thought, so far as this lad was concerned; and asthe little prisoner stood tightly held, but making all the use he couldof his eyes, he said, pointing to a glass shade over a group of waxfruit--

"Is them good to eat!"

"No, " said Helen, smiling. 

"I say, do you have skilly for breakfast!"

"I do not know what skilly is, " replied Helen. 

"Then, I'll tell you. It's horrid. They beats up pailfuls of oatmealin a copper, and ladles it out. But it's better than nothing. "

"Ahem!" coughed the doctor, who was thinking deeply. 

The boy glanced at him sharply, and then turned again to Helen--

"You mustn't ask for anything to eat at the House if you're ever sohungry. "

"Are you hungry?" said Helen. 

"Just!"

"Would you like a piece of cake!"

"Piece o' cake? Please. Here, let go. "

He shook himself free from the doctor and ran to Helen. 

"Sit down on that cushion, and I'll ring for some. "

"What, have you got a big bell here? Let me pull it, will you?"

"It is not a big bell, but you may pull it, " said Helen, crossing to thefireplace. "There, that will do. "

She led the way back to the chair where she had been seated, and inspite of herself felt amused and pleased at the way in which the boy'sbright curious eyes examined her, for, outside of his school discipline, the little fellow acted like a small savage, and was as full of eagercuriosity. 

"I say, " he said, "how do you do your hair like that? It is nice. "

Just then Maria entered the room. 

"Bring up the cake, Maria, and a knife and plate--and--stop--bring aglass of milk. "

"Yes, miss, " said Maria, staring hard at the boy with anything butfavourable eyes. 

"I say, do you drink milk?" said the boy. 

"Sometimes. This is for you. "

"For me? Oh, I say! But you'll put some water to it, won't you!"

"No; you can drink it as it is. No, no! Stop!"

Helen Grayson was too late; in the exuberance of his delight the boyrelieved his excited feelings by turning the wheel again round the room, stopping, though, himself, as he reached the place where the doctor'sdaughter was seated. "Well, why do you look at me like that?"

"I d'know. Feels nice, " said the boy. "I say, is that round-face galyour sister?"

"Oh no; she's the servant. "

"I'm glad of that, " said the boy thoughtfully; "she won't eat that cake, will she!"

Helen compressed her lips to control her mirth, and glanced at herfather again, where he sat with his brow knit and lips pursed upthinking out his plans. 

Maria entered now with the cake and milk, placing a tray on a littletable, and going out to return to the housekeeper, saying--

"Pretty pass things is coming to when servants is expected to wait onworkus boys. "

In the drawing-room the object of her annoyance was watching, withsparkling eyes, the movements of the knife with which Helen Grayson cutoff a goodly wedge of the cake. 

"There, " she said; "eat that, and sit quite still. "

The boy snatched the piece wolfishly, and was lifting it to his mouth, but he stopped suddenly and stretched out his hand--

"Here; you have first bite, " he said. 

Helen shook her head, but felt pleased. 

"No, " she said. "It is for you. "

"Do, " said the boy, fighting hard with the longing to begin. 

"No; eat it yourself. "

"Would he have a bit if I asked him!" said the boy, torturing himself inhis generous impulse. 

"No, no. You eat it, my boy. "

Once more the cake was within an inch of the bright sparkling teeth, butthe bite was not taken. Instead of eating, the boy held out the cake tohis hostess. 

"Cut it in half, please, " he said; "fair halves. "

"What for?"

"I'm going to eat one bit; t'other's for Billy Jingle. He's hadmeasles, and been very bad, and he's such a good chap. "

"You shall have a piece to send to your schoolfellow, " said Helen, withher eyes a little moist now, for the boy's generous spirit was gainingupon her, and she looked at him with more interest than she haddisplayed a few minutes before. 

The boy took a tremendous bite, and began to munch as he sat upon avelvet-covered hassock; but he jumped up directly, and held out thebitten cake again, to say, with his mouth full--

"Oh, do have a bit. It's lovely. "

Helen smiled, and laid her hand upon the boy's shoulder, as she shookher head, when to her surprise he caught the soft white hand in hisleft, gazed hard at it, and then pressed it against his cheek, making asoft purring noise, no bad imitation of a cat. 

Then he sat eating and holding the hand which was not taken away, till, as the little stranger munched on in the full enjoyment of the wondrousnovelty, the doctor said sharply, "Helen, come here. "

The boy stared, but went on eating, and the doctor's daughter crossedthe room to where her father sat. 

CHAPTER SIX. 

A QUICKSILVER GLOBULE. 

"Well, papa?" she said, looking into his face in a half-amused way. 

"Well, Helen, " said the doctor, taking her hand and drawing her to him;"about this boy?"

"Yes, dear. You have made up your mind to adopt and bring one up, " shesaid, in a low tone which the lad could not hear. 

"Yes, " said the doctor, taking his tone from her, "to turn the rawmaterial into the polished cultured article. "

"But of course you will take this one back, and select another!"

"And pray why!" said the doctor sharply. 

"I thought--I thought--" faltered Helen. 

"Oh, nonsense! Better for proving my theory. "

"Yes, papa, but--"

"A little wild and rough, that's all; boy-like; high-spirited; rightstuff in him. "

"No doubt, papa; but he is so very rough. "

"Then we'll use plenty of sand-paper and make him smooth. Moralsand-paper. Capital boy, my dear. Had a deal of trouble in gettinghim--by George! the young wolf! He has finished that cake. "

"Then you really mean to keep him, papa?" said Helen, glancing at theboy, where he sat diligently picking up a few crumbs and a currant whichhe had dropped. 

"Mean to keep him? Now, my dear Helen, when did you ever know meundertake anything, and not carry it out!"

"Never, papa. "

"Then I am not going to begin now. There is the boy. "

"Yes, papa, " said Helen rather sadly; "there is the boy. "

"I mean to make him a gentleman, and I must ask you to help me with thepoor orphan--"

"He is an orphan, then!" said Helen quickly. 

"Yes. Son of some miserable tramp who died in the casual ward. "

"How dreadful!" said Helen, glancing once more at the boy, who caughther eye, and smiled in a way which made his face light up, and illuminedthe sallow cheeks and dull white pinched look. 

"Dreadful? Couldn't be better for my theory, my dear. "

"Very well, papa, " said Helen quietly; "I will help you all I can. "

"I knew you would, my dear, " said the doctor warmly; "and I prophesythat you will be proud of your work, and so shall I. Now, then, tobegin, " he added loudly. 

"All in--all in--all in!" shouted the boy, jumping up like agrasshopper, and preparing to go through some fresh gymnastic feat. 

"Ah! ah! Sit down, sir. How dare you!" shouted the doctor; and the boydropped into his seat again, and sat like a mouse. 

"There!" said the doctor softly; "there's obedience. Result ofdrilling. Now, then, what's the first thing? He must have someclothes. "

"Oh yes; at once, " said Helen. 

"And, look here, my dear, " said the doctor testily; "I never useanything of the kind myself, but you girls rub some stuff--pomade orcream--on your hair to make it grow, do you not?"

"Well, yes, papa. "

"Then, for goodness' sake, let a double quantity be rubbed at once uponthat poor boy's head. Really it is cut so short that he is hardly fitto be seen without a cap on. "

"I'm afraid you will have to wait some time, " said Helen, with a smile. 

"Humph! yes, I suppose so, " said the doctor gruffly. "That barber oughtto be flogged. Couldn't put the boy in a wig, of course. "

"O papa! no. "

"Well, I said no, " cried the doctor testily. "Must wait, I suppose; butwe can make him look decent. "

"Are you--are you going--" faltered Helen. 

"Going? Going where!"

"Going to have him with us, papa, or to let him be with the servants?"said Helen rather nervously; but she regretted speaking the next moment. 

"Now, my dear child, don't be absurd, " cried the doctor. "How am I toprove my theory by taking the boy from the lowest station of society andmaking him, as I shall do, a gentleman, if I let him run wild with theservants!"

"I--I beg your pardon, papa. "

"Humph! Granted. Now, what's to be done first? The boy is clean?"

"Oh yes. "

"Can't improve him then, that way; but I want as soon as possible to getrid of that nasty, pasty, low-class pallor. One does not see it in poorpeople's children, as a rule, while these Union little ones always looksickly to me. You must feed him up, Helen. "

"I have begun, papa, " she said, smiling. 

"Humph! Yes. Clothes. Yes; we must have some clothes, and--oh, by theway, I had forgotten. Here, my boy. "

The lad jumped up with alacrity, and came to the doctor's side boldly--looking keenly from one to the other. 

"What did you say your name was!"

"Bed--Obed Coleby. "

"Hah!" cried the doctor; "then we'll do away with that at once. Now, what shall we call you!"

"I d'know, " said the boy, laughing. "Jack?"

"No, no, " said the doctor thoughtfully, while Helen looked on ratheramused at her father's intent manner, and the quick bird-like movementsof their visitor. 

For the boy, after watching the doctor for a few moments, grew tired, and finding himself unnoticed, dropped down on the carpet, took fourpebbles from his pocket, laid them on the back of his right hand, andthrowing them in the air, caught them separately by as many rapidsnatches in the air. 

"Do that again, " cried the doctor, suddenly becoming interested. 

The boy showed his white teeth, threw the stones in the air, and caughtthem again with the greatest ease. 

"That's it, Helen, my dear, " cried the doctor triumphantly. "Clevernessof the right hand--dexterity. Capital name. "

"Capital name, papa?"

"Yes; Dexter! Good Latin sound. Fresh and uncommon. Dexter--Dex. Look here, sir. No more Obed. You shall be called Dexter. "

"All right, " said the boy. 

"And if you behave yourself well, perhaps we shall shorten it into Dex. "

"Dick's better, " said the boy sharply. 

"No, it is not, sir; Dex. "

"Well, Dix, then, " said the boy, throwing one stone up high enough totouch the ceiling, and in catching at it over-handed, failing to achievehis object, and striking it instead, so that it flew against the wallwith a loud rap. 

"Put those stones in your pocket, sir, " cried the doctor to the boy, whoran and picked up the one which had fallen, looking rather abashed. "Another inch, and it would have gone through that glass. "

"Yes. Wasn't it nigh!" cried the boy. 

"Here, stop! Throw them out of that window. "

The boy's brow clouded over. 

"Let me give them to some one at the school; they're such nice roundones. "

"I said, throw them out of the window, sir. "

"All right, " said the boy quickly; and he threw the pebbles into thegarden. 

"Now, then; look here, sir--or no, " said the doctor less sternly. "Lookhere, my boy. "

The doctor's manner influenced the little fellow directly, and he wentup and laid his hand upon his patron's knee, looking brightly from faceto face. 

"Now, mind this: in future you are to be Dexter. "

"All right: Dexter Coleby, " said the boy. 

"No, no, no, no!" cried the doctor testily. "Dexter Grayson; and don'tkeep on saying `All right. '"

"All--"

The boy stopped short, and rubbed his nose with his cuff. 

"Hah! First thing, my dear. Twelve pocket-handkerchiefs, and mark them`Dexter Grayson. '"

"What? twelve handkerchies for me--all for me?"

"Yes, sir, all for you; and you are to use them. Never let me see yourub your nose with your cuff again. "

The boy's mouth opened to say, "All right, " but he checked himself. 

"That's right!" cried the doctor. "I see you are teachable. You weregoing to say `all right. '"

"You told me not to. "

"I did; and I'm very pleased to find you did not do it. "

"I say, shall I have to clean the knives?"

"No, no, no. "

"Nor yet the boots and shoes?"

"No, boy; no. "

"I shall have to fetch the water then, shan't I?"

"My good boy, nothing of the kind. You are going to live with us, andyou are my adopted son, " said the doctor rather pompously, while Helensighed. 

"Which?" queried the boy. 

"Which what?" said the doctor. 

"Which what you said?"

"I did not say anything, sir. "

"Oh my! what a story!" cried the boy, appealing to Helen. "Didn't youhear him say I was to be his something son?"

"Adopted son, " said the doctor severely; "and, look here, you must notspeak to me in that way. "

"All--" Dexter checked himself again, and he only stared. 

"Now, you understand, " said the doctor, after a few minutes' hesitation;"you are to be here like my son, and you may call me--yes, father, orpapa. "

"How rum!" said the boy, showing his white teeth with a remarkable wantof reverence. "I say, " he added, turning to Helen; "what am I to callyou!"

Helen turned to her father for instructions, her brow wrinkling fromamusement and vexation. 

"Helen, " said the doctor, in a decided tone. "We must have no halfmeasures, my dear; I mean to carry out my plan in its entirety. "

"Very well, papa, " said Helen quietly; and then to herself, "It is onlyfor a few days. "

"Now, then, " said the doctor, "clothes. Ring that bell, Dexter. "

The boy ran so eagerly to the bell that he knocked over a light chair, and left it on the floor till he had rung. 

"Oh, I say, " he exclaimed; "they go over a deal easier than our forms. "

"Never mind the forms now, Dexter. I want you to forget all about theold school. "

"Forget it?" said the boy, with his white forehead puckering up. 

"Yes, and all belonging to it. You are now going to be my son. "

"But I shall want to go and see the boys sometimes. "

"No, sir; you will not. "

"But I must go and see Mother Curdley. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. "Well, we shall see. Perhaps she willbe allowed to come and see you. "

"Hooray!" cried the boy excitedly; and turning to Helen he obtainedpossession of her hand. "I say, save her a bit of that cake. "

"She shall have some cake, Dexter, " said Helen kindly, for she could nothelp, in spite of her annoyance, again feeling pleased with the boy'sremembrance of others. 

"And I say, " he cried, "when she does come, we'll have a ha'porth o'snuff screwed up in a bit o' paper, and--has he got any gin?"

"Hush, hush!" whispered Helen. 

"But she's so fond of a drop, " said the boy earnestly. 

"And now, " said the doctor; "the next thing is clothes. Ah, Maria, sendCribb to ask Mr Bleddan to come here directly. "

"Yes, sir, " said Maria; and after a glance at the boy she closed thedoor. 

In less than a quarter of an hour Mr Bleddan, the tailor of Coleby, wasthere; and Dexter stood up feeling tickled and amused at being measuredfor some new clothes which the tailor said should be ready in a week. 

"A week!" said the doctor; "but what am I to do now? The boy can't golike that. "

"Ready-made, sir? I've plenty of new and fashionable suits exactly hissize. "

"Bring some, " said the doctor laconically; "and shirts and stockings andboots. Everything he wants. Do you understand!"

Mr Bleddan perfectly understood, and Dexter stood with his eyessparkling as he heard the list of upper and under garments, boots, caps, everything which the tailor and clothier considered necessary. 

The moment the man had gone, Dexter made a dash to recommence hisIxion-like triumphal dance, but this time Helen caught his hand andstopped him. 

"No, no, not here, " she said quietly; and not in the least abashed, butin the most obedient way, the boy submitted. 

"It was because I was so jolly glad: that's all. "

"Hah!" said the doctor, smiling. "Now, I like that, Helen. Work withme, and all that roughness will soon pass away. "

"I say, will that chap be long?" cried Dexter, running to the window andlooking out. "Am I to have all those things for my own self, and may Iwear 'em directly?"

"Look here, my lad; you shall have everything that's right and properfor you, if you are a good boy. "

"Oh, I'll be a good boy--least I'll try to be. Shall you give me thecane if I ain't?"

"I--er--I don't quite know, " said the doctor. "I hope you will notrequire it. "

"Mr Sibery said I did, and he never knew a boy who wanted it worse, butit didn't do me no good at all. "

"Well, never mind that now, " said the doctor. "You will have to be verygood, and never want the cane. You must learn to be a young gentleman. "

"Young gentleman?" said Dexter, holding his head on one side like abird. "One of them who wears black jackets, and turn-down collars, andtall hats, and plays at cricket all day? I shall like that. "

"Humph! Something else but play cricket, I hope, " said the doctorquietly. "Helen, my dear, I shall begin to make notes at once for mybook, so you can take Dexter in hand, and try how he can read. "

The doctor brought out a pocket-book and pencil, and Helen, after amoment's thought, went to a glass case, and took down an old gift-bookpresented to her when she was a little girl. 

"Come here, Dexter, " she said, "and let me hear you read. "

The boy flushed with pleasure. 

"Yes, " he said. "I should like to read to you. May I kneel down andhave the book on your knees!"

"Yes, if you like, " said Helen, who felt that the boy was gaining uponher more and more: for, in spite of his coarseness, there was a frank, merry, innocent undercurrent that, she felt, might be brought to thesurface, strengthened and utilised to drive the roughness away. 

"Read here!" said the boy, opening the book at random. "Oh, here's apicture. What are these girls doing?"

"Leave the pictures till afterwards. Go on reading now. "

"Here?"

"Yes; at the beginning of that chapter. "

"I shall have to read it all, as there's no other boy here. We alwaysstand up in a class at the House, and one boy reads one bit, and anotherboy goes on next, and then you're always losing your place, because it'ssuch a long time before it comes round to your turn, and then old Siberygives you the cane. "

"Yes, yes; but go on, " said Helen, with a feeling of despair concerningher father's _protege_. 

Dexter began to read in a forced, unnatural voice, with a high-pitchedunpleasant twang, and regardless of sense or stops--merely uttering thewords one after the other, and making them all of the same value. 

At the end of the second line Helen's face was a study. At the end ofthe fourth the doctor roared out--

"Stop! I cannot stand any more. Saw-sharpening or bag-pipes would bepleasant symphonies in comparison. "

At that moment Maria entered. 

"Lunch is on the table, if you please, sir. "

"Ah, yes, lunch, " said the doctor. "Did you put a knife and fork forMaster Dexter?"

"For who, sir!" said Maria, staring. 

"For Master Dexter here, " said the doctor sharply. "Go and put themdirectly. "

Maria ran down to her little pantry, and then attacked Mrs Millett. 

"Master's going mad, I think, " she said. "Why, he's actually going tohave that boy at the table to lunch. "

"Never!"

"It's a fact, " cried Maria; "and I've come down for more knives andforks. "

"And you'd better make haste and get 'em, then, " said the housekeeper;"master's master, and he always will have his way. "

Maria did make haste, and to her wonder and disgust Dexter was seated atthe doctor's table in his workhouse clothes, gazing wonderingly round ateverything: the plate, cruets, and sparkling glass taking up so much ofhis attention that for the moment he forgot the viands. 

The sight of a hot leg of lamb, however, when the cover was removed, made him seize his knife and fork, and begin tapping with the handles oneither side of his plate. 

"Errum!" coughed the doctor. "Put that knife and fork down, Dexter, andwait. "

The boy's hands went behind him directly, and there was silence tillMaria had left the room, when the doctor began to carve, and turned toHelen--

"May I give you some lamb, my dear?"

"There, I knowed it was lamb, " cried Dexter excitedly, "'cause it was solittle. We never had no lamb at the House. "

"Hush!" said the doctor quietly. "You must not talk like that. "

"All right. "

"Nor yet like that, Dexter. Now, then, may I send you some lamb!"

"May I say anything?" said the boy so earnestly that Helen could notcontain her mirth, and the boy smiled pleasantly again. 

"Of course you may, my boy, " said the doctor. "Answer when you arespoken to, and try and be polite. "

"Yes, sir, I will; I'll try so hard. "

"Then may I send you some lamb!"

"Yes; twice as much as you give her. It does smell nice. "

The doctor frowned a little, and then helped the boy pretty liberally. 

"Oh, I say! Just look at the gravy, " he cried. "Have you got plenty, Miss!"

"Oh yes, Dexter, " said Helen. "May I--"

"Don't give it all to me, Mister, " cried the boy. "Keep some foryourself. I hate a pig. "

"Errum!" coughed the doctor, frowning. "Miss Grayson was going to askif you would take some vegetables!"

"What? taters? No thankye, we got plenty o' them at the House, " criedthe boy; and he began cutting and devouring the lamb at a furious rate. 

"Gently, gently!" cried the doctor. "You have neither bread nor salt. "

"Get's plenty o' them at the House, " cried the boy, with his mouth full;"and you'd better look sharp, too. The bell'll ring directly, and weshall have to--no it won't ring here, will it!" he said, looking fromone to another. 

"No, sir, " said the doctor sternly; "and you must not eat like that. Watch how Miss Grayson eats her lunch, and try and imitate her. "

The boy gave the doctor a sharp glance, and then, in a very praiseworthymanner, tried to partake of the savoury joint in a decent way. 

But it was hard work for him. The well-cooked succulent meat was sotoothsome that he longed to get to the end of it; and whenever he wasnot watching the doctor and his daughter he kept glancing at the dish, wondering whether he would be asked to have any more. 

"What's that rum-looking stuff?" he said, as the doctor helped himselffrom a small tureen. 

"Mint sauce, sir. Will you have some?"

"I don't know. Let's taste it. "

The little sauce tureen was passed to him, and he raised the silverladle, but instead of emptying it upon his plate he raised it to hislips, and drank with a loud, unpleasant noise, suggestive of the word_soup_. 

The doctor was going to utter a reproof, but the sight of Helen's mirthchecked him, and he laughed heartily as he saw the boy's face full ofdisgust. 

"I don't like that, " he said, pushing the tureen away. "It ain't good. "

"But you should--"

"Don't correct him now, papa; you will spoil the poor boy's dinner, "remonstrated Helen. 

"He said it was lunch, " said Dexter. 

"Your dinner, sir, and our lunch, " said the doctor. "There, try andbehave as we do at the table, and keep your elbows off the cloth. "

Dexter obeyed so quickly that he knocked a glass from the table, and onleaving his seat to pick it up he found that the foot was broken off. 

The doctor started, and uttered a sharp ejaculation. 

In an instant the boy shrank away into a corner, sobbing wildly. 

"I couldn't help it. I couldn't help it, sir. Don't beat me, please. Don't beat me this time. I'll never do so any more. "

"Bless my soul!" cried the doctor, jumping up hastily; and the boyuttered a wild cry, full of fear, and would have dashed out of the openwindow into the garden had not Helen caught him, the tears in her eyes, and her heart moved to pity as she read the boy's agony of spirit. Infact that one cry for mercy had done more for Dexter's future at thedoctor's than a month's attempts at orderly conduct. 

"Hush, hush!" said Helen gently, as she took his hands; and, with a lookof horror in his eyes, the boy clung to her. 

"I don't mind the cane sometimes, " he whispered, "but don't let him beatme very much. "

"Nonsense! nonsense!" said the doctor rather huskily. "I was not goingto beat you. "

"Please, sir, you looked as if you was, " sobbed the boy. 

"I only looked a little cross, because you were clumsy and broke thatglass. But it was an accident. "

"Yes, it was; it was, " cried the boy, in a voice full of pleading, forthe breakage had brought up the memory of an ugly day in his youngcareer. "I wouldn't ha' done it, was it ever so; it's true as goodnessI wouldn't. "

"No, no, Maria, not yet, " cried Helen hastily, as the door was opened. "We will ring. "

Maria walked out again, and the boy clung to Helen as he sobbed. 

"There, there, " she said. "Papa is not cross. You broke the glass, andyou have apologised. Come: sit down again. "

If some one had told Helen Grayson two hours before that she would havedone such a thing, she would have smiled incredulously, but somehow shefelt moved to pity just then, and leading the boy back to his chair, shebent down and kissed his forehead. 

In a moment Dexter's arms were about her neck, and he was clinging toher with passionate energy, sobbing now wildly, while the doctor got upand walked to the window for a few moments. 

"There, there, " said Helen gently, as she pressed the boy down into hisseat, and kissed him once again, after seeing that her father's back wasturned. "That's all over now. Come, papa. "

The doctor came back, and as he was passing the back of the boy's chair, he raised his hand quickly, intending to pat him on the head. 

The boy flinched like a frightened animal anticipating a blow. 

"Why, bless my soul, Dexter! this will not do, " he said huskily. "Here, give me your hand. There, there, my dear boy, you and I are to be thebest of friends. Why, my dear Helen, " he added in French, "they musthave been terribly severe, for the little fellow to shrink like this. "

The boy still sobbed as he laid his hand in the doctor's, and then themeal was resumed; but Dexter's appetite was gone. He could not finishthe lamb, and it was only with difficulty that he managed a littlerhubarb tart and custard. 

"Why, what are you thinking about, Dexter!" said Helen after the lunch;and somehow her tone of voice seemed to indicate that she had forgottenall about the workhouse clothes. 

"Will he send me back to the House?" the boy whispered hoarsely, but thedoctor heard. 

"No, no, " he said quickly; and the boy seemed relieved. 

That night about eleven, as she went up to bed, Helen Grayson wentsoftly into a little white bedroom, where the boy's pale face lay in thefull moonlight, and something sparkled. 

"Poor child!" she said, in a voice full of pity; "he has been crying. "

She was quite right, and as she bent over him, her presence must haveinfluenced his dreams, for he uttered a low, soft sigh, and then smiled, while, forgetting everything now but the fact that this poor little waifof humanity had been stranded, as it were, at their home, she bent overhim and kissed him. 

Then she started, for she became aware of the fact that her father wasat the door. 

The next moment she was in his arms. 

"Bless you, my darling!" he said. "This is like you. I took this up asa whim as well as a stubborn belief; but somehow that poor littleignorant fellow, with his rough ways, seems to be rousing warmerfeelings towards him, and, please God, we'll make a man of him of whomwe shall not be ashamed. "

Poor Dexter had cried himself to sleep, feeling in his ignorant fashionthat he had disgraced himself, and that the two harsh rulers were quiteright, --that he was as bad as ever he could be; but circumstances wererunning in a way he little thought. 

CHAPTER SEVEN. 

TAMING THE WILD. 

"Ah!" said the doctor, laying down his pen and rubbing his hands. "That's better;" and he took off his spectacles, made his grey hairstand up all over his head like tongues of silver fire, and lookedDexter over from top to toe. 

Thanks to Helen's supervision, the boy looked very creditable. His hairwas of course "cut almost to the bone, " and his face had still the Unionlook--pale and saddened, but he was dressed in a neat suit which fittedhim, and his turn-down collar and black tie seemed to give his well-cutfeatures quite a different air. 

"What did I say, Helen!" said the doctor, with a chuckle. "You see whatwe have done already. Well, sir, how do you feel now!"

"Not very jolly, " said the boy, with a writhe. 

"Hem!" coughed the doctor; "not very comfortable you mean!"

"Yes, that's it, " said Dexter. "Boots hurts my feet, and when thetrousers ain't rubbin' the skin o' my legs, this here collar feels as ifit would saw my head off. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor stiffly. "You had better put on the oldthings again. "

"Eh? No, thankye, " cried Dexter eagerly. "I like these here ever somuch. Please may I keep 'em!"

"Of course, " said the doctor; "and take care of them, like a good boy. "

"Yes. I'm going to be a very good boy now, sir. She says I am to. "

He nodded his head in the direction of Helen, and stood upon one leg toease the foot which the shoe pinched. 

"That's right, but don't say _she_. You must look upon Miss Grayson nowas if she were your sister. "

"Yes, that I will, " said the boy warmly. 

Helen flushed a little at her father's words, and a serious look cameinto her sweet face; but at that moment she felt Dexter steal his handinto hers, and then it was lifted and held against the boy's cheek, as, in feline fashion, he rubbed his face against it, and a smile came intoher eyes again, as she laid the hand at liberty upon the closely croppedhead. 

"I say, ain't she pretty, and don't she look nice?" said Dextersuddenly; and his free and easy way made the doctor frown: but he lookedat the boy's appearance, and in the belief that he would soon change themanners to match, he nodded, and said, "Yes. "

Helen looked at her father, as if asking him what next, but the doctorjoined his finger-tips and frowned, as if thinking deeply. 

"Dexter and I have been filling his drawers with his new clothes andlinen, " she said. 

"Yes; such a lot of things, " cried the boy; "and is that always to be mybedroom?"

"Yes; that's to be your room, " said the doctor. 

"And I've got three pairs of boots. I mean two pairs of boots, and onepair of shoes, " cried Dexter. "One pair on, and two in the bedroom; andI shall get up at six o'clock every morning, and clean 'em, and I'llclean yours too. "

"Hem!" coughed the doctor. "No, my boy, your boots will be cleaned foryou, and you will not have to dirty your hands now. "

The boy stared wonderingly, as the doctor enunciated a matter which wasbeyond his grasp. But all the time his eyes were as busy as those of amonkey, and wandering all over the study, and taking in everything hesaw. 

"May I leave Dexter with you now!" said Helen, "as I have a few littlematters to see to. "

"Yes, yes; of course, my dear. We are beginning capitally. Dexter, myboy; you can sit down on that chair, and amuse yourself with a book, while I go on writing. "

The boy looked at the chair, then at the doctor, and then at Helen. 

"I say, mayn't I go with you?" he said. 

"Not now, Dexter, I am going to be very busy. By and by I will take youfor a walk. "

Helen nodded, and left the room. 

"You'll find some books on that shelf, " said the doctor kindly; and heturned once more to his writing, while Dexter went to the bookcase, and, after taking down one or two works, found a large quarto containingpictures. 

He returned to the chair the doctor had pointed out, opened the bookupon his knees, turned over a few leaves, and then raised his eyes tohave a good long wondering stare at the doctor, as he sat frowning therevery severely, and in the midst of a great deal of deep thought put downa sentence now and again. 

Dexter's eyes wandered from the doctor to a dark-looking bust upon thetop of a book-shelf. From thence to a brown bust on the opposite shelf, at which he laughed, for though it was meant for Cicero, it put himgreatly in mind of Mr Sibery, and he then fell a-wondering what theboys were doing at the workhouse school. 

Just then the black marble timepiece on the shelf chimed four quarters, and struck eleven. 

"No matter what may be the descent, " wrote the doctor, "the human frameis composed of the same element. "

"I say, " cried Dexter loudly. 

"Eh? Yes?" said the doctor, looking up. 

"What time are you going to have dinner!"

"Dinner? One o'clock, sir. Why, it's not long since you hadbreakfast. "

"Seems a long time. "

"Go on looking at your book. "

Dexter obeyed, and the doctor went on writing, and became veryinterested in his work. 

So did not the boy, who yawned, fidgeted in his seat, rubbed his neckimpatiently, and then bent down and tried to ease his boot, whichevidently caused him pain. 

There was a pause during which Dexter closed the book and fidgetedabout; now one leg went out, now the other. Then his arms moved aboutas if so full of life and energy that they must keep on the jerk. 

There was another yawn, but the doctor did not hear it, he was too muchintent upon the chapter he was writing. Then a happy thought occurredto Dexter, and he raised the heavy quarto book he had upon his knees, placed it upon his head, and balanced it horizontally. 

That was too easy, there was no fun or excitement in the feat, so heplaced it edgewise. 

That was better, but very easy--both topwise and bottomwise. Harderwhen tried with the front edges upon his crown, for the big bookdemonstrated a desire to open. 

But he dodged that, and felt happier. 

He glanced at the doctor, and smiled at his profile, for in hisintentness the writer's thick bottom lip protruded far beyond the upper, and seemed to Dexter as if trying to reach the tip of his nose. 

What should he do next?

Could he balance that book on its back?

Dexter held it between his hands and cogitated. The back was round, therefore the feat would be more difficult, and all the more enjoyable, but would the book keep shut?

He determined to try. 

Up went the book, his hands on either side keeping it close. Then therewas a little scheming to get it exactly in equilibrium; this wasattained, and as the boy sat there stiff-necked and rigid of spine, withhis eyes turned upwards, there was nothing left to do now but to removehis hands. 

This he proceeded to do by slow degrees, a finger at a time, till theheavy work was supported only by the left and right forefingers, therounded back exactly on the highest point of his cranium. 

"All right, " said Dexter to himself, supremely happy in his success, andwith a quick movement he let his hands drop to his lap. 

For one solitary moment the great quarto volume remained balancedexactly; then, as a matter of course, it opened all at once. 

_Flip! flop! bang_!

The book had given him two boxes on the sides of the head, and then, consequent upon his sudden effort to save it, made a leap, and cameheavily upon the floor. 

Dexter's face was scarlet as he dropped upon his knees to pick it up, and found the doctor gazing at him, or, as in his own mind he put it, threatening a similar caning to that which Mr Sibery gave him a yearbefore, when he dropped the big Bible on the schoolroom floor. 

"Be careful, my boy, be careful, " said the doctor dreamily, for he washalf lost in thought. "That damages the bindings. Take a smallerbook. "

Dexter felt better, and hastily replaced the work on the shelf, takingone of a smaller size, and returning to his seat to bend down and thrusta finger inside his boot. 

"How they do hurt!" he thought to himself; and he made a suddenmovement. 

Then he checked himself. 

No; 'twas a pity. They were so new, and looked so nice. 

Yes, he would: they hurt so terribly; and, stooping down, he rapidlyunlaced the new boots, and pushed them off, smiling with gratificationat the relief. 

Then he had another good look round for something to amuse himself with, yawned, glanced at the doctor, dropped down on hands and knees, wentsoftly to the other side of the centre table, and began to creep aboutwith the agility of a quadruped or one of the monkey tribe. 

This was delightful, and the satisfied look on the boy's face was astudy, till happening to raise his eyes, he saw that the doctor hadrisen, and was leaning over the writing-table, gazing down at him with acountenance full of wonder and astonishment combined. 

"What are you doing, sir?" said the doctor sternly. "Have you lostsomething?"

Dexter might have said, "Yes, a button--a marble;" but he did not; heonly rose slowly, and his late quadrupedal aspect was emphasised by asheepish look. 

"Don't do that on the carpet, sir. You'll wear out the knees of yourtrousers. Why, where are your boots?"

"On that chair, sir, " said Dexter confusedly. 

"Then put them on again, and get another book. "

Dexter put on his boots slowly, laced them up, and then fetched himselfanother book. 

He returned to his seat, yawning, and glanced at the doctor again. 

_Booz, booz, booz, boom_--_'m_--_'m_. 

A bluebottle had flown in through the open window, bringing with it thesuggestion of warm sunshine, fields, gardens, flowers, and the blue skyand waving trees. 

"_Booz_!" said the bluebottle, and it dashed away, leaving a profoundsilence, broken by the scratching of the doctor's pen. 

"I say, " cried Dexter excitedly; "is that your garden?"

"Yes, my boy, yes, " said the doctor, without looking up from hiswriting. 

"May I go out in it?"

"Certainly, my boy. Yes, " said the doctor, without looking up, thoughthere was the quick sound of footsteps, and, with a bound, Dexter wasthrough the open French window, and out upon the lawn. 

The doctor did not heed the lapse of time, for he was intent upon hiswriting, and an hour had passed when the door opened and Helen returned. 

"Now I am at liberty, papa, " she said; "and--where is Dexter?"

"Eh? The boy? Bless me, I thought he was here!"

_Smash! Tinkle_!

The sound of breaking glass, and the doctor leaped to his feet, just asa loud gruff voice sounded--

"Here, you just come down. "

"Copestake!" cried the doctor. "Why, what is the matter out there!"

CHAPTER EIGHT. 

OLD DAN'L IS WROTH. 

Mr Grayson's was the best garden for twenty miles round. 

The Coleby people said so, and they ought to have known. 

But Dan'l Copestake said it was all nonsense. "Might be made a goodgarden if master wasn't so close, " he used to say to everybody. "Wantsmore money spent on it, and more hands kept. How'm I to keep a placelike that to rights with only two--me and a lab'rer, under me, and Peterto do the sweeping?"

Keep it to rights or not, it was to Helen Grayson four acres of delight, and she was to blame for a great deal which offended Dan'l Copestake, the head-gardener. 

"Papa, " it would be, "did you give orders for that beautiful privethedge to be cut down!"

"Eh? no, my dear, Copestake said it kept the light off some of thoseyoung trees, and I said he might cut it down. "

"Oh, do stop him, " cried Helen. "It will take years to grow up, andthis past year it has been delightful, with its sweet-scented blossomand beautiful black berries. "

So it was with scores of things. Helen wanted to see them growingluxuriantly, Dan'l Copestake loved to hash and chop them into miserablycramped "specimints, " as he called them, and the doctor got all theblame. 

But what a garden! It was full of old-fashioned flowers in greatclumps, many of them growing, to Dan'l's disgust, down among the fruitand vegetables. 

There were flowering shrubs and beautiful conifers, a greatmulberry-tree on the mossy lawn, and a huge red brick wall all round, literally covered with trained trees, which in their seasons were massesof white bloom, or glowing with purple and golden plums, and light red, black, or yellowy pink cherries, and great fat pears, while, facing thesouth, there were dozens of trees of peaches, nectarines, and downygolden apricots. 

As to the apples, they grew by the bushel, almost by the ton; and forstrawberries and the other lower fruits there was no such garden near. 

Then there was Helen's conservatory, always full of sweet-scentedflowers, and the vinery and pits, where the great purple and amberbunches hung and ripened, and the long green cucumber and melon came intheir good time. 

But Dan'l grumbled, as gardeners will. 

"Blights is offle, " he said. "It's the blightiest garden I ever see, and a man might spend all his life keeping the birds down with a gun. "

But Dan'l did not spend any part of his life, let alone all, keeping thebirds down with a gun. The doctor caught him shooting one day, andnearly shot him out of the place. 

"How dare you, sir?" he cried. "I will not have a single birddestroyed. "

"Then you won't get no peace, sir, nor not a bit of fruit. "

"I shall have the place overrun with slugs and snails, and all kinds ofinjurious blight, sir, if you use that gun. No, sir, you'll put netsover the fruit when it's beginning to ripen. That will do. "

The doctor walked away with Helen, and as soon as they were out ofsight, behind the great laurustinus clump, Helen threw her arms abouthis neck, and kissed him for saving her pet birds. 

Consequently, in addition to abundance of fruit, and although it was soclose in the town, there was always a chorus of song in the season; andeven the nightingale came from the woodlands across the river and sangwithin the orchard, through which the river ran. 

That river alone half made the place, for it was one of those uselessrivers, so commercial men called it, where the most you could do waspleasure-boating; barges only being able to ascend to Coleby Bridge, asort of busy colony from the town, two miles nearer the sea. 

"Yes, sir, " Sir James Danby had been known to say, "if the river couldbe deepened right through the town it would be the making of the place. "

"And the spoiling of my grounds, " said the doctor, "so I'm glad it runsover the solid rock. "

This paradise of a garden was the one into which Dexter darted, and inwhich Dan'l Copestake was grumbling that morning--

"Like a bear with a sore head, that's what I say, " said Peter Cribb tothe under-gardener. "Nothing never suits him. "

"Yes, it do, " said Dan'l, showing a very red face over a clump ofrhododendron. "Master said you was to come into the garden three days aweek, and last week I only set eyes on you twice, and here's half theweek gone and you've only been once. "

"Look here, " said Peter Cribb, a hard-looking bullet-headed man offive-and-twenty; and he leaned on his broom, and twisted one verytightly trousered leg round the other, "do you think I can sit upon thebox o' that there wagginette, drivin' miles away, and be sweeping thishere lawn same time!"

"Master said as it was your dooty to be in this garden three days aweek; and t'other three days you was to do your stable-work--there. "

"Didn't I go out with the carriage every day this week?"

"I don't know when you went out with the carriage, and when you didn't, "said Dan'l; "all I know is as my lawn didn't get swept; and how thedoctor expects a garden like this here to be kept tidy without help, Ishould be glad to know. "

"Well, you'd better go and grumble at him, and not worry me, and--pst!Lookye there. "

He pointed with his broom, and both men remained paralysed at the sightwhich met their eyes. 

It was not so much from its extraordinary nature as from what Dan'lafterwards spoke of as its "imperence. " That last, he said, was whatstaggered him, that any human boy should, in the very middle of the day, dare to do such a thing in his garden. 

He said _his_ garden, for when speaking of it the doctor seemed to beonly some one who was allowed to walk through it for a treat. 

What the two men gazed at was the figure of a boy, in shirt andtrousers, going up the vinery roof, between where the early and the latehouses joined and there was a sloping brick coping. From this they sawhim reach the big wall against which the vinery was built, and there hesat for a few moments motionless. 

"Why, who is he?" said Peter, in a whisper. "He went up that vineryjust like a monkey. "

Peter had never seen a monkey go up the roof of a vinery, but Dan'l didnot notice that. 

"Hold your row, " said Dan'l, in a low voice; "don't speak, and we'llketch my nabs. Now we know where my peaches went last year. "

"But who is he!" whispered Peter. 

"I don't know, and I don't care, but I mean to have him as sure as he'sthere. Now if master hadn't been so precious 'tickler about a gun, Icould ha' brought him down like a bird. "

"Lookye there, " cried Peter. "See that?"

"Oh yes, I see him, " said Dan'l, as the figure ran easily along the topof the twelve-foot wall on all-fours. "I see my gentleman. Nice littlegame he's having. I'll bet a shilling he's about gorged with grapes, and now he's on the look-out for something else. But let him alone;wait a bit and we'll put salt on his tail before he can say what's what. I knowed some grapes was a-going. I could about feel it, like. "

"Well, I never!" whispered Peter, peering through the laurustinus, andwatching the boy. "See that?"

"Oh yes, I see him. Nice un he is. "

This last was consequent upon the boy running a few yards, and thenholding tightly with his hands, and kicking both legs in the air two orthree times before trotting on along the wall again as easily as atomcat. 

"See that?" said Peter. 

"Oh yes, I can see, " said Dan'l. "He's so full o' grapes it makes himlively, " and he stared at the boy, who had suddenly stopped, andplanting his hands firmly, stood up on them, balancing himself, with hislegs spread wide in the air. 

"He'll break his neck, that's what he'll do, " said Peter. 

"Good job too, I says, " grumbled Dan'l. "Boys like that ought to bedone away with. He's one on 'em out o' the town. Now look here, Peter, we've got to get him, that's what we've got to do. "

"Ah, that's better, " said Peter, who had been nervous ever since a horseran away with him. "I don't like to see a boy doing dangerous thingsthat how. "

"Don't call a thing like that a boy, do yer!" said Dan'l. "I calls itmonkey rubbidge. Now you step round the house, and through the stable, and get down that side o' the wall, and I'll go this. Don't you seem tosee him till you hear me whistle. Then grab. "

"But how am I to grab when he's up there!" said Peter. 

"Ah! 'tis high up, " said Dan'l. "Wish I'd got one o' themgrappling-irons as hangs down by the bridge; I'd fetch him off prettyquick. "

"Shall I get a fruit-ladder?" suggested Peter. 

"Nay, we don't want no fruit-ladders, " grumbled Dan'l. "We'll soonfetch his lordship down. Now then, you be off. "

"Stop a moment, " said Peter, as he watched the boy intently. "Look athim! Well, I never did!"

It was a very true remark. Peter certainly never did, and very few boyswould have cunning enough to perform such a feat with so much ease. For, after running about fifty yards along the top of the wall, thelittle fellow turned quickly and ran back again, made offers as if hewere going to leap down, and then suddenly squatted down in exactimitation of a cat, and began licking his arms, and passing them overhis head. 

"Well, he caps me!" cried Peter. "I never see a boy do anything likethat since I was at a show at Exeter, and then it was a bigger chap thanhim. "

"Look here, " said Dan'l; "I've got it. You get a big strongclothes-prop, and I'll get another, and we'll poke him off. If he comesdown your side, mind this: he'll be like a rat, and off as quick asquick; but don't you let him go. Drop your prop, and throw yourself onhim; we'll ketch him, and take him in to the gov'nor, and he'll know nowwhere the fruit goes. You couldn't net chaps like this. "

In happy ignorance of the doctor's plans, Peter and Dan'l each providedhimself with a clothes-prop, and in due time made for the appointedsides of the wall; but no sooner did the boy catch sight of his pursuersthan he started off on another all-fours run; but this took him awayfrom the house, and before he had gone far he turned and ran back. 

Dan'l whistled, and Peter made a poke at the runner from one side of thewall, while Dan'l made a savage poke from the other. 

The boy, who seemed as active as a squirrel, dodged them both, ran alongtoward the vinery, and as fast as the various trees would allow the twomen followed. 

Peter was soon out of the race, for a lean-to shed on his side of thewall put a stop to further pursuit, and Dan'l, who looked as maliciousas a savage after a wild beast, had the hunt all to himself. 

"Ah!" he shouted, as he stopped panting, "now I've got you, my finefellow. "

This was untrue, for he was as far off his quarry as ever, he being atthe front of the vinery, and the boy on the top of the wall right at theback of the glass slope. 

"Now, then, none o' yer nonsense, and down yer come. "

Down the boy did not come, for he squatted there at the top, in asitting position, with his arms round his knees, gazing coolly butwatchfully at the gardener. 

"D'yer hear? come down!"

The Yankee 'coon in the tree, when he saw the celebrated ColonelCrockett taking aim at him, and in full possession of the hunter'sreputation as a dead shot, is reported to have said, "Don't shoot; I'llcome down;" and the boy might have said something of the kind to Dan'lCopestake. But he had no faith in the gardener, and it is expecting toomuch of a boy who is seated in a safe place, to conclude that he willsurrender at the first summons, especially to a fierce-looking man, whois armed with a very big stick. 

This boy had not the least intention of giving himself up as a prisoner, and he sat and stared at Dan'l, and Dan'l stared at him. 

"Do you hear me?" cried Dan'l; but the boy did not move a muscle, heonly stared. 

"Are you over there, Peter?" shouted Dan'l. 

"Ay! All right!"

"You stop there, then, and nip him if he comes your way. I'll get aladder, and will soon have him down. "

"All right!" came from Peter again; and the boy's eyes watched keenlythe old gardener's movements. 

"Do you hear what I say!" continued Dan'l. "Am I to fetch that ladder, or will you come down without!"

The boy did not move. 

"Let's see: I can reach you with this here, though, " Dan'l went on. "Not going to have any more of your nonsense, my fine fellow, so nowthen. "

The boy's eyes flashed as he saw the gardener come close up to the footof the glass slope, and reach toward him with the long ash clothes-prop;but he measured mentally the length of that prop, and sat still, for, ashe had quickly concluded, the gardener could not, even with his armfully extended, reach to within some feet of where he sat. 

Dan'l pushed and poked about, and nearly broke a pane of glass, but theboy did not stir. 

"Oh, very well: only you'd better get down; you'll have it all the worseif I do fetch that ladder. "

Still the boy made no sign. He merely glanced to right and left, andcould have dashed along the wall at once, but that would have taken himdown the garden, toward the river, and that was the direction in whichhe did not want to go. 

To his left there was a portion of the house, the wall rising a goodheight, so that there was no escape in that direction. His way waseither by the garden wall, or else down the slope of the vinery, as hehad gone up. 

But, like a lion in his path, there at the foot of this slope stoodDan'l, with the great clothes-prop, and the boy, concluding that he wasbest where he was, sat and stared at the gardener, and waited. 

"Oh, very well then, my fine fellow: ladder it is, " cried Dan'l; and, sticking the prop into the ground with a savage dig, he turned and ranoff. 

It was only a feint, and he turned sharply at the end of a dozen steps, to find, as he expected, that the boy had moved, and begun to descend. 

Dan'l ran back, and the boy slipped into his former place, and sat likea monument of stone. 

"Oh, that's your game, is it!" said Dan'l. "But it won't do, my finefellow. Now, are you coming down?"

No reply. 

Dan'l reflected. 

If he went off to fetch the ladder from the stable-yard, the boy wouldslide down the top of the vinery and escape. 

That would not do. 

If he called to Peter to fetch the ladder, the boy would wait till thegroom was gone, and slip over the wall, drop, and escape that way. 

That would not do either. 

Hah! There was the labourer. He could call him. 

It was past twelve, and he had gone to his dinner, Dan'l, like Peter, taking his at the more aristocratic hour of one. 

Dan'l was in a fix. He meant to have that boy, and make an example ofhim, but a great difficulty stared him in the face. 

There was no one to call, unless he waited till the doctor came. If thedoctor came, he would perhaps take a lenient view of the matter, and letthe boy go, and, unless Dan'l could first give the prisoner a soundthrashing with a hazel stick, one of a bundle which he had in histool-shed, all his trouble would have been in vain. 

So he would not call the doctor. 

He made two or three more feints of going, and each time the boy beganto descend, but only to dart back as the gardener turned. 

"Oh, that's your game, is it!" said Dan'l. "Very well; come down, butyou can't get out of the garden if you do. "

The next time, after a few minutes' thought, Dan'l turned and ran ashard as he could, with every appearance now of going right off for theladder. But he had made his plans with no little calculation ofprobabilities; and his idea was now to go right on till he had given theboy time to descend, and make for one of the entrances, when he meant toreturn, run him down, and seize him, before the young scamp, as hecalled him, had time to clamber up any other place. 

Dan'l ran on, and the boy watched him; and as soon as the gardenershowed by his movements that he was evidently going away, began todescend. 

Hardly, however, had he reached the ground than Dan'l turned, saw him, and made a fresh dash to capture him. 

If the gardener had waited a couple more minutes he would have had abetter chance. As it was, the boy had time to reach the dividing wallof the vinery wall again, but just as he was scrambling up, Dan'l wasupon him, and was in the act of grasping one arm, when it was snatchedaway. 

In the effort the boy lost his composure, and the steady easy-goingconfidence which had enabled him to trot along with such facility; andthe consequence was that as he made a final bound to reach the back wallhis right foot slipped, went through a pane of glass, and as thisstartled him more, he made another ill-judged attempt, and, slipping, went through the top of the vinery, only saving himself from droppingdown inside by spreading his arms across the rafters, and hanging, caught as if in a trap. 

"Here, just you come down!"

Directly after the doctor appeared in the study window, and, closelyfollowed by Helen, hurried toward the front of the vinery, where thegardener stood. 

CHAPTER NINE. 

A RELEASE. 

"Glad you've come, sir, " said the old gardener, telling a tremendousfib. "Got one on 'em at last. "

"Got one of them?" cried the doctor. 

"Why--"

"O papa dear! look!" cried Helen. 

"One of them nippers as is always stealing our fruit, " continued Dan'l. 

"Why, Dexter, " cried the doctor; "you there!" He stared wildly at theboy, who, with his legs kicking to and fro in the vinery in search ofsupport, looked down from the roof of the building like a sculpturedcherub, with arms instead of wings. 

"Yes, it's all right, " said the boy coolly. "Ain't much on it broken, "while Dan'l stared and scratched his head, as he felt that he had madesome mistake. 

"You wicked boy!" cried Helen, with a good deal of excitement. "How didyou get in such a position!"

"I couldn't help it, " said Dexter. "He chivied me all along the top o'the wall with that great stick, and there's another chap t'other side. He was at me too. "

"Is this true, Copestake!" cried the doctor angrily. 

"Well, yes, sir; I s'pose it is, " said the gardener. "Me and Peter seehim a-cuttin' his capers atop o' that wall, and when we told him to comedown, he wouldn't, and fell through our vinery. "

"Who was going to come down when you was hitting at him with that bigstick?" said Dexter indignantly. 

"You had no business atop of our wall, " said the gardener stoutly. "Andnow look at the mischief you've done. "

"Tut--tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"Please, sir, I didn't know as he was any one you knew. "

"No, no, of course not, " said the doctor pettishly. "Tut--tut--tut!Dear me! dear me!"

"I say, ain't some one coming to help me down?" said Dexter, in anill-used tone. 

"Yes, yes, of course, " said the doctor. "Keep still, sir, or you'll cutyourself. "

"I have cut myself, and it's a-bleeding, " said the boy. "Look here, ifone of you goes inside this place, and holds up that big long prop, Ican put my foot in the fork at the end, and climb up again. "

"Get a ladder quickly, Copestake, and call the groom. "

"Yes, sir, " said Dan'l; and he went off grumbling, while the doctorseized the prop, and went into the vinery. 

"Are you much hurt, Dexter?" said Helen sympathisingly. 

"I d'know, " he replied. "It hurts a bit. I slipped, and went through. "

"Now, sir, keep your legs still, " cried the doctor from inside, as heraised the prop. 

"All right, " said the boy, and the next moment one of his feet rested inthe fork of the ash prop; but, though the prisoner struggled, and thedoctor pushed, there was no result. 

"I wants some one to lend a hand up here, " said Dexter. 

"If I try I shall break some more glass. Is that old chap coming back--him as poked me!"

"Yes, yes, " cried Helen. "Keep still; there's a good boy. "

"No, I ain't, " he said, smiling down at her in the most ludicrous way. "I ain't a good boy. I wish I was. Will he give it me very much?"

He tapped with his hand on the glass, as he pointed down at the doctor, who was still supporting the boy's foot with the prop. 

Helen did not reply, for the simple reason that she did not know what tosay; and the boy, feeling bound, was making a fresh struggle to freehimself, when Dan'l came in sight, round the end of the house, with alight ladder, and just behind him came Peter, with a board used whenglass was being repaired. 

"Here they come, " said Dexter, watching the approach eagerly. "I amglad. It's beginning to hurt ever so. "

Dan'l laid the ladder against the vinery at some distance from thefront, so that it should lie upon the roof at the same angle, and then, holding it steady, Peter, who was grinning largely, mounted with theboard, which he placed across the rafters, so that he could kneel down, and, taking hold of Dexter, who clasped his hands about his neck, hebodily drew him out, and would have carried him down had the boy notpreferred to get down by himself. 

As he reached the foot of the ladder the doctor was standing ready forhim, armed with the clothes-prop, which he held in his hand, as if itwere a weapon intended for punishment. 

The boy looked up in the stern face before him, and the doctor put on atremendous frown. 

"Please, sir, I'm very sorry, sir, " said Dexter. 

"You young rascal!" began the doctor, seizing his arm. 

"Oh, I say, please, sir, don't hit a fellow with a thing like that. "

"Bah!" ejaculated the doctor, throwing down the prop, which fell on thegrass with a loud thud. "Copestake!--Peter!--take those things away, and send for the glazier to put in those squares. Here, Dexter; thisway. "

The doctor strode away half a dozen steps, and then stopped and gazeddown. 

"Where is your jacket, sir? and where are your boots?"

"I tucked 'em under that tree there that lies on the grass, " said theboy, pointing to a small cedar. 

"Fetch them out, sir. "

Dexter went toward the tree, and his first instinct was to make a dashand escape, anywhere, so as to avoid punishment, but as he stooped downand drew his articles of attire from beneath the broad frond-likebranches, he caught sight of Helen's eyes fixed upon him, so full oftrouble and amusement that he walked back, put his hand in the doctor's, and walked with him into the house. 

Helen followed, and as she passed through the window Dan'l turned toPeter with--

"I say, who is he?"

"I dunno. Looks like a young invalid. "

"Ay, that's it, " said the gardener. "Hair cut short, and looks verywhite. He's a young luneattic come for the governor to cure. Well, ifthat's going to be it, I shall resign my place. "

"Oh, I wouldn't do that, " said Peter, who was moved to say it from thesame feeling which induced the old woman to pray for long life to thetyrant--for fear they might get a worse to rule over them. "Doctor'llmake him better. Rum-looking little chap. "

As they spoke, they were carrying the ladder and board round to the backof the house, and, in doing so, they had to pass the kitchen door, whereMaria was standing. 

"See that game!" said Peter. 

"Oh yes. I saw him out of one of the bedroom windows. "

"Young patient, ain't he?" said Peter. 

"Patient! Why, he's a young workhouse boy as master's took a fancy to. I never see such games, for my part. "

Peter whistled, and the head-gardener repeated his determination toresign. 

"And he'll never get another gardener like me, " he said. 

"That's a true word, Mr Copestake, sir, " said Peter seriously. Andthen to himself: "No, there never was another made like you, you oldtyrant. I wish you would go, and then we should have a little peace. "

CHAPTER TEN. 

DEXTER IS VERY SORRY. 

Dexter walked into the doctor's study, and Helen came as rearguardbehind. 

"Now, sir, " said the doctor sternly, "I suppose you know that I'm verymuch displeased with you. "

"Yes, sir, of course you are, " said the boy seriously. "I don't wonderat it. "

Dr Grayson bit his lip. 

"Are you going to cane me?"

"Wait and see, sir. Now, first thing, you go up to your room and washyour hands, and dress yourself properly. Then come down to me. "

Dexter glanced at Helen, but she kept her eyes averted, and the boy wentslowly out, keeping his gaze fixed upon her all the time. 

"A young scamp!" said the doctor, as soon as they were alone. "I'mafraid I shall have to send him back. "

Helen looked at him. 

"I expected him to be a little wild, " continued the doctor; "but he isbeyond bearing. What do you say, my dear? Too bad, is he not?"

Helen was silent for a few moments. 

"It is too soon to say that, papa, " she replied at last. "There is agreat deal in the boy that is most distasteful, but, on the other hand, I cannot help liking the little fellow. "

"Yes; that's just it, " cried the doctor. "I feel as if I should like togive him a sound thrashing, but, at the same time, I feel that I couldnot raise a hand against him. What's to be done? Shall I send himback, and choose another?"

"No, no, papa. If you intend to adopt a boy, let us keep this one, andsee what he turns out. "

Just then the bell rang for lunch, and a minute after Dexter camerunning down into the room, with a smile, as if nothing was the matter, shining out of his eyes. 

"I say, wasn't that the dinner-bell?" he cried. "I am so precioushungry. "

"And have you no apologies to make, sir? Aren't you sorry you were somischievous, and broke the top of my vinery?"

"Yes; I'm very sorry, sir; but it was that old chap's fault. He made merun and slip. I say, what would he have done if he had caught me?"

"Punished you, or brought you in to me, sir. Now, then, I've beentalking about sending you back to the workhouse. You are toomischievous for me. "

"Send me back!"

"Yes, of course. I want a boy who will be good. "

"Well, I will. "

"So you said before, but you are not good. You are about as mischievousa young rascal as I ever saw in my life. "

"Yes, sir; that's what Mr Sibery used to say, " replied the boy quietly. "I don't want to be. "

"Then why are you, sir?"

The boy shook his head, and looked up at the doctor thoughtfully. 

"I suppose it's in me, " he said. 

Helen bit her lip, and turned away, while her father gave his head afierce rub, as if he was extremely vexed. 

"Shall you send me back, sir!" said Dexter at last; and his look wasfull of wistful appeal. 

"Well, I shall think about it, " said the doctor. 

"I don't want to go, " said the boy thoughtfully. "You don't want me togo, do you?" he continued, turning to Helen. 

"Here, the lunch is getting cold, " said the doctor. "Come along. "

As he spoke he half-pushed Dexter before him, and pointed to a chair. 

The boy hesitated, but a sharp command from the doctor made him scuffleinto his place, after which the grace was said, and the dinner commencedfor Dexter--the lunch for his patron and friend. 

Roast fowl most delicately cooked, with a delicious sauce; in additionto that made with bread; and there was an ornamentation round the dishof tempting sausages. 

The odour from the steaming dishes was enough to have attracted anycoarsely-fed workhouse boy, just as a flower, brings a bee from afar. 

Helen was helped to a couple of choice slices from the breast, and thenthe doctor, looking stern all the while, carved off the liver wing, witha fine long piece of juicy breast adhering, and laid it on a plate, withthe biggest sausage, gravy, and sauce, Maria carrying the plateafterwards to Helen to be well supplied with vegetables. 

Then, according to custom, Maria departed with her nose in the air, andher bosom overcharged with indignant remonstrances, which she was goingto let off at Mrs Millett. 

The meal was commenced in silence, Dexter taking up his knife and fork, and watching by turns the doctor and Helen, to see how they handledtheirs. Then he cut the sausage in half, just as the doctor had cuthis, and looked hard at him, but the doctor was gazing down at his plateand frowning. 

Dexter looked at Helen, but she was gazing at her father, and everythingwas very still in the dining-room, while from without, faintly heard, there came the rippling song of a lark, far away over the meadow acrossthe river. 

That fowl smelt delicious, and looked good in the extreme, but Dexterlaid down his knife and fork, and sat perfectly still. 

Helen saw everything, but she did not speak, and the annoyance she hadfelt began to diminish, for the boy was evidently suffering keenly. 

"Hallo!" said the doctor. "Don't you like chicken!"

The boy started, and looked up at him with a troubled face. 

"I say, don't you like chicken, sir!"

Dexter tried to answer, but the words would not come; and he sat therewith the tears gathering in his eyes, though he tried hard to choke hisemotion down. 

The doctor was very angry, and sadly disappointed; but he said no more, only went on with his lunch. 

"Eat your dinner, " said Helen, after a time; and she leant over towardthe boy, and whispered the words kindly. 

He gave her a quick, grateful look, but he could not speak. 

"Come, sir, eat your dinner, " said the doctor at last. 

"Please, sir, I can't, " the boy faltered. 

"Why not?"

Dexter had to make another fight to keep down his tears before he couldsay--

"Please, sir, I never could eat my breakfast when I knew I was going tohave the cane. "

The doctor grunted, frowned, and went on eating, while the boy directeda pitiful appealing look at Helen. 

"Yes, " she said at last, "what do you want?"

"May I go up to that place where I slept last night?"

Helen glanced at her father, who nodded shortly, and went on with hisdinner, while the required permission being given by Helen, the boy rosehastily, and hurried out of the room. 

Doctor Grayson was silent for a few minutes, and then he took a glass ofsherry. 

"A young scoundrel!" he said. "It's not pleasant to have to say so, butI've made a mistake. "

"And are you going to give up your project, papa?" said Helen. 

"_No_, " he thundered. "Certainly not. It's very awkward, for thatbullet-headed drill-sergeant Hippetts will laugh at me, and say `I toldyou so, ' but I shall have to take the boy back. "

Helen was silent. 

"He told me I should, " he continued; "but I would not believe him. Theyoung dog's face attracted me. He looked so frank and ingenuous. ButI'll soon pick out another. My theory is right, and if I have tenthousand obstacles, I'll carry it out, and prove to the world that Iknew what I was at. "

Helen went on slowly with her lunch, thinking deeply the while. 

"Well?" said the doctor angrily, "why don't you speak? Are youtriumphing over my first downfall!"

Helen looked up at her father, and smiled reproachfully. 

"I was thinking about Dexter, " she said softly. 

"A confounded ungrateful young dog! Taken him from that wretched place, clothed him, offered him a home of which he might be proud, and he turnsupon me like that!"

"It was the act of a high-spirited, mischievous boy, " said Helenquietly. 

"Mischievous! I should think it was. Confound him! But I'll have nomore of his tricks. Back he goes to the Union, and I'll have onewithout so much spirit. "

Helen continued her lunch, and the doctor went on with his, but only toturn pettishly upon his child. 

"I wish to goodness you'd say something, Helen, " he cried. "It's soexasperating to have every one keeping silence like that. "

Helen looked up and smiled. 

"Yes, and that's just as aggravating, " said the doctor. "Now you arelaughing at me. "

"No, no; I was thinking very seriously about your project. "

"One which I mean to carry out, madam. "

"Of course, papa, " said Helen quietly; "but I would not be damped at theoutset. "

"What do you mean, Helen?"

"I mean that I should not take that poor boy back to the life from whichyou have rescued him, just because he has displayed a few pranks, alldue to the exuberance of his nature. Coming from such a place, andmaking such a change, he is sure to feel it strongly. He is, so tospeak, bubbling over with excitement and--"

"Here, stop a moment, " said the doctor, in astonishment. "I give up. You had better write that book. "

"Not I, papa dear, " said Helen, smiling. "And if you are really bentupon this experiment--"

"And I am, " said the doctor. "Nothing shall change me. "

"Then I think you have selected the very boy. "

"You do!" said the doctor excitedly. 

"Yes. He is just the wild little savage for you to reclaim. "

"But--but a little too bad, Helen?"

"No, papa, I think not; and I think you are not justified in saying bad. I believe he is a very good boy. "

"You do?"

"Yes; full of mischief as a boy can be, but very, very affectionate. "

"Yes. I think he is, " assented the doctor. 

"I think he will be very teachable. "

"Humph!"

"And it was plain to see that he was touched to the heart with grief atour anger. "

"Or is it all his artfulness!"

"Oh no, papa! Certainly not that. The boy is frank and affectionate ascan be. "

"Then you think it is possible to make a gentleman of him?"

"If it is possible of any boy whom you could get from the Union, papa. "

"And you really think he is frank and tender-hearted?"

Helen pointed to the boy's untouched plate. 

"And you would not exchange him for something a little more tractable?"

"I don't think you could. I really begin to like the mischievous littlefellow, and I believe that in a very short time we should see a greatchange. "

"You do?"

"Yes; but of course we must be prepared for a great many more outbreaksof this kind. "

"Unless I stop them. "

"No, no, you must not stop them, " said Helen quietly. "These littleebullitions must not be suppressed in that way--I mean with undueseverity. "

"Then you really would not take--I mean send him back?"

"No, " said Helen. "I think, perhaps, I could help you in all this. "

"My dear Helen, " cried the doctor eagerly. "My dear child, you don'tknow how pleased you make me. I felt that for your sake I must take himback. "

"For my sake?" exclaimed Helen. 

"Yes; that it was too bad to expose you to the petty annoyances andtroubles likely to come from keeping him. But if you feel that youcould put up with it till we have tamed him down--"

Helen rose from her chair, and went behind her father's, to lay herhands upon his shoulders, when he took them in his, and crossed themupon his breast, so as to draw her face down over his shoulder. 

"My dear father, " she said, as she laid her cheek against his, "I don'tknow--I cannot explain, but this boy seems to have won his way with mevery strangely, and I should be deeply grieved if you sent him away. "

"My dear Helen, you've taken a load off my mind. There, go and fetchthe poor fellow down. He wanted his dinner two hours ago, and he mustbe starved. "

Helen kissed her father's forehead, and went quietly up to Dexter'sroom, listened for a few moments, heard a low sob, and then, softlyturning the handle of the door, she entered, to stand there, quite takenaback. 

The boy was crouched in a heap on the floor, sobbing silently, and withhis breast heaving with the agony of spirit he suffered. 

For that she was prepared, but the tears rose in her eyes as she graspedanother fact. There, neatly folded and arranged, just as the Unionteaching had prompted him, were the clothes the boy had worn that day, even to the boots placed under the chair, upon which they lay, while theboy had taken out and dressed himself again in his old workhouse livery, his cap lying on the floor by his side. 

Helen crossed to him softly, bent over him, and laid her little whitehand upon his head. 

The boy sprang to his feet as if he had felt a blow, and stood beforeher with one arm laid across his eyes, as, in shame for his tears, hebent his head. 

"Dexter, " she said again, "what are you going to do?"

"Going back again, " he said hoarsely. "I'm such a bad un. They alwayssaid I was. "

"And is that the way to make yourself better?"

"I can't help it, " he said, half defiantly. "It's no use to try, andI'm going back. "

"To grieve me, and make me sorry that I have been mistaken?"

"Yes, " he said huskily, and with his arm still across his eyes. "I'mgoing back, and old Sibery may cut me to pieces, " he added passionately. "I don't care. "

"Look up at me, Dexter, " said Helen gently, as she laid her hand uponthe boy's arm. "Tell me, " she continued, "which will you do?--go back, or try to be a good boy, and do what you know I wish you to do, andstay!"

He let her arm fall, gazed wildly in her eyes, and then caught her handand dropped upon his knees, sobbing passionately. 

"I will try; I will try, " he cried, as soon as he could speak. "Take medown to him, and let him cane me, and I won't cry out a bit. I'll takeit all like Bill Jones does, and never make a sound, but don't, don'tsend me away. "

Helen Grayson softly sank upon her knees beside the boy, and took him inher arms to kiss him once upon the forehead. 

"There, Dexter, " she said gently, as she rose. "Now bathe your eyes, dress yourself again, and come downstairs to me in the dining-room, asquickly as you can. "

Helen went to her own room for a few moments to bathe her own eyes, andwonder how it was that she should be so much moved, and in so short atime. 

The doctor was anxiously awaiting her return. 

"Well!" he said; "where is the young scamp!"

"In his room, " replied Helen, "and--"

"Well--well!" said the doctor impatiently. 

"Oh no, father dear, " said Helen quietly, but with more emotion in hervoice than even she knew. "We must not send him back. "

Then she told what had passed, and the doctor nodded his head. 

"No, " he said; "we must not send him back. "

Just then there was a knock at the door, and Maria entered to clearaway. 

"Not yet, Maria, " said Helen quietly. "Take that chicken back, and askMrs Millett to make it hot again. "

"And the vegetables, ma'am!"

"Yes. I will ring when we want them. "

Maria took the various dishes away with a very ill grace, and dabbedthem down on the kitchen table, almost hard enough to produce cracks, asshe delivered her message to Mrs Millett, who looked annoyed. 

"You can do as you please, Mrs Millett, " said Maria, giving herself ajerk as if a string inside her had been pulled; "but I'm a-going to lookout for a new place. "

CHAPTER ELEVEN. 

MASTER GRAYSON GOES FOR A WALK. 

"Couldn't have believed it, " said the doctor one evening, when a weekhad passed away. "It's wonderful. " Helen smiled. 

"A whole week, and the young dog's behaviour has been even better than Icould wish. Well, it's very hopeful, and I am extremely glad, Helen, extremely glad. "

Helen said nothing, but she thought a good deal, and, among otherthings, she wondered how Dexter would have behaved if he had been leftto himself. Consequently, she felt less sanguine than the doctor. 

The fact was that she had given up everything to devote the whole of hertime to the boy, thus taking care that he was hardly ever left tohimself. 

She read to him, and made him read to her, and battled hard to get himout of his schoolboy twang. 

Taken by his bright, handsome face, and being clever with her brush, shehad made him sit while she painted his likeness; that is, she tried tomake him sit, but it was like dealing with so much quicksilver, and shewas fain to give up the task as an impossibility after scolding, coaxing, and bribing, coming to the conclusion that the boy could notkeep still. 

She played games with him; and at last risked public opinion verybravely by taking the boy out with her for a walk, when one of the firstpersons she met was Lady Danby. 

"I say, what did she mean!" said Dexter, as they walked away. 

"That lady--Lady Danby!"

"Yes. Why did she look sorry for me, and call me a _protege_?"

"Oh, " said Helen, smiling; "it is only a French word for any one who isadopted or protected, as papa is protecting you. "

"But is it a funny word!"

"Funny? Oh dear no!"

"Then why did she laugh, curious like?"

Helen could not answer that question. 

"She looked at me, " said Dexter, "as if she didn't like me. I've seenladies look like that when they've come to see the schools, and us boy'sused to feel as if we'd like to throw slates at them. "

"You have no occasion to trouble yourself about other people's opinions, Dexter, " said Helen quietly; "and of course now you couldn't throwstones or anything else at a lady. "

"No; but I could at a boy. I could hit that chap ever so far off. Himas was with that Lady Danby. "

"Oh, nonsense! come along; we'll go down by the river. "

"Yes; come along, " cried Dexter excitedly; "but I don't see why heshould sneer at me for nothing. "

"What? Master Danby!"

"Yes, him. All the time you two were talking, he kept walking round me, and making faces as if I was physic. "

"You fancied it, Dexter. "

"Oh no, I didn't. I know when anybody likes me, and when anybodydoesn't. Lady Danby didn't like me, and she give a sneery laugh whenshe called me a _protege_, and when you weren't looking that chap madean offer at me with the black cane he carried, that one with a silvertop and black tassels. "

"Did he?"

"Didn't he just! I only wish he had. I'd ha' given him such a oner. Why, I could fight two like him with one hand tied behind me. "

Helen's face grew cloudy with trouble, but she said nothing then, onlyhurried the boy along toward the river. 

In spite of her determination she avoided the town main street, andstruck off by the narrow turning which led through the old churchyard, with its grand lime-tree avenue and venerable church, whose crocketedspire was a landmark for all the southern part of the county. 

"Look, look!" cried Dexter. "See those jackdaws fly out? There's onesitting on that old stone face. See me fetch him down. "

"No, no, " cried Helen, catching his arm. "You might break a window. "

"No, I wouldn't. You see. "

"But why throw at the poor bird? It has done you no harm. "

"No, but it's a jackdaw, and you always want to throw stones atjackdaws. "

"And at blackbirds and thrushes and starlings too, Dexter?" said Helen. 

The boy looked guilty. 

"You didn't see me throw at them?"

"Yes, I did, and I thought it very cruel. "

"Don't you like me to throw stones at the birds?"

"Certainly I do not. "

"Then I won't, " said Dexter; and he took aim with the round stone hecarried at the stone urn on the top of a tomb, hitting it with asounding crack. 

"There, wasn't that a good aim!" he said, with a smile of triumph. "Itcouldn't hurt that. That wasn't cruel. "

Helen turned crimson with annoyance, for she had suddenly become awareof the fact that a gentleman, whom she recognised as the Vicar, wascoming along the path quickly, having evidently seen the stone-throwing. 

She was quite right in her surmise. It was the Vicar; and notrecognising her with her veil down, he strode toward them, making up anangry speech. 

"Ah, Miss Grayson, " he said, raising his hat, and ceasing to make hisstick quiver in his hand, "I did not recognise you. "

Then followed the customary hand-shakings and inquiries, during whichDexter hung back, and gazed up at the crocketed spire, and at thejackdaws flying in and out of the slits which lit the stone staircasewithin. 

"And who is this?" said the Vicar, raising his glasses to his eyes, butknowing perfectly well all the time, he having been one of the first tolearn of the doctor's eccentricity. "Ah, to be sure; Doctor Grayson's_protege_. Yes, I remember him perfectly well, and I suppose youremember me!"

"Yes, I remember you, " said Dexter. "You called me a stupid boy becauseI couldn't say all of _I desire_. "

"Did I? Ah, to be sure, I remember. Well, but you are not stupid now. I dare say, if I asked you, you would remember every word. "

"Don't think I could, " said the boy; "it's the hardest bit in the Cat. "

"But I'm not going to ask you, " said the Vicar. "Miss Grayson here willexamine you, I'm sure. There, good day. Good day, Miss Grayson;" and, to Helen's great relief, he shook hands with both. "And I'm to ask younot to throw stones in the churchyard, " he added, shaking his stickplayfully. "My windows easily break. "

He nodded and smiled again, as Helen and her young companion went on, watching them till they had passed through the further gate anddisappeared. 

"A mischievous young rascal!" he said to himself. "I believe I shouldhave given him the stick if it had been anybody else. "

As he said this, he walked down a side path which led past the tomb thathad formed Dexter's target. 

"I dare say he has chipped the urn, " he continued, feeling exceedinglyvexed, as a Vicar always does when he finds any wanton defacement of thebuilding and surroundings in his charge. 

"No, " he said aloud, and in a satisfied tone, "unhurt. But tut--tut--tut--tut! what tiresome young monkeys boys are!"

He turned back, and went thoughtfully toward the town. 

"Singular freak on the part of Grayson. Most eccentric man, " hecontinued. "Danby tells me--now really what a coincidence! Sir James, by all that is singular! Ah, my dear Sir James, I was thinking aboutyou. Ah, Edgar, my boy, how are you?"

He shook hands warmly with the magistrate and his son. 

"Thinking about me, eh!" said Sir James, rather pompously. "Then I'llbe bound to say that I can tell you what you are thinking. "

"No, I believe I may say for certain you cannot, " said the Vicar, smiling. 

"Of calling on me for a subscription. "

"Wrong this time, " said the Vicar good-humouredly. "No; I have just metMiss Grayson with that boy. "

"Indeed!"

"Yes; very eccentric of Grayson, is it not!"

"Whim for a week or two. Soon get tired of it, " said Sir James, laughing. 

"Think so?"

"Sure of it, sir; sure of it. "

"Well, I hope not, " said the Vicar thoughtfully. "Fine thing for thepoor boy. Make a man of him. "

"Ah, but he is not content with that. He means to make a gentleman ofhim, and that's an impossibility. "

"Ah, well, " said the Vicar good-humouredly; "we shall see. "

"Yes, sir, " said Sir James; "we shall see--we shall see; but it's a mostunpleasant episode in our midst. Of course, being such near neighbours, I have been on the most intimate terms with the Graysons, and Lady Danbyis warmly attached to Helen Grayson; but now they have this boy there, they want us to know him too. "

"Indeed!" said the Vicar, looking half-amused, half puzzled. 

"Yes, sir, " said Sir James; "and they want--at least Grayson does--Edgarhere to become his playmate. "

"Ah!" ejaculated the Vicar. 

"Sent word yesterday that they should be glad if Edgar would go andspend the afternoon. Awkward, sir; extremely awkward. "

"Did he go?"

"Go? no, sir; decidedly not. Edgar refused to go, point-blank. "

Master Edgar was walking a little way in front, looking like a smalledition of his father in a short jacket, for he imitated Sir James'sstride, put on his tall hat at the same angle, and carried his blackcane with its two silken tassels in front of him, as a verger in churchcarries a wand. 

"I wasn't going, " said Master Edgar importantly. "I don't want to knowa boy like that. "

"What would you do under the circumstances?" said Sir James. 

"Do?" said the Vicar; "why I should--I beg your pardon--will you excuseme? I am wanted. "

He pointed to a lady who was signalling to him with a parasol, andhurried off. 

"How lucky!" he said to himself. "I don't want to offend Sir James; but'pon my word, knowing what I do of his young cub, I would rather haveGrayson's _protege_ on spec. "

"Where are we going for a walk, pa!" said Master Edgar importantly. 

"Through the quarry there, and by the windmill, and back home. "

"_No_; I meant to go down by the river, pa, to see if there are anyfish. "

"Another day will do for that, Eddy. "

"No, it won't. I want to go now. "

"Oh, very well, " said Sir James; and they took the way to the meadows. 

Meanwhile Helen and Dexter had gone on some distance ahead. 

"There, you see, Dexter; how easy it is to do wrong, " said Helen, as, feeling greatly relieved, she hurried on toward the meadows. 

"I didn't know it was doing wrong to have a cockshy, " said Dexter. "Seems to me that nearly everything nice that you want to do is wrong. "

"Oh no, " said Helen, smiling at the boy's puzzled face. 

"Seems like it, " said Dexter. "I say, he was going to scold me, only hefound I was with you, and that made him stop. Wish I hadn't thrown thestone. "

"So do I, " said Helen quickly. "Come, you have broken yourself offseveral bad habits this last week, and I shall hope soon to find thatyou have stopped throwing stones. "

"But mayn't I throw anything else?"

"Oh yes; your ball. "

"But I haven't got a ball. "

"Then you shall have one, " said Helen. "We'll buy one as we go back. There, it was a mistake, Dexter, so remember not to do it again. "

They were now on the banks of the glancing river, the hay having beenlately cut, and the way open right to the water's edge. 

"Yes, I'll remember, " said Dexter. "Look--look at the fish. Oh, don'tI wish I had a rod and line! Here, wait a moment. "

He was down on his chest, reaching with his hand in the shallow water. 

"Why, Dexter, " said Helen, laughing, "you surely did not think that youcould catch fishes with your hand!"

"No, " said the boy, going cautiously forward and striking an attitude;"but you see me hit one. "

As he spoke he threw a large round pebble which he had picked out of theriver-bed with great force, making the water splash up, while, insteadof sinking, the stone skipped from the surface, dipped again, and thendisappeared. 

As the stone made its last splash, the reality of what he had doneseemed to come to him, and he turned scarlet as he met Helen's eyes. 

"Dexter!" she said reproachfully. 

The boy took off his cap, looked in it, rubbed his closely cropped headin a puzzled way, and put his cap slowly on again, to stand once moregazing at his companion. 

"I can't tell how it is, " he said dolefully. "I think there must besomething wrong in my head. It don't go right. I never mean to do whatyou don't like, but somehow I always do. "

"Look there, Dexter, " said Helen quickly; "those bullocks seem vicious;we had better go back. "

She pointed to a drove of bullocks which had been put in the newly-cutmeadows by one of the butchers in the town, and the actions of theanimals were enough to startle any woman, for, being teased by theflies, they were careering round the field with heads down and tails up, in a lumbering gallop, and approaching the spot where the couple stood. 

They were down by the water, both the stile they had crossed and that bywhich they would leave the meadow about equidistant, while, as thebullocks were making straight for the river to wade in, and try to ridthemselves of their torment, it seemed as if they were charging downwith serious intent. 

"Come: quick! let us run, " cried Helen in alarm, and she caught atDexter's hand. 

"What! run away from them!" cried the boy stoutly. "Don't you be afraidof them. You come along. "

"No, no, " cried Helen; "it is not safe. "

But, to her horror, Dexter shook himself free, snatched off his cap, andrushed straight at the leading bullock, a great heavy beast with longhorns, and now only fifty yards away, while the drove were close at itsheels. 

The effect was magical. 

No sooner did the great animal see the boy running forward than itstopped short, and began to paw up the ground and shake its head, thedrove following the example of their leader, while, to Helen, as shestood motionless with horror, it seemed as if the boy's fate was sealed. 

For a few moments the bullock stood fast, but by the time Dexter waswithin half a dozen yards, he flung his cap right in the animal's face, and, with a loud snort, it turned as on a pivot, and dashed off towardthe upper part of the field, now driving the whole of the rest beforeit. 

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Dexter, picking up his cap, and coming backpanting. "That's the way to serve them. Come along. "

Helen was very white, but the colour began to come in her cheeks againas she saw the boy's bright, frank, animated face; and, as they crossedthe second stile, and rambled on through the pleasant meads, it began todawn upon her that perhaps it would not prove to be so unpleasant a taskafter all to tame the young savage placed in her hands. 

CHAPTER TWELVE. 

A PLEASANT LESSON. 

One minute Helen Grayson was delighted at the freshness of nature, andthe genuine delight and enthusiasm displayed by her companion, the nextthere came quite a cloud over everything, for it seemed to her that herewas a bright young spirit corroded and spoiled by the surroundings towhich it had been accustomed. 

"What's that? What flower's this? Oh, look at that butterfly! Here, Miss Grayson, see here--a long thin fly with his body all blue; and suchlovely wings. There's another with purple edges to it. Oh, howlovely!"

Helen's eyes brightened, and she began to enjoy her walk, and forget thestone-throwing, when Dexter damped her enjoyment. 

"Oh, here's a lark!" he cried, plunging down into a ditch, andreappearing after a hunt in the long wet grass with a large greenishfrog. 

"What have you found, Dexter!"

"A jolly old frog. Look here; I'll show you how the boys do up there atthe House. "

"I think you had better not, " said Helen, wincing. 

"But it's such a game. You get a flat piece of wood, about so long, andyou lay it across a stone. Then you set the frog on one end, andperhaps he hops off. If he does, you catch him again, and put him onthe end of the wood over and over again till he sits still, and he doeswhen he is tired. Then you have a stick ready, as if you were going toplay at cat, and you hit the end of the stick--"

"Oh!" ejaculated Helen. 

"I don't mean the end where the frog is, " cried Dexter quickly, as hesaw Helen's look of disgust; "I mean the other end; and then the frogflies up in the air ever so high, and kicks out his legs as if he wasswimming, and--"

Dexter began his description in a bright, animated way, full ofgesticulation; but as he went on the expression in his companion's faceseemed to chill him. He did not understand what it meant, only he feltthat he was doing or saying something which was distasteful; and hegradually trailed off, and stood staring with his narrative unfinished, and the frog in his hand. 

"Could you do that now, Dexter!" said Helen suddenly. 

"Do it?" he faltered. 

"Yes; with the frog. "

"I haven't got a bit of flat wood, and I have no stick, and if I had--I--you--I--"

He stopped short, with his head on one side, and his brows puckered up, gazing into Helen's eyes. Then he looked down, at the frog, and back atHelen. 

"You don't mean it?" he said sharply. "You don't want me to? I know:you mean it would hurt the frog. "

"Would it hurt you, Dexter, if somebody put you on one end of a plank, and then struck the other end!"

The boy took off his cap and scratched his head with his little finger, the others being closed round the frog, which was turned upside down. 

"The boys always used to do it up at the House, " he said apologetically. 

"Why!" said Helen gravely. 

"Because it was such fun; but they always made them hop well first. They'd begin by taking great long jumps, and then, as the boys huntedthem, the jumps would get shorter and shorter, and they'd be so tiredthat it was easy to make them sit still on the piece of wood. "

"And when they had struck the wood, and driven it into the air, what didthey do to the poor thing then?"

"Sent it up again. "

"And then?"

"Oh, they caught it--some of the boys did--caught it like a ball. "

"Have you ever done so?"

Dexter shuffled about from foot to foot, and looked at the prospect, then at the frog, and then slowly up at the clear, searching eyeswatching him. 

"Yes, " he said, with a sigh; "lots of times. "

"And was it to save the poor thing from being hurt by the fall on thehard ground!"

Dexter tried hard to tell a lie, but somehow he could not. 

"No, " he said slowly. "It was to put it back on the stick, so as theother boys could not catch it first. "

"What was done then!"

Dexter was silent, and he seemed to be taking a wonderful deal ofinterest in the frog, which was panting hard in his hot hand, with onlyits comical face peeping out between his finger and thumb, the brightgolden irised eyes seeming to stare into his, and the loose skin of itsthroat quivering. 

"Well, Dexter, why don't you tell me!"

"Am I to?" said the boy slowly. 

"Of course. "

There were a few more moments of hesitation, and then the boy said withan effort--

"They used--"

He paused again. 

"We used to get lots of stones and shy at 'em till they was dead. "

There was a long silence here, during which Helen Grayson watched theplay in the boy's countenance, and told herself that there was astruggle going on between the good and evil in the young nature, andonce more she asked herself how she could hesitate in the task beforeher. 

Meanwhile it was very uncomfortable for the frog. The day was hot;Dexter's hand was hotter still; and though there was the deliciouslycool gurgling river close at hand, with plenty of sedge, and the rootsof water grasses, where it might hide and enjoy its brief span of life, it was a prisoner; and if frogs can think and know anything about thechronicles of their race, it was thinking of its approaching fate, andwondering how many of its young tadpoles would survive to be as big asits parent, and whether it was worth while after all. 

"Dexter, " said Helen suddenly, and her voice sounded so clear andthrilling that the boy started, and looked at her in a shame-facedmanner. "Suppose you saw a boy--say like--like--"

"That chap we saw with the hat and stick? him who sneered at me?"

Helen winced in turn. She had young Edgar Danby in her mind, but wasabout to propose some other young lad for her illustration; but the boyhad divined her thought, and she did not shrink now from the feelingthat above all things she must be frank if she wished her companion tobe. 

"Yes; young Danby. Suppose you saw him torturing a frog, a lowlyreptile, but one of God's creatures, in that cruel way, what would yousay, now?"

"I should say he was a beast. "

Helen winced again, for the declaration was more emphatic and to thepoint than she had anticipated. 

"And what would you do?" he continued. 

"I'd punch his head, and take the frog away from him. Please, MissGrayson, " he continued earnestly; "I didn't ever think it was like that. We always used to do it--we boys always did, and--and--"

"You did not know then what you know now. Surely, Dexter, you willnever be so cruel again. "

"If you don't want me to, I won't, " he said quickly. 

"Ah, but I want you to be frank and manly for a higher motive than that, Dexter, " she said, laying her hand upon his shoulder. "There, I willnot say any more now. What are you going to do!"

"Put him in the river, and let him swim away. "

The boy darted to the side of the rippling stream, stooped down, andlowered the hand containing the frog into the water, opened it, and fora moment or two the half-dead reptile sat there motionless. Then therewas a vigorous kick, and it shot off into the clear water, diving rightdown among the water weeds, and disappearing from their view. 

"There!" said Dexter, jumping up and looking relieved. "You are notcross with me now!"

"I have not been cross with you, " she said; "only a little grieved. "

"Couldn't he swim!" cried the boy, who was anxious to turn theconversation. "I can swim like that, and dive too. We learned in ourgreat bath, and--Oh, I say, hark at the bullocks. "

Helen listened, and could hear a low, muttering bellow in the nextmeadow, accompanied by the dull sounds of galloping hoofs, which werenear enough to make the earth of the low, marshy bottom through whichthe river ran quiver slightly where they stood. 

Just then there was a piercing shriek, as of a woman in peril, anddirectly after a man's voice heard shouting for help. 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN. 

RAMPANT BEEF. 

"Here's something the matter!" cried Dexter; and, forgetting everythingin the excitement of the moment, he ran back as hard as he could tear tothe footpath leading to the stile they had crossed, the high untrimmedhedge between the fields concealing what was taking place. 

Helen followed quickly, feeling certain the while that the drove ofbullocks in the next meadow were the cause of the trouble and alarm. 

Dexter reached the stile far in advance; and when at last Helen attainedto the same post of observation, it was to see Sir James Danby at thefar side standing upon the next stile toward the town, shouting, andfrantically waving his hat and stick, while between her and the stoutbaronet there was the drove of bullocks, and Dexter approaching themfast. 

For a few moments Helen could not understand what was the matter, butdirectly after, to her horror, she saw that young Edgar Danby was on theground, with one of the bullocks standing over him, smelling at theprostrate boy, and apparently trying to turn him over with one of itshorns. 

"Here! Hi!" shouted Dexter; "bring me your stick. "

But Sir James, who had been chased by the leading bullock, wasbreathless, exhausted, and too nervous to attempt his son's rescue. Allhe seemed capable of doing was to shout hoarsely, and this he did morefeebly every moment. 

Dexter made a rush at the bullocks, and the greater part of the droveturned tail; but, evidently encouraged by its success, the leader of thelittle herd stood firm, tossed its head on high, shook its horns, anduttered a defiant bellow. 

"Here, I can't do anything without a stick, " said Dexter, in an ill-usedtone, and he turned and ran toward Sir James, while, still moreencouraged by what must have seemed to its dense brain like a freshtriumph, the bullock placed one of its horns under Edgar Danby andcleverly turned him right over. 

"Here, give me your stick!" shouted Dexter, as he ran up to Sir James. "You shouldn't be afraid o' them. "

"The boy will be killed, " cried Sir James, in agony; and he shoutedagain, "Help! help!"

"No, he won't, " cried Dexter, snatching the magistrate's heavy ebonystick from his hand. "I'll make 'em run. "

Raising the stick in the air, Dexter ran toward where the whole drovewere trotting back, and gathering round their leader, who now began tosing its war-song, throwing up its muzzle so as to straighten itsthroat, and emitting a bellow that was, in spite of its size, but apoor, feeble imitation of the roar of a lion. 

As Dexter ran up, the drove stood firm for a few moments; then thenearest to him arched its back, curved its tail, executed a clumsygambol, turned, and fled, the rest taking their cues from this, the mosttimid in the herd, and going off in a lumbering gallop, their heads nowdown, and their tails rigid, excepting a few inches, and the hairy tuftat the end. 

But the leader stood fast, and shaking its head, bellowed, lookedthreatening, and lowering one of its long horns, thrust it into theearth, and began to plough up the soft, moist soil. 

"Oh, you would, would you?" cried Dexter, who did not feel in theslightest degree alarmed, from ignorance probably more than bravery;and, dashing in, he struck out with the ebony stick so heavy a blow uponthe end of the horn raised in the air that the ebony snapped in two, andthe bullock, uttering a roar of astonishment and pain, swung round, andgalloped after its companions, which were now facing round at the top ofthe field. 

"Broke his old stick, " said Dexter, as he bent over Edgar. "Here, Isay; get up. They're gone now. You ain't hurt. "

Hurt or no, Edgar did not hear him, but lay there with his clothessoiled, and his tall hat trampled on by the drove, and crushed out ofshape. 

"I say, " said Dexter, shaking him; "why don't you get up?"

Poor Edgar made no reply, for he was perfectly insensible and cadaverousof hue. 

"Here! Hi! Come here!" cried Dexter, rising and waving his hands, first to Helen, and then to Sir James. "They won't hurt you. Come on. "

The effect of the boy's shout was to make the spot where he now kneltdown by Edgar Danby the centre upon which the spectators sought togather. Helen set off first; Sir James, feeling very nervous, followedher example; and the drove of bullocks, with quivering tails andmoistening nostrils, also began to trot back, while Dexter got one armbeneath the insensible boy, and tried hard to lift him, and carry him tothe stile nearest the town. 

But the Union diet had not supplied him with sufficient muscle, andafter getting the boy well on his shoulder, and staggering along a fewpaces, he stopped. 

"Oh, I say, " he muttered; "ain't he jolly heavy?"

A bellow from the leader of the bullocks made Dexter look round, andtake in the position, which was that the drove were again approaching, and that this combined movement had had the effect of making Helen andSir James both stop some forty yards away. 

"Here, come on!" cried Dexter. "I'll see as they don't hurt you. " AndHelen obeyed; but Sir James hesitated, till, having somewhat recoveredhis nerve, and moved by shame at seeing a young girl and a boy performwhat was naturally his duty, he came on slowly, and with no littletrepidation, toward where Dexter was waiting with his son. 

"That's right!" cried Dexter. "Come along. You come and carry him. Iain't strong enough. I'll soon send them off. "

The situation was ludicrous enough, and Sir James was angry withhimself; but all the same there was the nervous trepidation to overcome, and it was a very hard fight. 

"Let me try and help you carry him, " said Helen quickly. 

"No, no; you can't, " cried the boy. "Let him. Oh, don't I wish I'd gota stick. Here, ketch hold. "

This last was to Sir James, whose face looked mottled as he came up. Heobeyed the boy's command, though: took his son in his arms, and began toretreat with Helen toward the stile. 

Meanwhile the bullocks were coming on in their customary stupid way. 

"That's right; you go, sir, " cried Dexter. "I'll talk to them, " and, toHelen's horror, he went down on his hands and knees and ran at thedrove, imitating the barking of a dog, not very naturally, butsufficiently true to life to make the drove turn tail again and gallopoff, their flight being hastened by the flight of Edgar's damaged hat, which Dexter picked up and sent flying after them, and spinning throughthe air like a black firework till it dropped. 

"'Tain't no good now, " said the boy, laughing to himself; "and never wasmuch good. Only done for a cockshy. I'll take them back, though. "

This last was in allusion to the broken stick, which he picked up, anddirectly after found Master Edgar's tasselled cane, armed with which hebeat a retreat toward the group making for the stile, with Helenbeckoning to him to come. 

The bullocks made one more clumsy charge down, but the imitation dog gotup by Dexter was enough to check them, and the stile was crossed insafety just as a butcher's man in blue, followed by a big rough dog, came in sight. 

Sir James was at first too indignant and too much upset to speak to theman. 

"It's of no use, Miss Grayson, " he said, "but his master shall certainlybe summoned for this. How dare he place those ferocious bulls in afield through which there is a right of way? O my poor boy! my poorboy! He's dead!--he's dead!"

"He ain't, " said Dexter sharply. 

"Shall I carry him, sir?" said the butcher's man, forgetful of the factthat he would come off terribly greasy on the helpless boy's blackclothes. 

"No, man, " cried Sir James. "Go and watch over those ferocious beasts, and see that they do not injure any one else. "

"Did they hurt him, sir!" said the man eagerly. 

"Hurt him! Look, " cried Sir James indignantly. 

"He ain't hurt, " said Dexter sturdily. "Only frightened. There was achap at our school used to go like that. He's fainting, that's what heis doing. You lay him down, and wait till I come back. "

Dexter ran to the river, and, without a moment's hesitation, plunged inhis new cap, and brought it back, streaming and dripping, with as muchwater as he could scoop up. 

Too nervous even to oppose the boy's order, Sir James had lowered hisson to the ground, and, as he lay on the grass, Helen bathed andsplashed his face with the water, till it was gone. 

"I'll soon fetch some more, " cried Dexter. 

But it was not needed, for just then Edgar opened his eyes, lookedwildly round, as if not comprehending where he was, and then exclaimedwith a sob--

"Where's the bull?"

"Hush! hush! my boy; you are safe now; thanks to the bravery of thisgallant lad. "

Dexter puckered up his forehead and stared. 

"Where's my hat!" cried Edgar piteously. 

"Scrunched, " said Dexter shortly. "Bullocks trod on it. "

"And my silver-topped cane!"

"There it lies on the grass, " said Dexter, stooping down and picking itup. 

"Oh, look at my jacket and my trousers, " cried Edgar. "What a mess I'min!"

"Never mind, my boy; we will soon set that right, " said Sir James. "There, try and stand up. If you can walk home it will be all thebetter now. "

"The brutes!" cried Edgar, with a passionate burst of tears. 

"Do you feel hurt anywhere?" said Helen kindly. 

"I don't know, " said the boy faintly, as he rose and took his father'sarm. 

"Can I help you, Sir James?" said Helen. 

"No, no, my dear Miss Grayson, we are so near home, and we will go in bythe back way, so as not to call attention. I can never thank yousufficiently for your kindness, nor this brave boy for his gallantry. Good-bye. Edgar is better now. Good-bye. "

He shook hands warmly with both. 

"Shake hands with Miss Grayson, Eddy, " said Sir James, while thebutcher's man sat on the stile and lit his pipe. 

Edgar obeyed. 

"Now with your gallant preserver, " said Sir James. 

Edgar, who looked extremely damp and limp, put out a hand unwillingly, and Dexter just touched it, and let his own fall. 

"You shall hear from me again, my man, " said Sir James, now once morehimself; and he spoke with great dignity. "Good day, Miss Grayson, andthanks. "

He went on quickly with his son, while Helen and Dexter took anotherfootpath, leading to a stile which opened upon the road. 

As they reached this, Dexter laid his arm upon the top rail, and hisforehead upon his wrist. 

"What is the matter, Dexter?" cried Helen, in alarm. 

"Nothing: I was only laughing, " said the boy, whose shoulders wereshaking with suppressed mirth. 

"Laughing?"

"Yes. What a game! They were both afraid of the bullocks, and you'veonly got to go right at 'em, and they're sure to run. "

"I think you behaved very bravely, Dexter, " said Helen warmly; "and asI've scolded you sometimes, it is only fair that when I can I ought topraise. You were very brave indeed. "

"Tchah! that isn't being brave, " said the boy, whose face was scarlet. "Why, anybody could scare a few bullocks. "

"Yes, but anybody would not, " said Helen, smiling. "There, let's makehaste home. I was very much frightened too. "

"Were you!" said Dexter, with wide open eyes. 

"Yes; weren't you?"

"No, " said Dexter; "there wasn't anything to be frightened about then. But I'm frightened now. "

"Indeed! What, now the danger is past?"

"No, not about that. "

"What then, Dexter?"

"Look at my new cap. "

He held up his drenched head-covering, all wet, muddy at the bottom, andout of shape. 

"'Tain't so bad as his chimney-pot hat, but it's awful, ain't it? Whatwill he say?"

"Papa? Only that you behaved exceedingly well, Dexter. He will be verypleased. "

"Think he will?"

"Yes; and you shall have a new cap at once. "

"Let's make haste back, then, " cried the boy eagerly, "for I'm as hungryas never was. But you're sure he won't be cross?"

"Certain, Dexter. I will answer for that. "

"All right. Come along. I was afraid I was in for it again. "

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. 

MR. DENGATE IS INDIGNANT, AND DEXTER WANTS SOME "WUMS. "

Mr Grayson was delighted when he heard the narrative from Helen. 

"There! what did I tell you!" he cried. "Proofs of my theory. "

"Do you think so, papa?"

"Think, my dear? I'm sure. Why, there it all was; what could have beenbetter? Young Danby has breed in him, and what did he do? Lay downlike a girl, and fainted. No, my dear, you cannot get over it. Pickyour subject if you will, but you may make what you like of a boy. "

"I hope so, papa. "

"That's right, my dear. Brave little fellow! Afraid I should scold himabout his cap? Thoughtless young dog, but it was all chivalrous. Couldn't have been better. He shall have a hundred caps if he likes. Hah! I'm on the right track, I'm sure. "

The doctor rubbed his hands and chuckled, and Helen went to bed thatnight better pleased with her task. 

Sir James Danby, who was the magnate of Coleby, sent a very furiousletter to Dengate the butcher, threatening proceedings against him forallowing a herd of dangerous bullocks to be at large in one of hisfields, and ordering him to remove them at once. 

Dengate the butcher read the letter, grew red in the face, and, afterbuttoning up that letter in his breast-pocket, he put on his greasy cap, and went to Topley the barber to get shaved. 

Dengate's cap was greasy because, though he was a wealthy man, he workedhard at his trade, calling for orders, delivering meat, and always twicea week, to use his own words, "killing hisself. "

Topley lathered Dengate's red round face, and scraped it perfectlyclean, feeling it all over with his soapy fingers, as well as carefullyinspecting it with his eye, to make sure that none of the very bristlystubble was left. 

While Topley shaved, Dengate made plans, and as soon as the operationwas over he went back home, and what he called "cleaned hisself. " Thatis to say, he put on his best clothes, stuck a large showy flower in hisbutton-hole, cocked his rather broad-brimmed hat on one side of hishead, and went straight to Dr Grayson's. 

Maria opened the door, stared at the butcher, who generally came to theback entrance, admitted him, received his message, and went into thestudy, where the doctor was writing, and Dexter busily copying a letterin a fairly neat round hand, but could only on an average get one wordand a half in a line, a fact which looked awkward, especially as Dextercut his words anywhere without studying the syllables. 

Dexter had just left off at the end of a line, and finished the firstletters of the word toothache, leaving "toot" as his division, andtaking a fresh dip of ink ready for writing "hache. "

"Don't put your tongue out, Dexter, my boy. "

"All right, " said Dexter. 

"And I would not suck the pen. Ink is not wholesome. "

"All right, I won't, " said Dexter; and he put the nibs between his lips. 

"Mr Dengate, sir, " said Maria. 

"Dengate? What does he want, Maria? Let him see Mrs Millett or MissHelen. "

Maria looked scornfully at Dexter, as if he had injured her in some way. 

"Which is what I said to him, sir. `Master's busy writing, ' I says; buthe says his dooty, sir, and if you would see him five minutes he wouldbe greatly obligated. "

The doctor said, "Send him in. "

Maria left the room, and there was a tremendous sound of wiping shoesall over the mat, although it was a dry day without, and the butcher'sboots were speckless. 

Then there was another burst of wiping on the mat by the study door as afinish off, a loud muttering of instructions to Maria, and the door wasopened to admit the butcher, looking hot and red, with his hat in onehand, a glaring orange handkerchief in the other, with which he dabbedhimself from time to time. 

"Good morning, Dengate, " said the doctor; "what can I do for you?"

"Good morning, sir; hope you're quite well, sir. If you wouldn't mind, sir, reading this letter, sir. Received this morning, sir. Sir James, sir. "

"Read it? ah, yes, " said the doctor. 

He ran through the missive and frowned. 

"Well, Dengate, " he said, "Sir James is a near neighbour and friend ofmine, and I don't like to interfere in these matters. "

"No, sir, of course you wouldn't, sir, but as a gentleman, sir, as Iholds in the highest respect--a gentleman as runs a heavy bill with me. "

"Hasn't your account been paid, Dengate!" said the doctor, frowning, while Dexter looked hard at the butcher, and wondered why his face wasso red, and why little drops like beads formed all over his forehead. 

"No, sir, it hasn't, sir, " said the butcher, with a chuckle, "and I'mglad of it. I never ask for your account, sir, till it gets lumpy. Ialways leave it till I want it, for it's good as the bank to me, and Iknow I've only to give you a hint like, and there it is. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"What I have come about is them bullocks, sir, hearing as your younglady, sir, and young shaver here--"

"Mr Dengate, " said the doctor, frowning, "this young gentleman is myadopted son. "

"Beg pardon, sir, I'm sure, " said the butcher obsequiously. "I hadheared as you'd had taken a boy from the--"

"Never mind that, Dengate, " said the doctor shortly, as the butcherdabbed himself hurriedly, --"business. "

"Exactly, sir. Well, sir, it's like this here: I'm the last man in theworld to put dangerous beasts in any one's way, and if I knowed that anyone o' them was the least bit risky to a human being, he'd be bullockto-day and beef to-morrow. D'yer see?"

"Yes, of course, " said the doctor, "and very proper. "

"But what I holds is, sir, and my man too says is, that there ain't abit o' danger in any on 'em, though if there was nobody ought tocomplain. "

"Well, there I don't agree with you, Dengate, " said the doctorhaughtily, as Dexter came and stood by him, having grown deeplyinterested. 

"Don't you, sir? Well, then, look here, " said the butcher, rolling hisyellow handkerchief into a cannon ball and ramming it into his hat, asif it were a cannon that he now held beneath his left arm. "There's apath certainly from stile to stile, but it only leads to my farrestmedder, and though I never says nothing to nobody who thinks it's a nicewalk down there by the river to fish or pick flowers or what not, thoughthey often tramples my medder grass in a way as is sorrowful to see, they're my medders, and the writing's in my strong-box, and not ashilling on 'em. All freehold, seven-and-twenty acres, and everybody asgoes on is a trespasser, so what do you say to that?"

The butcher unloaded the imaginary cannon as he said this triumphantly, and dabbed his face with the ball. 

"Say?" said the doctor, smiling; "why, that I'm a trespasser sometimes, for I like to go down there for a walk. It's the prettiest bit out ofthe town. "

"Proud to hear you say so, sir, " said the butcher eagerly. "It is, isn't it? and I'm proud to have you go for a walk there, sir. Honoured, I'm sure, and if the--er--the young gentleman likes to pick a spot outto keep ground baited for a bit o' fishing, why, he's hearty welcome, and my man shall save him as many maddicks for bait as ever he likes. "

"I'll come, " cried Dexter eagerly. "May I go?" he added. 

"Yes, yes; we'll see, " said the doctor; "and it's very kind of MrDengate to give you leave. "

"Oh, that's nothing, sir. He's welcome as the flowers in May; but whatI wanted to say, sir, was that as they're my fields, and people whocomes is only trespassers, I've a right to put anything I like there. Idon't put danger for the public: they comes to the danger. "

"Yes; that's true, " said the doctor. "Of course, now you mention it, there's no right of way. "

"Not a bit, sir, and I might turn out old Billy, if I liked. "

"I say, who is old Billy?" said Dexter. 

"Hush, my boy! Don't interpose when people are speaking. "

"Oh, let him talk, sir, " said the butcher, good-naturedly. "I like tohear a boy want to know. It's what my boy won't do. He's asleep halfhis time, and I feed him well too. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"Billy's my old bull, as I always keeps shut up close in my yard, because he is dangerous. "

"And very properly, " said the doctor. 

"Quite right, sir, quite right; and I want to know then what right SirJames has to come ordering me about. He's no customer of mine. Took itall away and give it to Mossetts, because he said the mutton was woolly, when I give you my word, sir, that it was as good a bit o' mutton as Iever killed. "

"Yes, yes, Dengate, but what has all this to do with me?" said thedoctor testily. 

"Well, sir, begging your pardon, only this: your young lady and younggentleman was there, and I want to know the rights of it all. My mansays the beasts are quiet enough, only playful, and I say the same; butI may be making a mistake. I went in the medder this morning, with myboy Ezry, and he could drive 'em anywheres, and he's only ten. Did theytrouble your young folks, sir?"

"Well, Dexter: you can answer that, " said the doctor. 

"Trouble us?--no!" said Dexter, laughing. "Miss Grayson was a bitafraid of 'em, but I ran the big one, and he galloped off across thefields. "

"There, " said the butcher; "what did I say? Bit playful, that's all. "

"And when we heard a noise, and found one of 'em standing over thatyoung Danby, he was only turning him over, that's all. "

"Yes; he was running away, and fell down, and the beasts came to look athim, " said Dengate, laughing. 

"And Sir James was over on the stile calling for help. Why, as soon asI ran at the bullocks they all galloped off, all but the big one, and Igive him a crack on the horn, and soon made him go. "

"Of course. Why, a child would make 'em run. That's all, sir, I onlywanted to know whether they really was dangerous, because if they hadbeen, as I said afore, bullock it is now, but beef it should be. Goodmorning, sir. "

"What are you going to do!" said the doctor. 

"Do, sir? I'm a-going to let Sir James do his worst. My beasts ain'tdangerous, and they ain't on a public road, so there they stay till Iwant 'em for the shop. Morning, young--er--gentleman. You're notafraid of a bullock?"

"No, " said Dexter quietly, "I don't think I am. "

"I'm sure you ain't, my lad, if you'll 'scuse me calling you so. Morning, sir, morning. "

The butcher backed out, smiling triumphantly, but only to put his headin again--

"Beg pardon, sir, only to say that if he'd asked me polite like, I'd ha'done it directly; but he didn't, and I'll stand upon my medder like aman. "

"Humph!" said the doctor, as soon as they were alone; "and so you werenot afraid of the bullocks, Dexter?"

"There wasn't anything to be afraid of, " said the boy. "I'm ever somuch more afraid of you. "

"Afraid?"

"Yes, when you look cross, sir, only then. "

"Well, you must not make me look cross, Dexter; and now get on with yourcopying. When you've done that you may go in the garden if you'll keepout of mischief. "

"And when may I go fishing?"

"When you like. "

"Down the meadows!"

"Why not fish down the garden; there's a capital place. "

"All right, " said Dexter. "I'll go there. But I want a rod and line. "

"There is an old rod in the hall, and you can buy a line. No, Helen isgoing out, and she will buy you one. "

Dexter's eyes glistened at the idea of going fishing, and he set to workmost industriously at the copying, which in due time he handed over tothe Doctor, who expressed himself as highly satisfied: though if hereally was, he was easily pleased. 

Helen had received her instructions, and she soon afterwards returnedwith the fishing-line, and a fair supply of extra hooks, and odds andends, which the doctor, as an old angler, had suggested. 

"These--all for me!" cried the boy joyfully. 

The doctor nodded. 

"Recollect: no mischief, and don't tumble in. "

"All right, sir, " cried the boy, who was gloating over the new silkline, with its cork float glistening in blue and white paint broughtwell up with varnish. 

"Do you know how to fish!"

"Yes, I know all about it, sir. "

"How's that? You never went fishing at the workhouse. "

"No, sir; but old Dimsted in the House used to tell us boys all aboutit, and how he used to catch jack and eels, and roach and perch, in theriver. "

"Very well, then, " said the doctor. "Now you can go. "

Dexter went off in high glee, recalling divers instructions given by thevenerable old pauper who had been a fishing idler all his life, theriver always having more attractions for him than work. His sonfollowed in his steps, and he again had a son with the imitativefaculty, and spending every hour he could find at the river-side. 

It was a well-known fact in Coleby that the Dimsteds always knew wherefish was to be found, and the baskets they made took the place of meatthat other fathers and sons of families would have earned. 

Rod, line, and hooks are prime necessaries for fishing; but a fishrarely bites at a bare hook, so one of Dexter's first proceedings was toobtain some bait. 

Mr Dengate had said that his man should save plenty of gentles for him;but Dexter resolved not to wait for them that day, but to try what hecould do with worms and paste. So his first proceeding was to appeal toMrs Millett for a slice or two of bread. 

Mrs Millett was not in the kitchen, but Maria was, and on beingappealed to, she said sharply that she was not the cook. 

Dexter looked puzzled, and he flushed a little as he wondered why it wasthat the maid looked so cross, and always answered him so snappishly. 

Just then Mrs Millett, who was a plump elderly female with a pleasantcountenance and expression, appeared in the doorway, and to her Dexterappealed in turn. 

Mrs Millett had been disposed to look at Dexter from the point of viewsuggested by Maria, who had been making unpleasant allusions to theboy's birth and parentage, and above all to "Master's strange goingson, " ever since Dexter's coming. Hence, then, the old lady, who lookedupon herself as queen of the kitchen, had a sharp reproof on her tongue, and was about to ask the boy why he hadn't stopped in his own place, andrung for what he wanted. The frank happy expression on his facedisarmed her, and she smiled and cut the required bread. 

"Well, I never!" said Maria. 

"Ah, my dear, " said Mrs Millett; "I was young once, and I didn't liketo be scolded. He isn't such a bad-looking boy after all, only he willkeep apples in his bedroom, and make it smell. "

"What's looks!" said Maria tartly, as she gave a candlestick she wascleaning a fierce rub. 

"A deal, my dear, sometimes, " said the old housekeeper. "Specially ifthey're sweet ones, and that's what yours are not now. "

Dexter was not yet armed with all he wanted, for he was off down thekitchen-garden in search of worms. 

His first idea was to get a spade and dig for himself; but the sterncountenance of Dan'l Copestake rose up before him, and set him wonderingwhat would be the consequences if he were to be found turning over somebed. 

On second thoughts he determined to find the gardener and ask forpermission, the dread of not succeeding in his mission making him forthe moment more thoughtful. 

Dan'l did not need much looking for. He had caught sight of Dexter assoon as he entered the garden, and gave vent to a grunt. 

"Now, what mischief's he up to now?" he grumbled; and he set to andwatched the boy while making believe to be busy cutting the dead leavesand flowers off certain plants. 

He soon became aware of the fact that Dexter was searching for him, andthis altered the case, for he changed his tactics, and kept on movinghere and there, so as to avoid the boy. 

"Here! Hi! Mr Copestake!" cried Dexter; but the old man had beensuddenly smitten with that worst form of deafness peculiar to those whowill not hear; and it was not until Dexter had pursued him round threeor four beds, during which he seemed to be blind as well as deaf, thatthe old man was able to see him. 

"Eh!" he said. "Master want me?"

"No. I'm going fishing; and, please, I want some worms. "

"Wums? Did you say wums!" said Dan'l, affecting deafness, and holdinghis hand to his ear. 

"Yes. "

"Ay, you're right; they are, " grumbled Dan'l. "Deal o' trouble, wums. Gets inter the flower-pots, and makes wum castesses all over the lawn, and they all has to be swept up. "

"Yes; but I want some for fishing. "

"'Ficient? Quite right, not sufficient help to get 'em swep' away. "

"Will you dig a few worms for me, please?" shouted Dexter in the oldman's ear. 

"Dig wums? What for? Oh, I see, thou'rt going fishing. No; I can'tstop. "

"May I dig some!" cried Dexter; but Dan'l affected not to hear him, andwent hurriedly away. 

"He knew what I wanted all the time, " said the boy to himself. "Hedon't like me no more than Maria does. "

Just then he caught sight of Peter Cribb, who, whenever he was not busyin the stable, seemed to be chained to a birch broom. 

"Will you dig a few worms for me, please?" said Dexter; "red ones. "

"No; I'm sweeping, " said the groom gruffly; and then, in the mostinconsistent way, he changed his tone, for he had a weakness for the rodand line himself. "Going fishing!"

"Yes, if I can get some worms. "

"Where's old Copestake!"

"Gone into the yard over there, " said Dexter. 

"All right. I'll dig you some. Go behind the wall there, by thecucumber frames. Got a pot!"

Dexter shook his head. 

"All right. I'll bring one. "

Dexter went to the appointed place, and in a few minutes Peter appeared, free from the broom now, and bearing a five-pronged fork and a smallflower-pot; for the fact that the boy was a brother angler supersededthe feeling of animosity against one who had so suddenly been raisedfrom a lowly position and placed over his head. 

Peter winked one eye as he scraped away some of the dry straw, and thenturned over a quantity of the moist, rotten soil, displaying plenty ofthe glistening red worms suitable for the capture of roach and perch. 

"There you are, " he said, after putting an ample supply in theflower-pot, whose hole he had stopped with a piece of clay; "there's asmany as you'll want; and now, you go and fish down in the deep hole, where the wall ends in the water, and I wish you luck. "

CHAPTER FIFTEEN. 

DEXTER MAKES A FRIEND. 

"I like him, " said Dexter to himself, as he hurried down the garden, found the place, and for the next ten minutes he was busy fitting up histackle, watching a boy on the other side of the river the while, as hesat in the meadow beneath a willow-tree fishing away, and every now andthen capturing a small gudgeon or roach. 

The river was about thirty yards broad at this spot, and as Dexterprepared his tackle and watched the boy opposite, the boy oppositefished and furtively watched Dexter. 

He was a dark, snub-nosed boy, shabbily-dressed, and instead of beingfurnished with a bamboo rod and a new line with glistening float, he hada rough home-made hazel affair in three pieces, spliced together, butfairly elastic; his float was a common quill, and his line of so manyhairs pulled out of a horse's tail, and joined together with apeculiarly fast knot. 

Before Dexter was ready the shabby-looking boy on the other side hadcaught two more silvery roach, and Dexter's heart beat fast as he atlast baited his hook and threw in the line as far as he could. 

He was pretty successful in that effort, but his cork float and the shotmade a loud splash, while the boy opposite uttered a chuckle. 

"He's laughing at me, " said Dexter to himself; and he tried theexperiment of watching his float with one eye and the boy with theother, but the plan did not succeed, and he found himself gazing fromone to the other, always hurriedly glancing back from the boy to thefloat, under the impression that it bobbed. 

He knew it all by heart, having many a time drunk in old Dimsted'swords, and he remembered that he could tell what fish was biting by theway the float moved. If it was a bream, it would throw the float up sothat it lay flat on the water. If it was a roach, it would give a shortquick bob. If it was a perch, it would give a bob, and then a series ofsharp quick bobs, the last of which would be right under, while if itwas a tench, it would glide slowly away. 

But the float did nothing but float, and nothing in the way of bobbing, while the shabby boy on the other side kept on striking, and every nowand then hooking a fish. 

"Isn't he lucky!" thought Dexter, and he pulled out his line to findthat the bait had gone. 

He began busily renewing it in a very _nonchalant_ manner, as he wasconscious of the fact that the boy was watching him keenly with criticaleyes. 

Dexter threw in again; but there was no bite, and as the time went on, it seemed as if all the fish had been attracted to the other side of theriver, where the shabby-looking boy, who fished skilfully and well, kepton capturing something at the rate of about one every five minutes. 

They were not large, but still they were fish, and it was mosttantalising to one to be patiently waiting, while the other was busylanding and rebaiting and throwing in again. 

At last a happy thought struck Dexter, and after shifting his floatabout from place to place, he waited till he saw the boy looking at him, and he said--

"I say?"

"Hullo!" came back, the voices easily passing across the water. 

"What are you baiting with?"

"Gentles. "

"Oh!"

Then there was a pause, and more fishing on one side, waiting on theother. At last the shabby boy said--

"You're baiting with worms, ain't you?"

"Yes. "

"Ah, they won't bite at worms much this time o' day. "

"Won't they?" said Dexter, putting out his line. 

"No. And you ain't fishing deep enough. "

"Ain't I!"

"No. Not by three foot. "

"I wish I'd got some gentles, " said Dexter at last. 

"Do you!"

"Yes. "

"Shall I shy some over in the box?"

"Can you throw so far?"

"Yers!" cried the shabby boy. "You'll give me the box again, won'tyou?"

"Yes; I'll throw it back. "

The boy on the other side divided his bait by putting some in a piece ofpaper. Then putting a stone in his little round tin box, he walked backa few yards so as to give himself room, stepped forward, and threw thebox right across, Dexter catching it easily. 

"Now, you try one o' them, " said the donor of the fresh bait. 

Dexter eagerly did as was suggested, and five minutes after there was asharp tug, which half drew his float below the surface. 

"Why, you didn't strike, " said the boy sharply. 

"Well, you can't strike 'em till you've got hold of them, " retortedDexter; and the shabby-looking boy laughed. 

"Yah!" he said; "you don't know how to fish. "

"Don't I! Why, I was taught to fish by some one who knows all aboutit. "

"So it seems, " said the boy jeeringly. "Don't even know how to strike afish. There, you've got another bite. Look at him; he's running awaywith it. "

It was no credit to Dexter that he got hold of that fish, for theunfortunate roach had hooked itself. 

As the float glided away beneath the surface, Dexter gave a tremendoussnatch with the rod, and jerked the fish out of the water among thebranches of an overhanging tree, where the line caught, and the captivehung suspended about a foot below a cluster of twigs, flapping about andtrying to get itself free. 

Dexter's fellow-fisherman burst into a roar of laughter, laid down hisrod, and stamped about on the opposite bank slapping his knees, whilethe unlucky fisherman stood with his rod in his hand, jigging the line. 

"You'll break it if you don't mind, " cried the shabby boy. 

"But I want to get it out. "

"You shouldn't have struck so hard. Climb up the tree, get out on thatbranch, and reach down. "

Dexter looked at the tree, which hung over the water to such an extentthat it seemed as if his weight would tear it from its hold in the bank, while the water looked terribly deep and black beneath. 

"I say, " cried the shabby boy jeeringly; "who taught you how to fish!"

"Why, old Dimsted did, and he knew. "

"Who did!" cried the boy excitedly. 

"Old Dimsted. "

"Yah! That he didn't. Why, he's been in the House these ten years--ever since I was quite a little un. "

"Well, I know that, " shouted back Dexter. "He taught me all the same. "

"Why, how came you to know grandfather!" cried the shabby boy. 

Dexter ceased pulling at the line, and looked across at hisshabbily-dressed questioner. For the first time he glanced down at hiswell-made clothes, and compared his personal appearance with that of theboy opposite, and in a curiously subtle way he began to awake to thefact that he was growing ashamed of the workhouse, and the people in it. 

"Yah! you didn't know grandfather, " cried the boy mockingly; "and youdon't know how to fish. Grandfather wouldn't have taught you to chuck afish up in the tree. You should strike gently, like that. "

He gave the top of his rod a slight, quick twitch, and hooked agood-sized roach. Dexter grinning to see him play it till it was feebleenough to be drawn to the side and lifted out. 

"That's the way grandfather taught me how to fish, " continued the boy, as he took the hook from the captive's mouth, "I say, what's your name!"

"Dexter Grayson, " was the answer, for the boy felt keenly already thatthe names Obed Coleby were ones of which he could not be proud. 

"Ever been in the workus!"

"Yes. "

"Ever see grandfather there!"

"Yes, I've seen him, " said Dexter, who felt no inclination to enlightenthe boy further. 

"Ah, he could fish, " said the boy, baiting and throwing in again. "Myname's Dimsted--Bob Dimsted. So's father's. He can fish as well asgrandfather. So can I, " he added modestly; "there ain't a good placenowheres in the river as we don't know. I could take you where youcould ketch fish every swim. "

"Could you?" said Dexter, who seemed awed in the presence of so muchknowledge. 

"Course I could, any day. "

"And will you?" said Dexter eagerly. 

"Ah dunno, " said the boy, striking and missing another fish. "Youwouldn't care to go along o' me?"

"Yes, I should--fishing, " cried Dexter. "But my line's fast. "

"Why don't you climb up and get it then? Ain't afraid, are you!"

"What, to climb that tree?" cried Dexter. "Not I;" and laying the roddown with the butt resting on the bank, he began to climb at once. 

"Mind yer don't tumble in, " cried Bob Dimsted; "some o' them boughs getsvery rotten--like touchwood. "

"All right, " said Dexter; and he climbed steadily on in happy ignoranceof the fact that the greeny lichen and growth was not good for darkcloth trousers and vests. But the bole of the tree was short, for ithad been pollarded, and in a minute or two he was in a nest of branches, several of which protruded over the water, the one in particular whichhad entangled the fishing-line being not even horizontal, but dippingtoward the surface. 

"That's the way, " shouted Bob Dimsted. "Look sharp, they're biting likefun. "

"Think it'll bear?" said Dexter. 

"Bear? Yes; half a dozen on yer. Sit on it striddling, and workyourself along till you can reach the line. Got a knife?"

"Yes. "

"Then go right out, and when you git far enough cut off the littlebough, and let it all drop into the water. "

"Why, then, I should lose the fish. "

"Not you. Ain't he hooked? You do as I say, and then git back, and youcan pull all out together. "

Dexter bestrode the branch, and worked himself along further and furthertill an ominous crack made him pause. 

"Go on, " shouted the boy from the other side. 

"He'll think I'm a coward if I don't, " said Dexter to himself, and heworked himself along for another three feet, with the silvery fish justbefore him, seeming to tempt him on. 

"There, you can reach him now, can't you?" cried the boy. 

"Yes; I think I can reach him now, " said Dexter. "Wait till I get outmy knife. "

It was not so easy to get out that knife, and to open it, as it wouldhave been on land. The position was awkward; the branch dipped at agreat slope now toward the water, and Dexter's trousers were not onlydrawn half-way up his legs, but drawn so tightly by his attitude that hecould hardly get his hand into his pocket. 

It was done though at last, the thin bough in which the line was tangledseized by the left hand, while the right cut vigorously with the knife. 

It would have been far easier to have disentangled the line, but BobDimsted was a learned fisher, and he had laid down the law. So Dextercut and cut into the soft green wood till he got through the littlebough all but one thin piece of succulent bark, dancing up and down thewhile over the deep water some fifteen feet from the bank. 

_Soss_!

That last vigorous cut did it, and the bough, with its summer burden ofleaves, dropped with a splash into the water. 

"There! What did I tell you!" cried Dexter's mentor. "Now you can getback and pull all out together. Fish won't bite for a bit after this, but they'll be all right soon. "

Dexter shut up his knife, thrust it as well as he could into his pocket, and prepared to return. 

This was not so easy, for he had to go backwards. What was more, he hadto progress up hill. But, nothing daunted, he took tight hold with hishands, bore down upon them, and was in the act of thrusting himselfalong a few inches, when--_Crack_!

One loud, sharp, splintering crack, and the branch, which was rottenthree parts through, broke short off close to the trunk, and like anecho to the crack came a tremendous--_Plash_!

That water, as already intimated, was deep, and, as a consequence, therewas a tremendous splash, and branch and its rider went down right out ofsight, twig after twig disappearing leisurely in the eddying swirl. 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN. 

"THEM AS IS BORN TO BE HANGED. "

It might have been presumed that Bob Dimsted would either have tried torender some assistance or else have raised an alarm. 

Bob Dimsted did nothing of the kind. 

For certain reasons of his own, and as one who had too frequently beenin the hot water of trouble, Master Bob thought only of himself, andcatching his line in his hand as he quickly drew it from the water, hehastily gathered up his fishing paraphernalia, and ran off as hard as hecould go. 

He had time, however, to see Dexter's wet head rise to the surface andthen go down again, for the unwilling bather had one leg hooked in thebough, which took him down once more, as it yielded to the current, andthe consequence was that when Dexter rose, breathless andhalf-strangled, he was fifty yards down the stream. 

But he was now free, and giving his head a shake, he trod the water fora few moments, and then struck out for the shore, swimming as easily asa frog. 

A few sturdy strokes took him out of the sharp current and into an eddynear the bank, by whose help he soon reached the deep still water, swimming so vigorously that before long he was abreast of the doctor'sgarden, where a group beneath the trees startled him more than hisinvoluntary plunge. 

For there, in a state of the greatest excitement, were the doctor andHelen, with Peter Cribb, with a clothes-prop to be used for a differentpurpose now. 

Further behind was Dan'l Copestake, who came panting up with the longesthandled rake just as Dexter was nearing the bank. 

"Will he be drowned?" whispered Helen, as she held tightly by herfather's arm. 

"No; he swims like a water-rat, " said the doctor. 

"No, no, " shouted Dexter, beginning to splash the water, and sheeringoff as he saw Dan'l about to make a dab at him with the rake. 

There was more zeal than discretion in the gardener's use of thisimplement, for it splashed down into the water heavily, the teeth nearlycatching the boy's head. 

"Here, catch hold of this, " cried Peter Cribb. 

"No, no; let me be, " cried Dexter, declining the offer of theclothes-prop, as he had avoided it before when he was on the top of thewall. "I can swim ashore if you'll let me be. "

This was so self-evident that the doctor checked Dan'l as he was aboutto make another skull-fracturing dash with the rake; and the next minuteDexter's hand clutched the grass on the bank, and he crawled out, withthe water streaming down out of his clothes, and his short hair gummed, as it were, to his head. 

"Here!" he cried; "where's my fish?"

"Fish, sir!" cried the doctor; "you ought to be very thankful thatyou've saved your life. "

"O Dexter!" cried Helen. 

"I say, don't touch me, " cried the boy, as she caught at his hand. "I'mso jolly wet. "

He was like a sponge just lifted out of a pail, and already about himthere was a pool. 

"Here, quick, sir; run up to the house and change your clothes, " criedthe doctor. 

"But I must get my fish, sir. "

"Fish!" cried the doctor angrily; "that's not the way to fish. "

"Yes, it was, sir; and I caught one. "

"You caught one!"

"Yes, sir; a beauty. "

"Look here, Dexter, " cried the doctor, catching him by his wet arm; "doyou mean to tell me that you dived into the river like that and caught afish!"

"No, sir; I fell in when I was getting my line out of the tree. "

"Oh, I see. "

"Beg pardon, sir, " said Dan'l sourly; "but he've broke a great branchoff this here tree. "

"Well, I couldn't help it, " said Dexter, in an ill-used tone. "I caughtmy line in the tree, and was obliged to get up and fetch it, and--stop aminute. I can see it. All right. "

He ran off along the river-bank till they saw him stoop just where thewall dipped down into the river. There he found the rod floating closeto the edge, and, securing it, he soon after drew in the loose branch hehad cut off the tree, and disentangled his line, with the little roachstill on the hook. 

"There!" he cried in triumph, as he ran back with rod, line, and fish;"look at that, Miss Grayson, isn't it a beauty, and--What are youlaughing at!"

This was at Peter Cribb, who was grinning hugely, but who turned away, followed by Dan'l. 

"Them as is born to be hanged'll never be drowned, " grumbled the oldgardener sourly, as the two men went away. 

"No fear of him being drowned, " said Peter. "Swims like a cork. "

"It's disgusting; that's what I say it is, " growled Dan'l; "disgusting. "

"What's disgusting?" said Peter. 

"Why, they cuddles and makes a fuss over a boy as is a reg'lar noosanceabout the place, just as any other varmint would be. Wish he haddrowned himself. What call was there for me to come and bring a rake!"

"Ah, he's a rum un, that he is, " said Peter. "And master's a rum un;and how they can take to that boy, Miss Helen specially, and have himhere's more'n I can understand. It caps me, that it do. "

"Wait a bit, my lad, and you'll see, " cried the old gardener. "He'sbegun his games just as such a boy would, and afore long this heregarden will be turned into such a wreck as'll make the doctor tear hishair, and wish as he'd never seen the young rascal. He's a bad un; youcan see it in his eye. He's got bad blood in him, and bad blood alluscomes out sooner or later. Peter Cribb, my lad--"

"Yes. "

"We're getting old fellow-servants, though you're only young. Peter, mylad, I'm beginning to tremble for my fruit. "

"Eh?"

"Yes; that I am, my lad, " said Dan'l in a whisper. "Just as Iexpected--I was watching of him--that rip's took up with bad company, Poacher Dimsted's boy; and that means evil. They was talking together, and then young Dimsted see me, and run away. "

"Did he?"

"Did he? Yes, he just did; and you mark my words, Peter Cribb, it willnot be long before the gov'ner gets rid of him. "

"Oh yes; it's a very beautiful fish, " said the doctor testily; "but makehaste in. There, run and get all your wet things off as quickly as youcan. "

Dexter was so deeply interested in the silvery scales and graceful shapeof his fish that he hardly heard the doctor's words, which had to berepeated before the boy started, nodded shortly, and ran off toward thehouse, while his patron walked to a garden chair, sat down, and gazed upat Helen in a perplexed way. 

Helen did not speak, but gazed back at her father with a suppressedlaugh twinkling about the corners of her lips. 

"You're laughing at me, my dear, " said the doctor at last; "but you markmy words--what I say is true. All this is merely the froth of the boy'snature, of which he is getting rid. But tut, tut, tut! All this mustbe stopped. First a new cap destroyed by being turned into a bucket, and now a suit of clothes gone. "

"They will do for a garden suit, papa, " said Helen, speaking as if shehad had charge of boys for years. 

"Well, yes: I suppose so, " said the doctor. "But there: I am not goingto worry myself about trifles. The cost of a few suits of clothes areas nothing compared to the success of my scheme. Now let's go in andsee if the young dog has gone to work to change his things. "

The doctor rose and walked up the garden, making comments to hisdaughter about the course of instruction he intended to pursue withDexter, and on reaching the house and finding that the object of histhoughts was in his bedroom, he went on to the study just as Maria camefrom the front door with a letter. 

"Letter, eh? Oh, I see. From Lady Danby!"

The doctor opened the letter. 

"Any one waiting!" he said. 

"Yes, sir. Groom waiting for an answer. "

"I'll ring, Maria, " said the doctor, and then he smiled and lookedpleased. "There, my deaf, " he cried, tossing the note to his daughter. "Now I call that very kind and neighbourly. You see, Sir James and LadyDanby feel and appreciate the fine manly conduct of Dexter over thatcattle, and they very wisely think that he not only deserves greatcommendation, but that the present is a favourable opportunity forbeginning an intimacy and companionship. "

"Yes, papa, " said Helen, with rather a troubled look. 

"Danby sees that he was wrong, and is holding out the right hand of goodfellowship. Depend upon it that we shall have a strong tie betweenthose two boys. They will go to a public school together, help oneanother with their studies, and become friends for life. Hah! Yes. Sit down, my dear, " continued the doctor, rubbing his hands. "My kindregards to Sir James and Lady Danby, that I greatly appreciate theirkindness, and that Dexter shall come and spend the day with Edgar onFriday. "

Helen wrote the note, which was despatched, and the doctor smiled, andlooked highly satisfied. 

"You remember how obstinate Sir James was about boys?"

"Yes, papa. I heard a part of the conversation, and you told me therest. "

"To be sure. You see my selection was right. Dexter behaved like alittle hero over that adventure. "

"Yes, " said Helen; "he was as brave as could be. "

"Exactly. All justification of my choice. I don't want to prophesy, Helen, but there will be a strong friendship between those boys fromthat day. Edgar, the weak, well-born boy, will always recognise themanly confidence of Dexter, the er--er, well, low-born boy, who in turnwill have his sympathies aroused by his companion's want of--er--well, say, ballast. "

"Possibly, papa. "

"My dear Helen, don't speak like that, " said the doctor pettishly. "Youare so fond of playing wet blanket to all my plans. "

"Oh no, papa; I am sure I will help you, and am helping you, in allthis, but it is not in my nature to be so sanguine. "

"Ah, well, never mind that. But you do like Dexter!"

"Yes; I am beginning to like him more and more. "

"That's right. I'm very, very glad, and I feel quite grateful to theDanbys. You must give Dexter a few hints about behaving himself, and, so to speak, keeping down his exuberance when he is there. "

"May I say a word, papa!"

"Certainly, my dear; of course. "

"Well, then, I have an idea of my own with respect to Dexter. "

"Ah, that's right, " said the doctor, smiling and rubbing his hands. "What is it!"

"I have been thinking over it all a great deal, dear, " said Helen, goingto her father's side and resting her hand upon his shoulder; "and itseems to me that the way to alter and improve Dexter will be byexample. "

"Ah yes, I see; example better than precept, eh!"

"Yes. So far his life has been one of repression and the severestdiscipline. "

"Yes, of course. Cut down; tied down, and his natural growth stopped. Consequently wild young shoots have thrust themselves out of hisnature. "

"That is what I mean. "

"Quite right, my dear; then we will give him as much freedom as we can. You will give him a hint or two, though. "

"I will do everything I can, papa, to make him presentable. "

"Thank you, my dear. Yes, these boys will become great companions, Ican see. Brave little fellow! I am very, very much pleased. "

The doctor forgot all about the broken branch, and Dexter's spoiled suitof clothes, and Helen went to see whether the boy had obeyed the lastcommand. 

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. 

DAN'L IS TOO ATTENTIVE. 

Things were not quite so smooth as Dr Grayson thought, for there hadbeen stormy weather at Sir James's. 

"Well, my dear, you are my husband, and it is my duty to obey, " saidLady Danby; "but I do protest against my darling son being forced toassociate with a boy of an exceedingly low type. "

"Allow me, my dear, " said Sir James importantly. "By Dr Grayson's act, in taking that boy into his house, he has wiped away any stigma whichmay cling to him; and I must say that the lad displayed a great deal ofanimal courage--that kind of brute courage which comes from an ignoranceof danger. "

"Is it animal courage not to be afraid of animals, ma?" said MasterEdgar. 

"Yes, my dear, of course, " said Lady Danby. 

"I wish Edgar would display courage of any kind, " said Sir James. 

"Why, you ran away from the bulls too, papa, " said Master Edgar. 

"I am a great sufferer from nervousness, Edgar, " said Sir Jamesreprovingly; "but we were not discussing that question. Dr Grayson hasaccepted the invitation for his adopted son. It is his whim for themoment, and it is only becoming on my part to show that we are gratefulfor the way in which the boy behaved. By the time a month has gone by, I have no doubt that the boy will be back at the--the place from whichhe came; but while he is at Dr Grayson's I desire that he be treated asif he were Dr Grayson's son. "

"Very well, James, " said Lady Danby, in an ill-used tone of voice. "Youare master here, and we must obey. "

The day of the invitation arrived. Dexter was to be at Sir James's intime for lunch, and directly after breakfast he watched his opportunityand followed Helen into the drawing-room. 

"I say, " he said; "I can't go there, can I?"

"Why not?" said Helen. 

"Lookye here. "

"Why, Dexter!" cried Helen, laughing merrily; "what have you beendoing!"

"Don't I look a guy!"

There was a change already in the boy's aspect; his face, short as thetime had been, was beginning to show what fresh air and good feedingcould achieve. His hair had altered very slightly, but still there wasan alteration for the better, and his eyes looked brighter, but hisgeneral appearance was comical all the same. 

Directly after breakfast he had rushed up to his room and put on theclothes in which he had taken his involuntary bath. These garments, aswill be remembered, had been obtained in haste, and were of the kindknown in the trade as "ready-mades, " and in this case composed of awell-glazed and pressed material, containing just enough wool to holdtogether a great deal of shoddy. 

The dip in the river had been too severe a test for the suit, especiallyas Maria had been put a little more out of temper than usual by havingthe garments handed to her to dry. 

Maria's mother was a washerwoman who lived outside Coleby on the common, and gained her income by acting as laundress generally for all who wouldintrust her with their family linen; but she called herself in yellowletters on a brilliant scarlet ground a "clear starcher. "

During Maria's early life at home she had had much experience in theways of washing. She knew the smell of boiled soap. She had oftenwatched the steam rising from the copper, and played among the clouds, and she well knew that the quickest way to dry anything that has beensoaked is to give it a good wringing. 

She had therefore given Dexter's new suit a good wringing, and wrung outof it a vast quantity of sticky dye which stained her hands. Then shehad--grumbling bitterly all the time--given the jacket, vest, andtrousers a good shake, and hung them over a clothes-horse as near to thefire as she could get them without singeing. 

Mrs Millett told her to be sure and get them nice and dry, and Mariadid get them "nice and dry. "

And now Dexter had put them on and presented himself before Helen, suggesting that he looked a guy. 

Certainly his appearance was suggestive of the stuffed effigy borneabout on the fifth of November, for the garments were shrunken so thathis arms and legs showed to a terrible extent, and Maria's wringing hadgiven them curves and hollows never intended by the cutter, the worstone being in the form of a hump between the wearer's shoulders. 

"The things are completely spoiled. You foolish boy to put them on. "

"Then I can't go to that other house. "

"Nonsense! You have the new clothes that came from the tailor's--thosefor which you were measured. "

"Yes, " said Dexter reluctantly; "but it's a pity to put on them. I mayget 'em spoiled. "

"Then you do not want to go, Dexter, " said Helen, smiling. 

"No, " he cried eagerly. "Ask him to let me stop here. "

"No, no, " said Helen kindly. "Papa wishes you to go there; it is verykind of the Danbys to ask you, and I hope you will go, and behave verynicely, and make great friends with Edgar Danby. "

"How?" said Dexter laconically. 

"Well, as boys generally do. You must talk to him. "

"What about?"

"Anything. Then you must play with him. "

"What at?"

"Oh, he'll be sure to suggest something to play at. "

"I don't think he will, " said Dexter thoughtfully. "He don't look thesort of chap to. "

"Don't say chap, Dexter; say boy. "

"Sort of boy to play any games. He's what we used to call a soft Tommysort of a chap--boy. "

"Oh no, no, no! I don't suppose he will be rough, and care forboisterous sports; but he may prove to be a very pleasant companion foryou. "

Dexter shook his head. 

"I don't think he'll like me. "

"Nonsense! How can you tell that? Then they have a beautiful garden. "

"Can't be such a nice one as this, " said Dexter. 

"Oh yes, it is; and it runs down to the river as this one does, and SirJames has a very nice boat. "

"Boat!" cried Dexter, pricking up his ears. "And may you go in it!"

"Not by yourselves, I suppose. There, I'm sure you will enjoy yourvisit. "

Dexter shook his head again. 

"I say, you'll come too, won't you?" he cried eagerly. 

"No, Dexter; not this time. "

The boy's forehead grew wrinkled all over. 

"Come, you are pretending that you do not want to go. "

"I don't, " said the boy, hanging his head. "I want to stay here alongwith you. "

"Perhaps I should like you to stay, Dexter, " said Helen; "but I wish youto go and behave nicely, and you can tell me all about it when you comeback. "

"And how soon may I come back?"

"I don't suppose till the evening, but we shall see. Now, go and changethose things directly. What would papa say if he saw you?"

Dexter went slowly up to his room, and came down soon after to look forHelen. 

He found her busy writing letters, so he went off on tiptoe to thestudy, where the doctor was deep in his book, writing with a very severefrown on his brow. 

"Ah, Dexter, " he said, looking up and running his eye critically overthe boy, the result being very satisfactory. "Let's see, you are to beat Sir James's by half-past twelve. Now only ten. Go and amuseyourself in the garden, and don't get into mischief. "

Dexter went back into the hall, obtained his cap, and went out throughthe glass door into the verandah, where the great wisteria hung avalance of lavender blossoms all along the edge. 

"He always says don't get into mischief, " thought the boy. "I don'twant to get into mischief, I'm sure. "

Half-way across the lawn he was startled by the sudden appearance ofDan'l, who started out upon him from behind a great evergreen shrub. 

"What are you a-doing of now?" snarled Dan'l. 

"I wasn't doing anything, " said Dexter, staring. 

"Then you were going to do something, " cried the old man sharply. "Lookhere, young man; if you get meddling with anything in my garden there'sgoing to be trouble, so mind that. I know what boys is, so none of yournonsense here. "

He went off grumbling to another part of the garden, and Dexter feltdisposed to go back indoors. 

"He's watching me all the time, " he thought to himself; "just as if Iwas going to steal something. He don't like me. "

Dexter strolled on, and heard directly a regular rustling noise, whichhe recognised at once as the sound made by a broom sweeping grass, andsure enough, just inside the great laurel hedge, where a little greenlawn was cut off from the rest of the garden, there was Peter Cribb, athis usual pursuit, sweeping all the sweet-scented cuttings of the grass. 

Peter was a sweeper who was always on the look-out for an excuse. Hewas, so to speak, chained to that broom so many hours a day, and if hehad been a galley slave, and the broom an oar, it is morally certainthat he would have been beaten with many stripes, for he would have leftoff rowing whenever he could. 

"Well, squire, " he said, laying his hands one over the other on the topof the broom-handle. 

"Well, Peter. How's the horse?"

"Grinding his corn, and enjoying himself, " said Peter. "He's like you:a lucky one--plenty to eat and nothing to do. "

"Don't you take him out for exercise?" said Dexter. 

"Course I do. So do you go out for exercise. "

"Think I could ride?" said Dexter. 

"Dersay you could, if you could hold on. "

"I should like to try. "

"Go along with you!"

"But I should. Will you let me try!"

Peter shook his head, and began to examine his half-worn broom. 

"I could hold on. Let me go with you next time!"

"Oh, but I go at ha'-past six, hours before you're awake. Young gentsdon't get up till eight. "

"Why, I always wake at a quarter to six, " said Dexter. "It seems theproper time to get up. I say, let me go with you. "

"Here, I say, you, Peter, " shouted Dan'l; "are you a-going to sweep thatbit o' lawn, or am I to come and do it myself. Gawsiping about!"

"Hear that?" said Peter, beginning to make his broom swing round again. "There, you'd better be off, or you'll get me in a row. "

Dexter sighed, for he seemed to be always the cause of trouble. 

"I say, " said Peter, as the boy was moving off; "going fishing again?"

"No; not now. "

"You knows the way to fish, don't you? Goes in after them. "

Dexter laughed, and went on down to the river, examined the place wherethe branch had broken off, and then gazed down into the clear water atthe gliding fish, which seemed to move here and there with no moreeffort than a wave of the tail. 

His next look was across the river in search of Bob Dimsted; but theshabby-looking boy was not fishing, and nowhere in sight either up ordown the stream. 

Dexter turned away with another sigh. The garden was very beautiful, but it seemed dull just then. He wanted some one to talk to, and if hewent again to Peter, old Dan'l would shout and find fault. 

"It don't matter which way I go, " said Dexter, after a few minutes, during which time he had changed his place in the garden again andagain; "that old man is always watching me to see what I am going todo. "

He looked round at the flowers, at the coming fruit, at everything inturn, but the place seemed desolate, and in spite of himself he beganthinking of his old companions at the great school, and wondering whatthey were doing. 

Then he recalled that he was to go to Sir James Danby's soon, and hebegan to think of Edgar. 

"I shan't like that chap, " he said to himself. "I wonder whether he'lllike me. "

He was standing thinking deeply and gazing straight before him at thehigh red brick wall when he suddenly started, for there was a heavy stepon the gravel. 

Dan'l had come along the grass edge till he was close to the boy, andthen stepped off heavily on to the path. 

"They aren't ripe yet, " he said with an unpleasant leer; "and you'd bestlet them alone. "

Dexter walked quickly away, with his face scarlet, and a bitter feelingof annoyance which he could not master. 

For the next quarter of an hour he was continually changing his positionin the garden, but always to wake up to the fact that the old gardenerwas carrying out a purpose which he had confided to Peter. 

This the boy soon learned, for after a time he suddenly encountered thegroom, still busy with the broom. 

"Why, hullo, youngster!" he said; "what's the matter!"

"Nothing, " said Dexter, with his face growing a deeper scarlet. 

"Oh yes, there is; I can see, " cried Peter. 

"Well, he's always watching me, and pretending that I'm getting intomischief, or trying to pick the fruit. "

"Hah!" said Peter, with a laugh; "he told me he meant to keep his eye onyou. "

Just then there was a call for Dan'l from the direction of the house, and Mrs Millett was seen beyond a laurel hedge. 

Directly after the old man went up to the house, and it seemed to Dexteras if a cloud had passed from across the sun. The garden appeared tohave grown suddenly brighter, and the boy began to whistle as he wentabout in an aimless way, looking here and there for something to takehis attention. 

He was not long in finding it, for just at the back of the dense yewhedge there were half a dozen old-fashioned round-topped hives, whoseoccupants were busy going to and fro, save that at the hive nearest thecross-path a heavy cluster, betokening a late swarm, was hangingoutside, looking like a double handful of bees. 

Dexter knew a rhyme beginning--

 "How doth the little busy bee--"

and he knew that bees made honey; but that was all he did know abouttheir habits, save that they lived in hives; and he stood and stared atthe cluster hanging outside. 

"Why, they can't get in, " he said to himself. "Hole's stopped up. "

He stood still for a few minutes, and then, as he looked round, hecaught sight of some bean-sticks--tall thin pieces of oak sapling, anddrawing one of these out of the ground he rubbed the mould off thepointed end, and, as soon as it was clean, took hold of it, and returnedto the hive, where he watched the clustering bees for a few minutes, andthen, reaching over, he inserted the thin end of the long stick just bythe opening to the hive, thrust it forward, and gave it a good rake toright and left. 

There was a tremendous buzz and a rush, and the next moment Dexter, stick in hand, was running down the path toward the river, pursued byquite a cloud of angry bees. 

Dexter ran fast, of course, and as it happened, right down one of themost shady paths, beneath the densely growing apple-trees, where thebees could not fly, so that by the time he reached the river-side he wasclear of his pursuers, but tingling from a sting on the wrist, and fromtwo more on the neck, one being among the hair at the back, and theother right down in his collar. 

"Well, that's nice, " he said, as he rubbed himself, and began mentallyto try and do a sum in the Rule of Three--if three stings make so muchpain, how much pain would be caused by the stings of a whole hiveful ofbees?

"Bother the nasty vicious little things!" he cried, as he had anotherrub, and he threw the bean-stick angrily away. 

"Don't hurt so much now, " he said, after a few minutes' stamping about. Then his face broke up into a merry smile. "How they did make me run!"

Just then there was a shout--a yell, and a loud call for help. 

Dexter forgot his own pain, and, alarmed by the cries, ran as hard as hecould back again towards the spot from whence the sounds came, and tohis horror found that Old Dan'l was running here and there, waving hisarms, while Peter had come to his help, and was whisking his broom aboutin all directions. 

For a few moments Dexter could not comprehend what was wrong, then, likea flash, he understood that the bees had attacked the old gardener, andthat it was due to his having irritated them with the stick. 

Dexter knew how a wasp's nest had been taken in the fields by the boysone day, and without a moment's hesitation he ran to the nearest shrub, tore off a good-sized bough, and joined in the task of beating down thebees. 

It is pretty sport to fight either bees or wasps in this way, but itrequires a great deal of courage, especially as the insects are sure toget the best of it, as they did in this case, putting their enemies toflight, their place of refuge being the tool-house, into whose darkrecesses the bees did not attempt to come. 

"Much stung, Dan'l!" said Peter. 

"Much stung, indeed! I should think I am. Offle!"

"You got it much, youngster?" said Peter. 

"I've got three stings, " replied Dexter, who had escaped without furtherharm. 

"And I've got five, I think, " said Peter. "What was you doing to 'em, Dan'l!"

"Doin' to 'em!" growled Dan'l, who was stamping about and rubbinghimself, and looking exceedingly like the bear in the old fable. "Iwasn't doin' nothin' to 'em. One o' the hives have been threatenin' toswarm again, and I was just goin' by, when they come at me like a swarmo' savidges, just as if some one had been teasing them. " Dexter wasrubbing the back of his neck, and feeling horribly guilty, as he askedhimself whether he had not better own to having disturbed the hive; butthere was something so unpleasantly repellent about the old gardener, and he was looking so suspiciously from one to the other, that the boyfelt as if he could not speak to him. 

If it had been Peter, who, with all his roughness, seemed to be tolerantof his presence, he would have spoken out at once; but he could not toDan'l, and he remained silent. 

"They stings pretty sharp, " said Peter, laughing. "Blue-bag's bestthing. I shall go up and get Maria to touch mine up. Coming?"

"Nay, I'm not coming, " growled Dan'l. "I can bear a sting or two of abee without getting myself painted up with blue-bags. Dock leaves isgood enough for me. "

"And there aren't a dock left in the garden, " said Peter. "You foundfault with me for not pulling the last up. "

So Peter went up to the house to be blue-bagged, Dan'l remained like abear in his den, growling to himself, and Dexter, whose stings stillthrobbed, went off across the lawn to walk off the pain, till it wastime to go to Sir James's. 

"Who'd have thought that the little things could hurt so much!"

Then the pain began to diminish till it was only a tingle, and the spotswhere the stings went in were round and hard, and now it was thatDexter's conscience began to prick him as sharply as the bees' stings, and he walked about the garden trying to make up his mind as to whetherhe should go and confess to Dan'l that he stirred the bees up with along stick. 

But as soon as he felt that he would do this, something struck him thatDan'l would be sure to think he had done it all out of mischief, and heknew that he could not tell him. 

"Nobody will know, " he said to himself; "and I won't tell. I didn'tmean to do any harm. "

"Dexter! Dexter!"

He looked in the direction from whence the sounds came, and could seeHelen waving her handkerchief, as a signal for him to come in. 

"Time to go, " he said to himself as he set off to her. "Nobody willknow, so I shan't tell him. "

And then he turned cold. 

Only a few moments before he had left Dan'l growling in his den, and nowhere he was down the garden, stooping and picking up something. 

For a few moments Dexter could not see what the something was, for thetrees between them hindered the view, but directly after he made outthat Dan'l had picked up a long stick, which had been thrown among thelittle apple-trees, and was carefully examining it. 

The colour came into Dexter's cheeks as he wondered whether Dan'l wouldknow where that stick came from. 

The colour would have been deeper still had he known that Dan'l had asplendid memory, and knew exactly where every stick or plant should be. In fact, Dan'l recognised that stick as having been taken from the endof the scarlet-runner row. 

"A young sperrit o' mischief! that's what he is, " muttered the old man, giving a writhe as he felt the stinging of the bees. "Now what's hebeen up to with that there stick? making a fishing-rod of it, I s'pose, and tearing my rows o' beans to pieces. I tell him what it is--"

Dan'l stopped short, and stared at the end of the stick--the thin end, where there was something peculiar, betraying what had been done withit. 

It was a sight which made him tighten his lips up into a thin red line, and screw up his eyes till they could be hardly seen, for upon the endof that stick were the mortal remains of two crushed bees. 

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. 

DEXTER SPENDS A PLEASANT AFTERNOON. 

Dexter went up to where Helen was waiting for him, and found herdressed. "Going out!" he said. 

"Yes; I thought I would walk up to Sir James's with you, " she said; andshe cast a critical eye over him, and smiled upon seeing that he onlyneeded a touch with a brush to make him presentable. 

This was given, and they set off together, the doctor only giving Dextera friendly nod in accordance with a promise made not to upset the boywith a number of hints as to how he was to behave. 

"It must come by degrees, papa, " Helen said; "and any advice given nowwould only make him more conscious. "

Dexter's hair still looked horribly short, but his face did not quiteresemble now that of a boy who had just risen from a sick-bed. Helooked brighter and more animated, and in nowise peculiar; but all thesame, in their short walk, Helen was conscious of the fact that theywere being observed by every one they passed, and that plenty of remarkswere made. 

All at once she noticed that Dexter as she was speaking to him gavequite a start, and following the direction of his eyes, she saw that hewas looking at a rough-looking boy, who was approaching them with afishing-rod over his shoulder, and a basket in his hand. 

The boy's mouth widened into a grin as he passed, and Helen asked Dexterif he knew him, the friendly look he had given speaking volumes of a newdifficulty likely to be in their way. 

"I don't know whether I know him--or not, " said Dexter. "I've spoken tohim. "

"Where? At the schools!"

"No; he was fishing on the other side of the river that day I tumbledin. "

"Oh!" said Helen coldly. "Here we are. "

She turned through a great iron gate, walked up a broad flight of steps, and knocked. 

"There, Dexter, " she said, as the door was opened. "I hope you willenjoy yourself. "

"Ain't you going in with me!" he whispered excitedly, as a footman in ablue and yellow livery opened the door. 

"No; good-bye. "

She nodded pleasantly, and went down the steps, leaving Dexter face toface with the footman, who had become possessed of the news of the youngguest's quality from no less a personage than Master Edgar himself. 

"Will you come in, please, " he said, drawing back, and holding the dooropen with an air that should have made him gain for wages--kicks. 

Dexter said, "Yes, sir, " as respectfully as if he were the workhouseporter, and took off his cap and went in. 

"This way, hif you please, " said the supercilious gentleman. "You mayleave your cap here. "

Dexter put down his cap, and followed the man to a door at the furtherend of the hall. 

"What name!" said the footman. 

Dexter stared at him. 

"What name shall I announce?" said the man again with chilling dignity. 

"Please, I don't know what you mean, " said the boy, feeling very muchconfused. 

The man smiled pityingly, and looked down with a most exasperating kindof condescension at the visitor, --in a way, in fact, that stamped himmentally as a brother in spirit, if not in flesh, of Maria, the doctor'smaid. 

"I 'ave to announce your name to her ladyship, " said the footman. 

"Oh, my name, " cried Dexter, "Obed Cole--I mean Dexter Grayson. "

He turned more red than ever in his confusion, and before he could sayanother word to add to his correction the door was thrown open. 

"Master Obed Cole Dextry Grayson, " said the footman, in a loud voice;and the boy found himself standing in a large handsomely furnished roomin the presence of Lady Danby, who rose with a forced smile, and lookedvery limp. 

"How do you do, Master Grayson!" she said sadly, and she held out herhand. 

Dexter in his confusion made a dash at it, and caught it tightly, tofind that it felt very limp and cold, but the sensation did not lastlong, for the thin white fingers were snatched away. 

"Eddy, dear, " said Lady Danby. 

There was no answer, and Dexter stood there, feeling very uncomfortable, and staring hard at the tall lady, who spoke in such an ill-used tone ofvoice. 

"Eddy, my darling, " she said a little more loudly, as she turned andlooked toward a glass door opening into a handsome conservatory; "comeand shake hands with Master Grayson. "

There was no reply, but a faint rustling sound fell upon Dexter's quickears, telling plainly enough that some one was in the conservatory. 

Lady Danby sighed, and there was a very awkward pause. 

"Perhaps you had better sit down, Master Grayson, " she said. "My sonwill be here soon. "

Just at that moment there was a loud important sounding cough in thehall, the handle of the door rattled loudly, and Sir James entered, walking very upright, and smiling with his eyes half-closed. 

"Aha!" he exclaimed. "Here you are, then. How do you do--how do youdo--how do you do!"

He shook hands boisterously, nodding and smiling the while, and Dexterwondered whether he ought to say, "Quite well, thank you, sir, " threetimes over, but he only said it once. 

"That's right, " said Sir James. "Quite safe here, eh? No bullocks torun after us now. "

"No, sir, " said Dexter uneasily. 

"But where's Eddy!" cried Sir James. 

"He was here a little while ago, my dear, " said Lady Danby uneasily. "Ithink he has gone down the garden. "

"No; I think not, " said Sir James. "Here, Eddy! Eddy!"

"Yes, pa, " came out of the conservatory. 

"Why, where are you, sir? Come and shake hands with our young friend. "

Master Edgar came slowly into sight, entered the drawing-room, and stoodstill. 

"Well; why don't you welcome your visitor? Come here. "

Master Edgar came a little more forward. 

"Now, then, shake hands with your friend. "

Master Edgar slowly held out a white thin hand in the direction ofDexter, who caught it eagerly, and felt as if he were shaking hands withLady Danby again. 

"That's better, " said Sir James. "Now the ice is broken I hope you twowill be very great friends. There, we shall have an early dinner foryou at three o'clock. Better leave them to themselves, my dear. "

"Very well, my love, " responded Lady Danby sadly. 

"Take Dexter Grayson and show him your games, and your pony, and thenyou can take him round the garden, but don't touch the boat. "

"No, pa, " said Edgar slowly. 

"He's a little shy, Dexter, " said Sir James. 

"No, I ain't, ma, " said Edgar, in a whisper. 

"We are very glad to see you, Dexter, " continued Sir James. "There, now, go and enjoy yourself out in the garden, you'll find plenty to see. Come, Eddy. "

Master Edgar looked slowly and sulkily up at his father, and seemed tohesitate, not even glancing at his visitor. 

"Well!" said Sir James sharply. "Why are you hesitating? Come: runalong. That way, Dexter, my lad. You two will soon be good friends. "

Dexter tried to smile, but it was a very poor apology for a look ofpleasure, while Sir James, who seemed rather annoyed at his son'sshrinking, uncouth conduct, laid his hand upon the boy's shoulder andled him into the conservatory. 

"Come, Eddy, " he said bluffly. 

"Must I go, ma!" whispered Eddy. 

"Yes, my dear, certainly. Papa wishes it, and you must behave like ayoung gentleman to your guest. "

"Come, Eddy, " shouted Sir James from the conservatory. 

Master Edgar went out sidewise in a very crabby way, and found Sir Jameswaiting. 

"There, no more shyness, " said Sir James bluffly. "Go out and enjoyyourselves till dinner-time. "

He nodded and smiled at them, gave his son a push toward Dexter, andreturned to where Lady Danby was seated, with her brow all in wrinkles. 

"They will soon make friends, " said Sir James. "It's Grayson's whim, ofcourse, and really, my dear, this seems to be a decent sort of boy. Very rough, of course, but Eddy will give him polish. This class of boyis very quick at picking up things; and if, after a few weeks, Graysonis disappointed and finds out his mistake, why, then, we have behaved ina neighbourly way to him and Helen, and there's an end of it. "

"But it seems so shocking for poor Eddy, my dear, " remonstrated LadyDanby. 

"Fish! pooh! tchah! rubbish! not at all!"

"Eddy may pick up bad language from him, and become rude. "

"He had better not!" said Sir James. "He knows differently. The otheryoung dog will learn from him. Make him discontented, I'm afraid; butthere--it is not our doing. "

Lady Danby sighed. 

"They'll come back in a hour or two quite companions, " continued SirJames. "Boys like that are a little awkward at their first meeting. Soon wear off. I am going to write letters till three. After theirdinner perhaps I shall take them in the boat down the river. "

Lady Danby sighed again, and Sir James went to see to his letters forthe post. 

By this time Master Edgar had walked softly out on to the lawn, with hisright hand in his pocket, and his left thumb playing about his mouth, looking the while in all directions but that occupied by Dexter, whofollowed him slowly, waiting for his young host to speak. 

But Eddy did not seem to have the slightest intention of speaking. Heonly sidled away slowly across the lawn, and then down one of thewinding paths among the shrubs and ornamental trees. 

This went on for about ten minutes, during which they got to be furtherand further from the house, not a word being spoken; and though Dexterlooked genial and eager as he followed his young host, the silencechilled him as much as did the studied way in which his companionavoided his eyes. 

"What a beautiful garden you've got!" said Dexter at last. 

There was no reply. 

Eddy picked up a stone, and threw it at a thrush. 

"It's bigger than Dr Grayson's, " said Dexter, after a pause. 

Eddy picked a flower, gave a chew at the stalk; then picked it topieces, and threw it away. 

Then he began to sidle along again in and out among the trees, and onand on, never once looking at his companion till they were at the bottomof the garden. A pleasant piece of lawn, dotted with ornamental trees, sloped down to the river where, in a Gothic-looking boat-house, open ateither end, a handsome-looking gig floated in the clear water. 

"That your boat?" said Dexter eagerly, as his eyes ran over thecushioned seats, and the sculls of varnished wood lying all ready alongthe thwarts. 

Edgar made no reply, only moved nearer to the water, and threw himselfon a garden seat near the edge. 

"Isn't this a good place for fishing?" said Dexter, trying another tack. 

No answer, and it was getting very monotonous. But Dexter took it allgood-humouredly, attributing the boy's manner more to shyness thanactual discourtesy. 

"I say, don't you fish sometimes!"

No reply. 

"Have you got any rods and lines!"

Eddy gave a contemptuous sniff, which might have meant anything. 

"There's lots at Dr Grayson's, " said Dexter eagerly, for the sight ofthe roach gliding about in the clear water in the shade of theboat-house excited the desire to begin angling. "Shall I go and fetchthe rods and lines?"

Eddy leaned back in the garden seat, and rested his head upon his hand. 

In despair Dexter sighed, and then recalled Sir James's words abouttheir enjoying themselves. 

It was a lovely day; the garden was very beautiful; the river ran by, sparkling and bright; but there was very little enjoyment so far, andDexter sat down upon the grass at a little distance from his young host. 

But it was not in Dexter's nature to sit still long, and after staringhard at the bright water for a few minutes, he looked up brightly atEdgar. 

"I say, " he cried; "that bullock didn't hurt you the other day, did it?"

Edgar shifted himself a little in his seat, so that he could stare inthe other direction, and he tried to screw up his mouth into what wasmeant to be a supercilious look, though it was a failure, beingextremely pitiful, and very small. 

Dexter waited for a few minutes, and then continued the one-sidedconversation--

"I never felt afraid of bullocks, " he said thoughtfully. "If you hadrun after them with your stick--I say, you got your stick, didn't you?"

No reply. 

"Oh, well, " said Dexter; "if you don't want to talk, I don't. "

"I don't want to talk to a boy like you, " said Edgar, without looking. 

Dexter started, and stared hard. 

"I'm not accustomed to associate with workhouse boys. "

Dexter flinched. 

Not long back the idea of being a workhouse boy did not trouble him inthe least. He knew that there were plenty of boys who were notworkhouse boys, and seeing what freedom they enjoyed, and how muchhappier they seemed, something of the nature of envy had at times creptinto his breast, but, on the whole, he had been very well contented tillhe commenced his residence at the doctor's; and now all seemed changed. 

"I'm not a workhouse boy, " he said hotly. 

"Yes, you are, " retorted Edgar, looking at him hard, full in the face, for the first time. "I know where you came from, and why you werefetched. "

Dexter's face was burning, and there was an angry look in his eyes, ashe jumped up and took a couple of steps toward where Edgar sat back onthe garden seat. But his pleasant look came back, and he held out hishand. 

"I'm not ashamed of it, " he said. "I used to be at the workhouse. Won't you shake hands!"

Edgar sniffed contemptuously, and turned his head away. 

"Very well, " said Dexter sadly. "I don't want to, if you don't. "

Edgar suddenly leaped up, and went along by the side of the river, whileDexter, after a few moments' hesitation, began to follow him in alonely, dejected way, wishing all the time that he could go back home. 

Following out his previous tactics, Edgar sidled along path after path, and in and out among the evergreen clumps, all the while taking care notto come within sight of the house, so that his actions might be seen;while, feeling perfectly helpless and bound to follow the caprices ofhis young host, Dexter continued his perambulation of the garden in thesame unsatisfactory manner. 

"Look here, " cried Edgar at last; "don't keep following me about. "

"Very well, " said Dexter, as he stood still in the middle of one of thepaths, wondering whether he could slip away, and return to the doctor's. 

That seemed a difficult thing to do, for Sir James might see him going, and call him back, and then what was he to say? Besides which, when hereached the doctor's there would be a fresh examination, and he feltthat the excuse he gave would not be satisfactory. 

Dexter sighed, and glanced in the direction taken by Edgar. 

The boy was not within sight, but Dexter fancied that he had hidden, andwas watching him, and he turned in the other direction, lookinghopelessly about the garden, which seemed to be more beautiful andextensive than the doctor's; but, in spite of the wealth of greenery andflowers, everything looked cheerless and cold. 

Dexter sighed. Then a very natural boyish thought came into his head. 

"I wonder what's for dinner, " he said to himself; but at the same timehe knew that it must be a long while yet to dinner-time, and, sighingonce more, he walked slowly down the path, found himself near the riveragain, and went and sat on a stump close to the boat-house, where hecould look into the clear water, and see the fish. 

It was very interesting to him to watch the little things gliding hereand there, and he wished that he had a rod and line to try for some ofthem, when all at once he started, for a well-aimed stone struck himupon the side of the head, and as it reached its goal, and Dexterstarted up angrily, there was a laugh and a rustle among the shrubs. 

As the pain went off, so did Dexter's anger, and he reseated himselfupon the stump, thinking, with his young wits sharpened by his earlylife. 

"I don't call this coming out to enjoy myself, " he said drily. "Wonderwhether all young gentleman behave like this?"

Then he began thinking about Sam Stubbs, a boy at the workhouse school, who was a terrible bully and tyrant, knocking all his companions about. 

But the sight of the clean-looking well-varnished boat, floating soeasily in the shade of the roof of its house, took his attention, and hebegan thinking of how he should like a boat like that to push off intothe stream, and go floating along in the sunshine, looking down at thefish, and fastening up every now and then to the overhanging trees. Itwould be glorious, he thought. 

"I wish Dr Grayson had a boat, " he thought. "I could learn to row it, and--"

_Whack_!

Dexter jumped up again, tingling with pain; and then with his facescarlet he sat down once more writhing involuntarily, and drawing hisbreath hard, as there was a mocking laugh. 

The explanation was simple. Master Edgar was dissatisfied. It was verypleasant to his spoiled, morbid mind to keep on slighting and annoyinghis guest by making him dance attendance upon him, and dragging himabout the garden wherever he pleased to go; but it was annoying anddisappointing to find that he was being treated with a calm display ofcontempt. 

Under these circumstances Master Edgar selected a good-sized stone--onewhich he thought would hurt--and took excellent aim at Dexter, where hesat contemplating the river. 

The result was most satisfactory: Dexter had winced, evidently sufferedsharp pain, but only submitted to it, and sat down again twistinghimself about. 

Edgar laughed heartily, in fact the tears stood in his eyes, and heretreated, but only to where he could watch Dexter attentively. 

"He's a coward, " said Edgar to himself. "All that sort of boys are. "And with the determination of making his visitor a kind of captive tohis bow and spear, or, in plainer English, a slave to his caprices, hewent to one of the beds where some sticks had lately been put to someyoung plants, and selecting one that was new, thin, and straight, hewent back on tiptoe, watched his opportunity, and then brought the stickdown sharply across Dexter's back. 

He drew back for a few moments, his victim's aspect being menacing; butDexter's young spirit had been kept crushed down for a good many years, and his custom had been under many a blow to sit and suffer patiently, not even crying aloud, Mr Sibery objecting to any noise in the school. 

Dexter had subsided again. The flashes that darted from his eyes haddied out, and those eyes looked subdued and moist. 

For the boy was mentally, as well as bodily hurt, and he wondered whatHelen would say, and whether Sir James would correct his son if he sawhim behaving in that manner to his visitor. 

"Hey: get up!" said Edgar, growing more bold, as he found that he couldill-use his guest with impunity; and as he spoke he gave him a roughpoke or two with the sharp end of the stick, which had been pointed withthe gardener's pruning-knife. 

His treatment of Dexter resembled that which he had been accustomed tobestow upon an unfortunate dog he had once owned--one which became sofond of him that at last it ran away. 

"Do you hear!" cried Edgar again. "Get up. "

"Don't: you hurt. "

"Yes: meant to hurt, " said Edgar, grinning. "Get up. "

He gave Dexter so sharp a dig with the stick that the latter jumped upangrily, and Edgar drew back; but on seeing that the visitor only wenton a few yards to where there was a garden seat, and sat down again, theyoung tyrant became emboldened, and went behind the seat with amalicious look of satisfaction in his eyes. 

"Don't do that, " said Dexter quietly. "Let's have a game at something. Do you think we might go in that boat?"

"I should think not indeed, " cried Edgar, who now seemed to have foundhis tongue. "Boats are for young gentlemen, not for boys from theUnion. "

Dexter winced a little, and Edgar looked pleased. 

"Get up!" he shouted; and he made another lunge with the stick. 

"I'm always getting into trouble, " thought Dexter, as the result of thelast few days' teachings, "and I don't want to do anything now. "

"Do you hear, blackguard? Get up!"

There was another sharp poke, a painful poke, against which, as he movedto the other end of the seat, Dexter uttered a mild protest. 

"Did you hear me say, `Get up'?" shouted Edgar. 

Dexter obeyed, and moved a little nearer to the water's edge. 

"I wish it was time to go, " he said to himself. "I am so miserablehere. "

"Now, go along there, " said Edgar sharply. "Go on!"

The boy seemed to have a donkey in his mind's eye just then, for hethrust and struck at Dexter savagely, and then hastily threw down thestick, as an angry glow was gathering in his visitor's countenance. Forjust then there was a step heard upon the gravel. 

"Ah, Eddy, my darling, " said a voice; and Lady Danby walked languidlyby, holding up a parasol. "At play, my dear?"

She did not glance at Dexter, who felt very solitary and sad as the ladypassed on, Master Eddy throwing himself on the grass, and picking it offin patches to toss toward the water till his mother was out of sight, when he sprang up once more, and picked the stick from where he hadthrown it upon a bed. 

As he did this he glanced sidewise, and then stood watching for a fewminutes, when he made a playful kind of charge at his visitor, and drovethe point of the stick so vigorously against his back that the clothgave way, making a triangular hole, and causing the owner no littlepain. 

"Don't, " cried Dexter appealingly; "you hurt ever so. Let's play atsome game. "

"I'm going to, " cried Edgar, with a vicious laugh. "I'm going to playat French and English, and you're the beggarly Frenchman at Waterloo. That's the way to charge bayonets. How do you like that, and that, andthat!"

"Not at all, " said Dexter, trying hard to be good-humoured. 

"Then you'll have to like it, and ever so much more, too. Get up, blackguard. Do you hear?"

Dexter rose and retreated; but, with no little agility, Edgar got beforehim, and drove him toward the water, stabbing and lunging at him sosavagely, that if he had not parried some of the thrusts with his handshis face must have been torn. 

Edgar grew more and more excited over his work, and Dexter received anasty dig on one hand, another in the cheek, while another grazed hisear. 

This last was beyond bearing. The hurt was not so bad as several whichhe had before received; but, perhaps from its nearness to his brain, itseemed to rouse Dexter more than any former blow, and, with an angrycry, he snatched at and caught the stick just as it came near his face. 

"Let go of that stick! Do you hear?" cried Edgar. 

For response Dexter, who was now roused, held on tightly, and tried topull the stick away. 

"Let go, " cried Edgar, tugging and snatching with all his might. 

Dexter's rage was as evanescent as it was quick. It passed away, and ashis enemy made another furious tug at the stick Dexter suddenly let go, and the consequence was the boy staggered back a few yards, and thencame down heavily in a sitting position upon the grass. 

Edgar sat and stared for a few moments, the sudden shock being anythingbut pleasant; but, as he saw Dexter's mirthful face, a fit of rageseized him, and, leaping up, he resumed his attack with the stick. 

This time his strokes and thrusts were so malicious, and given with sodecided a desire to hurt his victim as much as was possible, that, shortof running away, Dexter had to do everything possible to avoid theblows. 

For the most part he was successful; but at last he received so numbinga blow across the arm that he quivered with pain and anger as he sprangforward, and, in place of retreating, seized the stick, and tried towrest it away. 

There was a brief struggle, but pretty full of vigour. 

Rage made Edgar strong, and he fought well for his weapon, but at theend of a minute's swaying here and there, and twistings and heavingsinnumerable, Edgar's arms felt as if they were being torn from his body, the stick was wrenched away, and as he stood scarlet with passion, hesaw it whirled into the air, to fall with a loud splash into the river. 

Edgar ground his teeth for a moment or two, and then, as white withanger as his adversary was red, he flew at him, swaying his arms round, and then there was a furious encounter. 

Edgar had his own ideas about fighting manoeuvres, which he had triedagain and again upon his nurse in bygone times, and upon any of theservants with whom he had come in contact. His arms flew round likeflails, or as if he had been transformed into a kind of human firework, and for the next five minutes he kicked, scratched, bit, and tore at hisadversary; the next five minutes he was seated upon the grass, howling, his nose bleeding terribly, and the crimson stains carried by his handsall over his face. 

For Dexter was not perfect: he had borne till it was impossible to bearmore, and then, with his anger surging up, he had fought as adown-trodden English boy will sometimes fight; and in this case with thepluck and steadiness learned in many a school encounter, unknown to MrSibery or Mr Hippetts, the keen-eyed and stern. 

Result: what might be expected. Dexter felt no pain, only an intensedesire to thrash the virulent little tyrant who had scratched his face, kicked his shins, torn at his hair--it was too short still for a goodhold--and, finally, made his sharp, white teeth meet in his visitor'sneck. 

"Served you right!" muttered Dexter, as he knelt down by the river, andbathed his hands and face before dabbing them dry with hispocket-handkerchief. "No business to treat me like that. "

Then, as he stood rubbing his face--very little the worse for theencounter--his anger all passed away, and the consequences of his actdawned upon him. 

"Look here, " he said; "it was all your fault. Come to the water; thatwill soon stop bleeding. "

He held out his hand, as he bent over the fallen tyrant, meaning to helphim to rise, when, quick as lightning, Edgar caught the hand profferedto him and carried it to his teeth. 

Dexter uttered a cry of pain, and shook him off, sending him backwardsnow upon the grass, just as a shadow fell across the contending boys, and Sir James stood frowning there. 

CHAPTER NINETEEN. 

MASTER EDDY "HOLLERS WAHOO!"

"What is the meaning of this!" cried Sir James furiously. 

Dexter was speechless, and he shrank back staring. 

Edgar was ready with an answer. "He's knocking me about, pa. He hasdone nothing but knock me about ever since he came. "

"Oh!" cried Dexter in a voice full of indignant astonishment. "Ididn't. He begun it, and I didn't, indeed. "

"Silence, sir!" cried Sir James, in his severest magisterial tones. "How dare you tell me such a falsehood? I saw you ill-using my son asyou held him down. "

"Why, he had got hold of my hand!" cried Dexter indignantly. 

"Got hold of your hand, sir? How dare you? How dare you, sir, I say?I've a great mind to--"

Sir James did not finish his speech, but made a gesture with thewalking-cane he carried; and just then there was a loud hystericalshriek. 

For Lady Danby had realised the fact that something was wrong from thepart of the garden where she was promenading, parasol in hand, and shecame now panting up, in the full belief that some accident had happenedto her darling, and that he was drowned. 

"Eddy, Eddy!" she cried, as she came up; and then as soon as she caughtsight of his anything but pleasant-looking countenance, she shriekedagain wildly, and flung herself upon her knees beside him. "What is it?What is it, my darling?" she sobbed, as she caught him to her heart. 

"That horrid boy! Knocking me about, " he cried, stopping his howling soas to deliver the words emphatically; and then looking at his stainedhands, and bursting into a howl of far greater power than before. 

"The wretch! The wretch!" cried Lady Danby. "I always knew it. He haskilled my darling. "

At this dire announcement Edgar shook himself free from his mother'sembrace, looked at his hands again, and then in the extremity of horror, threw himself flat upon his back, and shrieked and kicked. 

"O my darling, my darling!" cried Lady Danby. 

"He isn't hurt much, " cried Dexter indignantly. 

"How dare you, sir!" roared Sir James. 

"He's killed; he's killed!" cried Lady Danby, clasping her hands, androcking herself to and fro as she gazed at the shrieking boy, who onlywanted a cold sponge and a towel to set him right. 

"Ow!" yelled Edgar, as he appreciated the sympathy of his mother, butbelieved the very worst of his unfortunate condition. The lady now bentover him, said that he was killed, and of course she must have known. 

Edgar had never read _Uncle Remus_. All this was before the period whenthat book appeared; but his conduct might very well be taken as a typeof that of the celebrated Brer Fox when Brer Rabbit was in doubt as towhether he was really dead or only practising a ruse, and proceeded totest his truth by saying, as he saw him stretched out--

"Brer Fox look like he dead, but he don't do like he dead. Dead fokeshists up de behime leg, en hollers _wahoo_!"

Edgar, according to Brer Rabbit's ideas, was very dead indeed, for hekept on "histing up de behime leg, en hollering _wahoo_!" with the fullpower of his lungs. 

By this time the alarm had spread, and there was the sound of steps upona gravel walk, which resulted in the appearance of the superciliousfootman. 

"Carry Master Edgar up to the house, " said Sir James, in his severestmagisterial tones. 

"Carefully--very carefully, " wailed her ladyship piteously; and shelooked and spoke as if she feared that as soon as the boy was touched hewould tumble all to pieces. 

Dexter looked on, with his eyes turning here and there, like those ofsome captured wild animal which fears danger; and as he looked he caughtsight of the footman gazing at him with a peculiar grin upon hiscountenance, which seemed to be quite friendly, and indicated that theman rather enjoyed the plight in which his young master was plunged. 

Master Edgar howled again as he was raised, and directly after began toindulge in what the plantation negroes used to call "playing 'possum"--that is to say, he suddenly became limp and inert, closing his eyes, andletting his head roll about, as if there were no more bone left in hisbody, while his mother wrung her hands, and tried then to hold the headsteady, as the footman prepared to move toward the house. 

"Now, sir, " said Sir James sternly, "come here. We will have a fewwords about this in my library. "

Accustomed for years past to obey, Dexter took a step forward toaccompany the stern-looking man before him to the house; but such apanorama of troublous scenes rose before his mind's eye directly, thathe stopped short, gave one hasty glance round, and then, as Sir Jamesstretched forth his hand, he made one bound which landed him in a clumpof hollyhocks and dahlias; another which took him on to the grass; andthen, with a rush, he dashed into a clump of rhododendrons, went throughthem, and ran as hard as he could go toward the house. 

For a few moments Sir James was too much astounded to speak. This wassomething new. He was accustomed to order, and to be obeyed. 

He had ordered Dexter to come to him, and for answer the boy had dashedaway. 

As soon as Sir James could recover his breath, taken away in hisastonishment, he began to shout--

"Stop, sir! Do you hear? How dare you?"

If a hundred Sir Jameses had been shouting it would not have stayedDexter, for he had only one idea in his head just then, and that was toget away. 

"Put down Master Edgar, and go and fetch that boy back. "

"Carefully! Oh, pray, put him down carefully, " cried Lady Danbypassionately. 

Just then Master Edgar uttered a fresh cry, and his mother wailedloudly. 

"No, never mind, " cried Sir James, "carry him up to the house; I willfetch that young rascal. "

He strode off angrily, evidently believing in his own mind that hereally was going to fetch Dexter back; but by that time the boy hadreached the house, ran round by the side, dashed down the main street, and was soon after approaching the bridge over the river, beyond whichlay the Union and the schools. 

CHAPTER TWENTY. 

AN EXPLANATION. 

For a few moments Dexter's idea was to go to the great gates, ring theporter's bell, and take sanctuary there, for he felt that he haddisgraced himself utterly beyond retrieving his character. Certainly, he never dared go back to the doctor's. 

He felt for a moment that he had some excuse, for Edgar Danby hadbrought his punishment upon himself; but no one would believe that, andthere was no hope for the offender but to give up everything, and goback to his former life. 

But, as the boy reached the gloomy-looking workhouse entrance, and sawthe painted bell-pull, through whose coating the rust was eating itsway, he shivered. 

For there rose up before him the stern faces of Mr Hippetts and MrSibery, with the jeering crowd of schoolfellows, who could laugh at andgibe him for his downfall, and be sure to call him Gentleman Coleby, aslong as they were together, the name, under the circumstances, beingsure to stick. 

No, he could not face them there, and beside, though it had never seemedso before, the aspect of the great building was so forbidding that heshrank away, and walked onward toward the outskirts of the town, and on, and on, till he found himself by the river. 

Such a sensation of misery and despair came over him, that he beganwalking along by the bank, seeing nothing of the glancing fish andbright insects which danced above the water. He had room for nothingbut the despondent thoughts of what he should do now. 

"What would the doctor think of him? What would Helen say?" He hadbeen asked out to spend the day at a gentleman's house, and he haddisgraced himself, and--

"Hullo!"

Dexter looked up sharply, and found that he had almost run against hisold fishing friend of the opposite side of the river. 

"Hullo!" stammered Dexter in reply. 

"Got dry again?" said the boy, who was standing just back from thewater's edge, fishing, with his basket at his side, and a box of baitson the grass. 

"Got dry?" said Dexter wonderingly. 

"Yes! My!" cried the boy, grinning, "you did have a ducking. I ranaway. Best thing I could do. "

"Yes, " said Dexter quietly; "you ran away. "

"Why, what yer been a-doing of? Your face is scratched, and your handstoo. I know: you've been climbing trees. You'll ketch it, spoilingyour clothes. That's got him. "

He struck and landed a small fish, which he took from the hook anddropped into his basket, where there were two more. 

"They don't bite to-day. Caught any down your garden!"

"No, " said Dexter, to whom the company of the boy was very cheering justthen. "I haven't tried since. "

"You are a fellow! Why, if I had a chance like you have, I should bealways at it. "

"I say, what did you say your name was?"

"Bob Dimsted--Bob, " said the fisher, throwing in again. "I know whatyours is. You come out of the workus. "

"Yes, " said Dexter sadly, as he wondered whether he did not wish he wasthere now. "I came out of the workus--workhouse, " he added, as heremembered one of Helen's teachings. 

"Why don't you get your rod some day, and a basket of something to eat, and come right up the river with me, fishing? There's whackers upthere. "

"I should like to, " said Dexter thoughtfully, for the idea of thefishing seemed to drive away the troubles from which he suffered. 

"Well, come then. I'd go any day, only you must let me have all youcaught. "

"All?" said Dexter, as he began to think of trophies. 

"Yes. As I showed you the place where they're caught, I should want totake them home. "

"All right, " said Dexter. "You could have them. "

"Ah, it's all very well, " said the boy, "but there wouldn't be many thatyou caught, mate. Ah! No, he's off again. Keep a little furder back. "

Dexter obeyed, and sat down on the grass, feeling in a half-despairingmood, but as if the company of this rough boy was very pleasant afterwhat he had gone through, and that boys like this were more agreeable totalk to than young tyrants of the class of Edgar Danby. 

"Fish don't half bite to-day, " said Bob Dimsted. "I wish you'd got arod here, I could lend you a line--single hair. "

"But I haven't got a rod. "

"Well, run home and fetch it, " said Bob. 

"Run home and fetch it?" How could he run home and fetch it? How couldhe ever go back to the doctor's again?

"No, " he said at last, as he shook his head. "I can't go and fetch it. "

"Then you can't fish, " said the boy, "and 'tain't much use. It's no fununless they bite, and some days it don't matter how you try, theywon't. "

"Won't they?" said Dexter, and then he started to his feet, for afamiliar voice had spoken close to his ear--

"Why, Dexter!"

The voice was as full of astonishment as the pleasant face which lookedin his. 

"I thought you were at Sir James Danby's! Is Edgar out here, in themeadows!"

"No--no, " faltered Dexter; and Bob Dimsted began to gather up histackle, so as to make a strategic movement, there being evidentlytrouble in the rear. 

"But what does this mean?" said Helen firmly. "Who is that boy?"

"Bob--Bob Dimsted. "

"And do you know him?"

"He--he was fishing opposite our--your--garden the day I fell into theriver, " faltered Dexter; and he looked longingly at Bob, who was quicklymoving away, and wished that those eyes did not hold him so firmly, andkeep him from doing the same. 

"Was he at your school?"

"No, " faltered Dexter. 

"Then I am sure papa would not like you to be making acquaintance withboy's like that. But come, Dexter. What is the meaning of all this? Ileft you at Sir James Danby's. "

"Yes, " said Dexter, shuffling from foot to foot. 

"Then why are you not there now--playing with Edgar?"

Dexter did not answer, but seemed to be admiring the prospect. 

"Why, Dexter, your face is all scratched!"

Dexter looked up at her, with the scratched face scarlet. 

"How is that!" continued Helen sternly. 

"Fighting, " said Dexter grimly. 

"Fighting? Oh, shame! And with that rough boy!"

"No!" cried Dexter quickly. "He didn't knock me about. "

"Then who did!"

"That young Danby. "

Dexter's lips were well opened now, and he went on talking rapidly. 

"I never did anything to him, but he went on for an hour walking allround the garden, and wouldn't speak; and when I was tired and sat down, he got a stick and knocked me about, and poked me with the point. Istood it as long as I could, and then, when he got worse and worse, Ipitched into him, and I'm sure you would have done the same. "

Helen did not look as if she would have done the same, but stood gazingat the young monkey before her, wondering whether he was deserving ofher sympathy, or had really misbehaved himself, and was trying topalliate his conduct. 

"There, Dexter, " she said at last. "I really do not know what to dowith you. You had better come on and see papa at once. "

She took a step toward the town, and then waited, but Dexter stood firm, and cast a glance toward the country. 

"Dexter, did you hear what I said!"

The boy looked at her uneasily, and then nodded sullenly. 

"Come home with me, then, at once, " said Helen quickly. 

"It's no use for me to come home along of you, " said Dexter surlily. "He'll hit me, and I don't want to go. "

Helen hesitated for a few moments, and then laid her hand upon the boy'sshoulder. 

"I wish you to come, Dexter. "

He shook his head. 

"Come, " she cried, "if you have been in fault confess it frankly. "

"But I haven't, " cried the boy angrily. "I couldn't help fighting whenhe knocked me about as he did. He bit me too. Look there!"

He hastily drew up his sleeve, and displayed a ruddy circle on his whiteskin, which bore pretty strong witness to the truth of his words. 

"Then, if you were not to blame, why should you shrink from coming topapa?"

"'Cause he mightn't believe me. Mr Sibery never would, neither, "muttered Dexter. 

"Tell the truth and papa will be sure to believe you, " cried Helenindignantly. 

"Think he would!" said Dexter. 

"I am sure of it, sir. "

"All right then, " cried the boy quickly. "I'll come. Oh, I say!"

"What is the matter?"

"Look! Here he comes!"

He pointed quickly in the direction of the town, and, wresting himselffrom Helen's grasp, set off at a sharp run. 

But he had not gone a dozen yards before he turned and saw Helen gazingafter him. 

He stopped directly, and came slowly and reluctantly back. 

"Did you call me!" he said sheepishly. 

"No, Dexter; I think it must have been your conscience spoke andupbraided you for being such a coward. "

"Yes, it was cowardly, wasn't it?" cried the boy. "I didn't mean to runaway, but somehow I did. I say, will he hit me!"

"No, Dexter. "

"Will he be very cross with me?"

"I am afraid he will, Dexter; but you must submit bravely, and speak thesimple truth. "

"Yes, I'm going to, " said Dexter, with a sigh; and he glanced behind himat the pleasant stretch of meadows, and far away down among the aldersand willows, with Bob Dimsted fishing, and evidently quite free from thecare which troubled him. 

The doctor strode up, looking very angry. 

"So you are there, are you, sir?" he cried austerely. "Do you know ofthis disgraceful business!"

"Dexter has been telling me, " said Helen gravely. 

"Humph!" grunted the doctor. "I knew you had come down here, so Ithought I would come and tell you of the terrible state of affairs. "

"Terrible, papa!"

"Ah! then you don't know. It was not likely he would tell you. SirJames came straight to me, and told me everything. It seems that thetwo boys were sent down the garden together to play, and that as soon asthey were alone, Dexter here began to annoy and tease Edgar. "

"Here, just say that again, will you?" cried Dexter sharply. 

"I repeat that Dexter here began to annoy and tease Edgar. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Dexter. 

"And at last, after the poor boy had tried everything to keep hiscompanion from the line of conduct he had pursued, he resolved to godown and sit by the river, leaving Dexter to amuse himself. Butunfortunately the spirit of mischief was so strong in him that this boytook out a dahlia-stick with a sharp point--Sir James showed it to me--and then, after stabbing at him for some time, began to use his fists, and beat Edgar in the most cruel way. "

"Oh, my!" ejaculated Dexter; and then, giving his right foot a stamp, "Well, of all the--Oh, my! what a whopper!"

The low slangy expression was brought out with such an air of indignantprotest that Helen was unable to keep her countenance, and she lookedaway, while the doctor, who was quite as much impressed, frowned moreseverely to hide the mirth aroused by the boy's ejaculations, and turnedto him sharply--

"What do you mean by that, sir!" he cried. 

"Mean?" cried Dexter indignantly, and without a shade of fear in hisfrank bold eyes; "why there isn't a bit of it true. He didn't like mebecause I came from over yonder, and he wouldn't speak to me. Then hekept on hitting me, and I wouldn't hit him back, because I thought itwould make her cross; but, last of all, he hurt me so that I forgot allabout everything, and then we did fight, and I whipped--and that's all. "

"Oh, that's all, is it, sir!" said the doctor, who was angry and yetamused. 

"Yes, that's all, " said Dexter; "only I've got a bite on my arm, and oneon my neck, and one on my shoulder. They didn't bleed, though, onlypinched and hurt. I only hit him one good un, and that was on the nose, and it made it bleed. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. "Now, look here, Dexter, is every wordof that true!"

"Yes, sir, every bit, " cried the boy eagerly. "You will see if itain't. "

The doctor's face wrinkled a little more, as to conceal a smile heturned to his daughter--

"Now, " he said, "do you think this is true?"

"I feel sure it is, " said Helen. "I am convinced that Dexter would nottell either of us a falsehood. "

"There!" cried the boy, smiling triumphantly, as he crept to Helen'sside and laid his hand in hers. "Hear that? Of course I wouldn't. Iwanted to be all right, but--I say, does my head bleed there?"

He took off his cap, and held down his head, while Helen looked at thespot he pointed out, and shuddered slightly. 

"That's where he stuck his nails into my head, just like a cat. It didhurt ever so, but I soon forgot it. "

"Let's go home, " said the doctor gravely. "It is unfortunate, but ofcourse Dexter could not submit to be trampled upon by any boy. "

"I say, you do believe me, don't you!" said Dexter quickly. 

"Yes, my boy. I believe you on your honour. "

"On my honour, " said Dexter quickly. 

"That will do, " said the doctor. "It is unfortunate, but unavoidable. Let us go home to lunch. "

"And you will not send me back to the--you know!"

"Certainly not, " said the doctor. 

"And may I come out here to fish by and by!"

"Certainly, " said the doctor. "If you are a good boy. "

"No, I think not, " said Helen, making a shadow cross the boy'scountenance. "Dexter cannot come out fishing alone; I will come withhim. "

Dexter gave her a meaning look, as he understood why she had said that;and then walked quietly home with the doctor and his daughter to a farmore agreeable meal than he would have enjoyed at the baronet's house. 

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE. 

A RECORD OF CARES. 

"Hang his impudence!" said the doctor. "What do you think he told me?"

"Sir James?"

"Yes, my dear. Told me I was a regular modern Frankenstein, and that Ihad made a young monster to worry me to death. Such insolence!Dexter's growing a very nice lad, and I feel as if I could make anobleman of him if I liked, but I think I'll send him to a good schoolfor a bit. You see, he's full of promise, Helen. "

"Yes, papa, " said Helen, suppressing her mirth. 

"Ah! now you are laughing at me. I mean full of the promise that willsome day mean performance. But--yes, I will send him to a good school. "

A good school was selected, and Dexter duly sent down to it, leavingHelen very unwillingly, but holding up manfully, and the doctor said hewould come back at the holiday-time vastly improved. 

In six weeks Dr Grayson received a letter asking him to fetch Dexteraway to save him from being expelled. 

The Doctor looked very angry as he went down to Cardley Willows, and theinquiries took a stern, rather bitter turn. 

"Has the boy been a young blackguard?" he said. 

"No, " said the principal. 

"Dishonest?"

"Oh dear no!"

"Well, what is it then--disobedient!"

"Oh dear no! He'll promise anything. "

"Humph! yes, " said the doctor to himself. 

"I'm very sorry, Dr Grayson, " continued the principal; "but the boy isincorrigible, and you must take him away. "

The doctor took the boy away, and he had a very stern talking-to athome. 

Two months passed away. 

"There, Helen, " said the doctor one morning; "what do you say to himnow? Wonderfully improved, has he not? Good natural boy's colour inhis cheeks--better blood, you see, and nice curly hair. Really he isnot like the same. "

"No, papa; he is greatly changed, " said Helen, as she followed thedirection of her father's eyes to where Dexter was out on the lawnwatching old Dan'l, while old Dan'l, in a furtive manner, was diligentlywatching him in return. 

"Greatly changed, " said the doctor thoughtfully, as he scratched theside of his nose with his penholder, "in personal appearance. Sir Jamesseems very sore still about that little affair. Says I ought to havethrashed Dexter, for he behaved brutally to young Edgar. "

"And what did you say, papa?"

"Well, not exactly all I thought. Dreadful young limb that Edgar. Spoiled boy, but I could not tell Danby so with such a catalogue ofoffences as Master Dexter has to show on my black list. You see, Helen, we do not get any further with him. "

Helen shook her head sadly. 

"There's something wrong in his brain; or something wanting. He'llpromise amendment one hour, and go and commit the same fault the verynext. "

"It is very sad, " replied Helen thoughtfully; "but I'm sure he meanswell. "

"Yes, my dear; of course, " said the doctor, looking perplexed; "but it'sa great drawback to one's success. But there: we must persevere. Itseems to me that the first thing to do is to wean him from that terriblelove of low companions. "

"Say companion, " said Helen, smiling. 

"Well, a companion, then. I wish we could get that young fishingscoundrel sent away; but of course one cannot do that. Oh, by the way, what about Maria? Is she going away?"

"No, " said Helen. "I had a long talk to her about her unreasoningdislike to Dexter, and she has consented to stay. "

"Well, it's very kind of her, " said the doctor testily. "I suppose MrsMillett will be giving warning next. "

"Oh no, " said Helen; "she finds a good deal of fault, but I think, onthe whole, she feels kindly toward the poor boy. "

"Don't!" cried the doctor, giving the writing-table so angry a slap withhis open hand that a jet of ink shot out of the stand and made half adozen great splashes. "Now, look there, what you've made me do, " hecontinued, as he began hastily to soak up the black marks withblotting-paper. "I will not have Dexter called `the poor boy. ' He isnot a poor boy. He is a human waif thrown up on life's shore. No, no:and you are not to call him a human waif. I shall well educate him, andplace him on the high-road toward making his way properly in life as agentleman should, and I'll show the whole world that I'm right. "

"You shall, papa, " said Helen merrily; "and I will help you all I can. "

"I know you will, my dear, and you are helping me, " cried the doctorwarmly; "and it's very good of you. But I do wish we could make himthink before he does anything. His mischievous propensities are simplyhorrible. And now, my dear, about his education. We must do somethingmore, if it is only for the sake of keeping him out of trouble. You aredoing nobly, but that is not enough. I did mean to read classics withhim myself, but I have no time. My book takes too much thought. Now, Iwill not send the poor boy--"

"`Poor boy, ' papa!" said Helen merrily. 

"Eh? Did I say `poor boy'!" cried the doctor, scratching his noseagain. 

"Yes. "

"Ah, well; I did not mean it. I was going to say I will not send him toanother school. He would be under too many disadvantages, so I think wewill decide upon a private tutor. "

"Yes, papa; a very excellent arrangement. "

"Yes, I think it is; and--well, Maria, what is it!"

"Dan'l, sir, " said that young lady, who spoke very severely, as if shecould hardly contain her feelings; "and he'd be glad to know if youcould see him a minute. "

"Send him in, Maria, " said the doctor; and then, as the housemaid leftthe room, "Well, it can't be anything about Dexter now, because he isout there on the--"

The doctor's words were delivered more and more slowly as he rose andwalked toward the open window, while Helen felt uneasy, and full ofmisgivings. 

"Why, the young dog was here just now, " cried the doctor angrily. "Now, really, Helen, if he has been at any tricks this time, I certainly willset up a cane. "

"O papa!"

"Yes, my dear, I certainly will, much as I object to corporalpunishment. Well, Daniel, what is it!"

Old Dan'l had a straw hat in his hand--a hat that was rather ragged atthe edge, and with which, as if it was to allay some irritation, he keptsawing one finger. 

"Beg pardon, sir--pardon, Miss, " said Dan'l apologetically; "but if Imight speak and say a few words--"

"Certainly, Daniel; you may do both, " said the doctor. 

"Thanky, sir--thanky kindly, Miss, " said the gardener, half-putting hishat on twice so as to have it in the proper position for making a bow;"which I'm the last man in the world, sir, to make complaints. "

"Humph!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"Serving you as I have now for over twenty year, and rememberingpuffickly well, Miss, when you was only a pink bit of a baby, as likeone o' my tender carnations as could be, only more like a Count deeParish rose. "

"Well, what's the matter, Daniel?" said the doctor hastily, for hewanted to bring the old man's prosings to an end. 

"Well, sir, heverythink, as you may say, is the matter. Look at me, sir; I've suffered more in that garden than mortal man would believe!"

"Oh, have you!" said the doctor, taking off his glasses. "You don'tlook so very bad, Daniel, for a man of sixty-five. "

"Sixty-four and three-quarters, begging your pardon, sir; but I havesuffered. I've laid awake nights and nights thinking of what was bestfor planting them borders with s'rubs, as is now a delight to the humaneye; and I've walked that garden hundreds o' nights with a lanthorn insearch o' slugs, as comes out o' they damp meadows in in countedmillions; and I've had my cares in thrips and red spider and green fly, without saying a word about scale and them other blights as never had noname. But never in my life--never in all my born days--never since Iwas first made a gardener, have I suffered anythink like as I'vesuffered along o' that there boy. "

"Nonsense, Daniel! nonsense!" cried the doctor pettishly. 

"Well, sir, I've served you faithful, and took such a pride in thatthere garden as never was, and you may call it nonsense, sir, but when Isee things such as I see, I say it's time to speak. "

"Why, you are always coming to me with some petty complaint, sir, aboutthat boy. "

"Petty complaint, sir!" cried Dan'l indignantly. "Is Ribstons a pettycomplaint--my chycest Ribstons, as I want for dessert at Christmas? Andis my Sturmer pippins a petty complaint--them as ought to succeed theRibstons in Febbery and March?"

"Why, what about them?" cried the doctor. 

"Oh, nothing, sir; only as half the town's t'other side o' the river, and my pippins is being shovelled over wholesale. "

The doctor walked out into the hall and put on his hat, with Dan'lfollowing him; and, after a moment's hesitation, Helen took up asunshade, and went down the garden after her father. 

She overtook him as he was standing by a handsome espalier, dotted withthe tawny red-streaked Ribstons, while Dan'l was pointing to a couple ofnewly-made footmarks. 

"Humph! Not all gone, then?" said the doctor, frowning. 

"Not yet!" growled Dan'l. "And see there, Miss; there was four stunnerson that there little branch this mornin', and they're all gone!"

"Where is Master Dexter?" said the doctor. 

Dan'l made a jerking motion with his thumb over his right shoulder, andthe doctor walked on over the grass toward the bottom of the grounds. 

The little party advanced so noiselessly that they were unheard, and inanother minute they were near enough to hear Dexter exclaim--

"Now, then; this time--catch!"

The doctor stopped short in time to see, according to Dan'l's version, the Ribstons and Sturmers thrown across the river to half the town. 

"Half the town, " according to Dan'l, consisted of Bob Dimsted, who hadlaid down his rough fishing-rod, and was holding half an apple in onehand, munching away the while, as he caught another deftly; and he wasin the act of stuffing it into his pocket as he caught sight of thedoctor, and stood for a few moments perfectly motionless. Then, stooping quickly, he gathered up his tackle and ran. 

"What's the matter!" cried Dexter. 

Bob made no reply, but ran off; and as he did so, Dexter laughingly tookanother apple from his pocket--a hard green Sturmer pippin, which hethrew with such force and accuracy that it struck Bob right in themiddle of the back, when the boy uttered a cry of alarm, ran moreswiftly, and Dexter stood for a moment roaring with laughter, and thenturned to find himself face to face with the trio who had come down thegarden. 

"And them pippins worth twopence apiece at Christmas, sir!" cried Dan'l. 

"What are you doing, Dexter!" cried the doctor sternly. 

"I was only giving him an apple or two, " said the boy, after a fewmoments' hesitation. 

"Come in, sir, " cried the doctor. 

"A month's notice, if you please, sir, from to-day, " said Dan'l, frowning angrily; but no one paid any heed to him, for the doctor hadlaid his hand upon Dexter's shoulder, and marched him off. 

"And I've never said nothing yet about our bees, " grumbled Dan'l. "Ayoung tyke! Raddled 'em up with a long stick on purpose to get me stungto death, he did, as is a massy I warn't. Well, a month to-day. Eitherhe goes or I do. Such whims, to have a boy like that about the place. Well, I'm glad I've brought it to a head, for the doctor won't part withme. "

"Now, sir, " said the doctor, as he seated himself in his chair, andHelen took up her work, carefully keeping her eyes off Dexter, wholooked at her appealingly again and again. "Now, sir, what have you tosay for yourself?"

Dexter looked at the doctor, and his countenance was so unpleasantlyangry that the ceiling, the floor, and the various objects around seemedpreferable, and were carefully observed in turn. 

"Do you hear, sir? What have you to say for yourself!"

"What about?" faltered Dexter at last. 

"What about, sir? Just as if you did not know! Weren't you forbiddento touch those apples!"

"Only by Daniel, sir; and he said I was never to touch any fruit at all;but you said I might. "

"Yes--I did. I said you might have some fruit. "

"Apples is fruit, " said Dexter. 

"_Are_ fruit--_are_ fruit, sir, " cried the doctor, in an exasperatedtone. 

"Apples _are_ fruit, " said Dexter. 

"But I did not tell you to pick my choice pippins and throw them acrossthe river to every blackguard boy you see. "

"But he hasn't got a beautiful garden like we have, " protested Dexter. 

"What has that got to do with it, sir?" cried the doctor angrily. "Idon't grow fruit and keep gardeners on purpose to supply the wants ofall the little rascals in the place. "

"He asked me to get him some apples, sir. "

"Asked you to get him some, indeed! Look here, sir; I've tried veryhard to make you a decent boy by kindness, but it does no good. Youwere told not to associate with that boy any more. "

"Please, sir, I didn't, " cried Dexter. "I didn't, indeed, sir. "

"What? Why, I saw you talking to him, and giving him fruit. "

"Please, sir, I couldn't help it. I didn't 'sociate with him; he wouldcome and 'sociate with me. "

"Bah!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"And he said if I didn't give him some apples and pears he'd come andstand in front of the windows here and shout `workus' as loud as hecould. "

"I shall have to send the police after him, " said the doctor fiercely;"and as for you, sir, I've quite made up my mind what to do. Kind wordsare thrown away. I shall now purchase a cane--and use it. "

"Oh, I say, don't, " cried Dexter, giving himself a writhe, as herecalled sundry unpleasant interviews with Mr Sibery. "It does hurtso, you don't know; and makes black marks on you afterwards, just as ifit had been dipped in ink. "

Helen bent down over the work she had taken up. 

"Don't?" said the doctor sharply. "Then what am I to do, sir? Wordsare of no use. I did hope that you were going to be a better and moretractable boy. "

"Well, but ain't I?" said Dexter, looking puzzled, and rubbing his curlyhead. 

"Better? No, sir; much worse. "

Dexter rubbed his head again thoughtfully. 

"I haven't torn my clothes this week, and I haven't been down on myknees; and I haven't been on the top of the wall, and I did want to everso badly. "

"No, Dexter; but you climbed right to the top of the big pear-tree, "said Helen quickly; "and it was a terribly dangerous thing to do. "

"Now you've begun at me!" said the boy in a lachrymose tone. "I'mafraid I'm a regular bad one, and you'd better send me back again. "

The doctor looked at Helen, and she returned the glance with a veryserious aspect, but there was a merry light in her eyes, as she saw herfather's discomfiture. 

He read her looks aright, and got up from his seat with an impatientejaculation. 

"I'm going out, my dear, " he said shortly. 

"Are you going to get a cane!" cried Dexter excitedly. "I say, don't, and I will try so hard to do what you want. "

"I was not going to buy a cane, sir, " said the doctor, who washalf-angry, half-amused by the boy's earnestness. "One of mywalking-sticks would do very well when I give you a good soundthrashing. Here, Helen, my dear, you can speak to Dexter a bit. I willhave another talk to him to-night. "

The doctor left the room, and Dexter stood listening as his step washeard in the hall. Then the door closed, and Helen bent thoughtfullyover her work, while the boy stood first on one foot, then on the other, watching her. The window was open, the sun shone, and the garden withits lawn and bright flowers looked wonderfully tempting, but duty andthe disgrace he was in acted as two chains to hold the boy there. 

"I say, " he said at last. 

"Yes, Dexter, " said Helen, looking up at him sadly. 

"Oh, I say, don't look at me like that, " he cried. 

"You force me to, Dexter, " she said gravely. 

"But ain't you going to talk to me!"

"If I talk to you, it will only be to scold you very severely. "

Dexter sighed. 

"Well, " he said, after a pause, during which he had been gazing intentlyin the earnest eyes before him; "you've got to do it, so let's have itover. I was always glad when I had been punished at school. "

"Glad, Dexter?"

"Yes, glad it was over. It was the worst part of it waiting to haveyour whack!"

"Do you want to oblige me, Dexter?" said Helen, wincing at the boy'swords. 

"Yes, of course I do. Want me to fetch something?"

"No. Once more I want you to promise to leave off some of thoseobjectionable words. "

"But it's of no use to promise, " cried the boy, with a look of angryperplexity. "I always break my word. "

"Then why do you!"

"I dunno, " said Dexter. "There's something in me I think that makes me. You tell me to be a good boy, and I say I will, and I always mean tobe; but somehow I can't. I think it's because nobody likes me, because--because--because I came from there. "

"Do I behave to you as if I did not like you?" said Helen reproachfully. 

The boy was on his knees beside her in a moment, holding her handagainst his cheek as he looked up at her with his lip working, and adumb look of pitiful pleading in his eyes. 

"I do not think I do, Dexter. "

He shook his head, and tried to speak. Then, springing up suddenly, heran out of the study, dashed upstairs, half-blind with the tears whichhe was fighting back, and then with his head down through the open doorinto his bedroom, when there was a violent collision, a shriek followedby a score more to succeed a terrific crash, and when in alarm Helen andMrs Millet ran panting up, it was to find Dexter rubbing his head, andMaria seated in the middle of the boy's bedroom with the sherds of abroken toilet pail upon the floor, and an ewer lying upon its side, andthe water soaking into the carpet. 

"What is the matter?" cried Helen. 

"I won't--I won't--I declare I won't put up with it no longer!" criedthe maid in the intervals of sundry sobs and hysterical cries. 

"But how did it happen!" said Mrs Millet. 

"It's--sit's--sit's--sit's--sit's--sit's--his tricks again, " sobbedMaria. 

"Dexter!" cried Helen. 

"Yes--es--Miss--es--ma'am, " sobbed Maria. "I'd dide--I'd dide--I'd--just half--half--half filled the war--war--war--ter--jug, and he ran--ran--ran at me with his head--dead in the chest--and then--then--then--then knocked me dud--dud--dud--down, and I'll go at once, I will--there. "

"Dexter, " said Helen sternly; "was this some trick?"

"I don't know, " said the boy sadly. "I s'pose so. "

"But did you run at Maria and try to knock her down?"

"No, " said Dexter. "I was going into my room in a hurry, and she wascoming out. "

"He did it o' purpose, Miss, " cried Maria viciously. 

"That will do, Maria, " said Helen with dignity. "Mrs Millet, see thatthese broken pieces are removed. Dexter, come down to the drawing-roomwith me. "

Dexter sighed and followed, feeling the while that after all the UnionSchool was a happy place, and that he certainly was not happy here. 

"It is very unfortunate that you should meet with such accidents, Dexter, " said Helen, as soon as they were alone. 

"Yes, " he said piteously, "ain't it? I say--"

"Well, Dexter!"

"It's no good. I know what he wants to do. He said he wanted to make agentleman of me, but you can't do it, and I'd better be 'prenticed to ashoemaker, same as lots of boys have been. "

Helen said nothing, but looked at the boy with a troubled gaze, as shewondered whether her father's plan was possible. 

"You had better go out in the garden again, Dexter, " she said after atime. 

The trouble had been passing off, and Dexter leaped up with alacrity;but as he reached the window he saw Dan'l crossing the lawn, and hestopped short, turned, and came back to sit down with a sigh. 

"Well, Dexter, " said Helen, "why don't you go?"

He gave her a pitiful look which went right to her heart, as he saidslowly--

"No. I shan't go. I should only get into trouble again. "

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. 

THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE. 

"I say, " said Dexter, a few days later, as he followed Helen into thedrawing-room. "What have I been doing now!"

"I hope nothing fresh, Dexter. Have you been in mischief!"

"I don't know, " he said; "only I've been in the study, and there's atall gent. "

"Say gentleman, Dexter. "

"Tall gentleman with a white handkerchief round his neck, and he hasbeen asking me questions, and every time I answered him he sighed, andsaid, `Dear me!'"

"Indeed!" said Helen, smiling. "What did he ask you?"

"If I knew Euclid; and when I said I didn't know him, he said, `Oh dearme!' Then he asked me if I knew Algebra, and I said I didn't, and heshook his head at me and said, `Dear me! dear me!' and that he wouldhave to pull me up. I say, what have I done to be pulled up!"

"Don't you know that Euclid wrote a work on Geometry, and that Algebrais a study by which calculations are made!"

"No, " said Dexter eagerly. "I thought they were two people. Then whydid he say he would have to pull me up?"

"He meant that you were very much behind with, your studies, and that hewould have to teach you and bring you forward. "

"Oh, I see! And is he going to teach me?"

"Yes, Mr Limpney is your private tutor now; and he is coming every day, so I hope you will be very industrious, and try hard to learn. "

"Oh yes, I'll try. Mr Limpney; I don't think he much liked me, though. "

"Nonsense, Dexter; you should not think such things. "

"All right. I won't then. It will be like going to school again, won'tit?"

"Much pleasanter, I hope. "

Time glided rapidly on after its usual fashion, and Dexter grew fast. 

There was a long range of old stabling at the doctor's house, withextensive lofts. The first part was partitioned off for a coachman'sroom, but this had not been in use for half a century, and the wholeplace was ruinous and decayed. Once upon a time some one with a love ofhorses must have lived there, for there were stalls for eight, and acoach-house as well, but the doctor only kept two horses, and theyoccupied a new stable built in front of the old. 

The back part was one of Dexter's favourite hunting-grounds. Here hecould be quite alone, and do pretty well as he liked. Peter the groomnever noticed his goings-out and comings-in, and there was no one tofind fault with him for being untidy. 

Here then he had quite a little menagerie of his own. His pocket-money, as supplied by the doctor, afforded him means for buying any littlething he fancied, and hence he had in one of the lofts a couple of veryancient pigeons, which the man of whom he bought them declared to beextremely young; a thrush in a cage; two hedge-sparrows, which weresupposed to be linnets, in another; two mice in an old cigar-box linedwith tin; and a very attenuated rat, which had been caught by Peter in atrap, and which was allowed to live _minus_ one foreleg that had beencut short off close to the shoulder, but over which the skin had grown. 

No one interfered with Dexter's pets, and in fact the old range ofstabling was rarely visited, even by the gardeners, so that the placebecame not only the boy's favourite resort in his loneliness, but, so tospeak, his little kingdom where he reigned over his pets. 

There was plenty of room, especially in the lofts with their cross-beamsand ties; and here, with his pets, as the only spectators, Dexter usedto go daily to get rid of the vitality which often battled for exit inthe confinement of the house. Half an hour here of the performance ofso many natural gymnastic tricks seemed to tame him down--these tricksbeing much of a kind popular amongst caged monkeys, who often, for noapparent object, spring about and hang by hands or feet, often by theirtail. 

But he had one piece of enjoyment that would have driven a monkey madwith envy. He had discovered among the lumber a very largeold-fashioned bottle-jack, and after hanging this from a hook andwinding it up, one of his greatest pleasures was to hang from that jack, and roast till he grew giddy, when he varied the enjoyment by bucklingon a strap, attaching himself with a hook from the waist, and then goingthrough either a flying or swimming movement as he spun slowly round. 

Then he had a rope-trick or two contrived by means of a long piece ofknotted together clothes-line, doubled, and hung from the rafters toform a swing or trapeze. 

Dexter had paid his customary morning visit to his pets, and carefullyfed them according to his wont; his plan, a very regular one among boys, being to give them twice as much as was good for them one day, and astarving the next--a mode said to be good with pigs, and productive ofstreaky bacon, but bad for domestic pets. Then he had returned to thehouse to go through his lessons, and sent long-suffering Mr Limpney, BA, almost into despair by the little progress he had made, after whichhe had gone down the garden with the expectation of meeting Dan'l atsome corner, but instead had come upon Peter, busy as usual with hisbroom. 

"Yer needn't look, " said the latter worthy; "he's gone out. "

"What! Dan'l has?"

"Yes; gone to see a friend who's a gardener over at Champney Ryle, tobuy some seeds. "

It was like the announcement of a holiday, and leaving the groom makingthe usual long stretches with his broom, Dexter went on aimlessly to theriver-side, where, for the first time for many months, he found BobDimsted fishing. 

"Hullo, old un!" was the latter's greeting, "how are you!"

Dexter gave the required information, and hesitated for a few moments, something in the way of a collection of Helen's warnings coming vaguelyto his hand; but the volunteered information of the boy on the otherside of the river, that he had got some "glorious red wums, " and thatthe fish were well on the feed, drove everything else away, and in a fewminutes Dexter was sitting upon the crown of a willow pollard, ten feetout over the river, that much nearer to the fisher, and in earnestconversation with him as he watched his float. 

Once more the memory of words that had been spoken to him came toDexter, but the bobbing of the float, and the excitement of capturing afish, drove the thoughts away--the fascination of the fishing, and thepleasant excitement of meeting a companion of near his own age, cut off, as he was, from the society of boys, being too much for him; and he wassoon eagerly listening, and replying to all that was said. 

"Ever go fishing in a boat?" said Bob, after a time. 

"No. "

"Ah! you should go in a boat, " said Bob. "You sit down comfortable, with your feet all dry, and you can float over all the deep holes andbest places in the river, and catch all the big fish. It's lovely!"

"Did you ever fish out of a boat?" asked Dexter. 

"Did I ever fish out of a boat? Ha! ha! ha! Lots of times. I'm goingto get a boat some day, and have a saucepan and kettle and plate andspoon, and take my fishing-tackle, and then I shall get a gun or apistol, and go off down the river. "

"What for!"

"What for? Why, to live like that, catching fish, and shooting wildducks and geese, and cooking 'em, and eating 'em. Then you have a'paulin and spread it over the boat of a night, and sleep under it--andthere you are!"

Dexter looked at the adventurous being before him in wonder, while hefished on and talked. 

"I should make myself a sail, too, and then I shouldn't have to row somuch; and then I could go right on down to the end of the river, andsail away to foreign countries, and shoot all kinds of wonderful things. And then you could land sometimes and kill snakes, and make yourself ahut to live in, and do just as you liked. Ah, that is a fine life!"

"Yes, " said Dexter, whose eager young mind rapidly painted anillustration to everything his companion described. 

"A man I know has been to sea, and he says sometimes you come to placeswhere there's nothing but mackerel, and you can almost ladle 'em outwith your hands. I should boil 'em over a fire. They are good then. "

Dexter's eyes grew more round. 

"Then out at sea you have long lines, and you catch big cod-fish, andsoles almost as big as the boat. "

"And are you going to have a boat?"

"To be sure I am. I get tired of always coming out to catch littleroach and dace and eels. I mean to go soon. "

Dexter sighed. 

"That man says when you go far enough away, you come to islands wherethe cocoa-nuts grow; and then, all you've got to do is go ashore andpull your boat up on the sands, and when you are hungry you climb a treeand get a cocoa-nut; and every one has got enough meat and drink in itfor a meal. "

"Do you?"

"Yerrrs! That you do. That's the sort of place to go and live at. I'mtired o' Coleby. "

"Why don't you go and live there, then!" said Dexter. 

"I'm going to, some day. It's no use to be in too much of a hurry; Iwant to save a little money first, and get some more tackle. You see, you want big hooks for big fish, and some long lines. Then you musthave a boat. "

The idea of the unknown countries made Dexter thrill, and he listenedeagerly as the boy went on prosing away while he fished, taking out hisline from time to time, and dropping the bait in likely places. 

"Haven't made up my mind what boat I shall have yet, only it must be agood one. "

"Yes, " said Dexter; "you'd want a good big boat. "

"Not such a very big un, " said Bob. "I should want a nice un withcushions, because you'd have to sit in it so long. "

"And sleep in it too?"

"Oh yes; you'd have to sleep in it. "

"Should you light the fire, and cook in it!" said Dexter innocently. 

"Yah! No, o' course not. You'd go ashore every time you wanted tocook, and light a fire there with a burnin'-glass. "

"But suppose the sun didn't shine!"

"Sun always shines out there, " said Bob. "That sailor chap told me, andthe birds are all sorts of colours, and the fish too, like you see inglass globes. I mean to go. "

"When shall you go?"

"Oh, some day when I'm ready. I know of a jolly boat as would just do. "

"Do you?"

"Yes; I dessay you've seen it. Belongs to Danby's, down the river. Lives in a boat-house. "

"Yes, I've seen it, " said Dexter eagerly. "It is a beauty!"

"Well, that's the sort of boat I mean to have. P'r'aps I shall havethat. "

"You couldn't have that, " cried Dexter. 

"Why not? They never use it, not more'n twice a year. Dessay they'dlend it. "

"That they wouldn't, " cried Dexter. 

"Well, then, I should borrow it, and bring it back when I'd done withit. What games you could have with a boat like that!"

"Yes, " sighed Dexter; "wish we had one!"

"Wouldn't be such a good one as that if you had. That's just the boatI've made up my mind to have. "

"And shall you sail right away to a foreign country!" said Dexter, fromhis nest up in the willow. 

"Why, how can you sail away to another place without a mast and sail, stoopid!" cried Bob. 

"If you call me stupid, " said Dexter sharply, "I'll come and punch yourhead. "

"Yah! Yer can't get at me. "

"Can't I? I could swim across in a minute, and I would, if it wasn'tfor wetting my clothes. "

"Yah!" cried Bob scoffingly. "Why, I could fight yer one hand. "

"No, you couldn't. "

"Yes, I could. "

"Well, you'd see, if I came across. "

"But yer can't get across, " laughed Bob. "I know of a capital mast. "

Dexter looked sulky. 

"It's part of an old boat-hook my father found floating in the river. Ishall smooth it down with my knife if I can't borrow a spokeshave. "

"And what'll you do for a sail?" said Dexter, his interest in theexpedition chasing away his anger. 

"Oh, I shall get a table-cloth or a sheet. Sheets make beautiful sails. You just hoists 'em up, and puts an oar over the stern to steer with, and then away you go, just where you like. Sailing along in a boat'slovely!"

"Ever been in a boat sailing?" asked Dexter. 

"No; but I know it is. That sailor told me. He says when you've gotall sail set, you just cruises along. "

"Do you?"

"Yes. I know; and I mean to go some day; but it's no use to be in ajolly hurry, and you ought to have a mate. "

"Ought you?"

"Yes, so as he could steer while a chap went to sleep; because sometimesyou'd be a long way from the shore. "

Dexter sat very thoughtful and still, dreaming of the wonders of far-offplaces, such as could be reached by Bob Dimsted and his companion, theimpracticability of such a journey never once occurring to him. Bob hadbeen about all his life free to go and come, while he, Dexter, seemed tohave been always shut up, as it were, in a cage, which had narrowed hismind. 

"Some chaps would be glad of such a chance, " said Bob. "It'll be a finetime. My, what fishing I shall have!"

"Shall you be gone long!" said Dexter, after a time. 

"Long? Why, of course I shall; years and years. I shan't come backtill I've made a fortune, and am a rich man, with heaps of money tospend. Some chaps would be glad to go. "

"Yes, of course, " said Dexter dreamily. 

"I want to get a mate who isn't afraid of anything. Dessay we shouldmeet lions sometimes, and big snakes. "

"What! in England!"

"England! Yah! Who's going to stop in England? I'm going to sail awayto wonderful places all over the world. "

"But would the boat be big enough to cross the great sea?"

"Who's going to cross the great sea?" cried Bob. "Of course Ishouldn't. I should only go out about six miles from shore, and keepclose in, so as to land every night to get grub, or anything else. P'r'aps to go shooting. My father's got an old gun--a fine un. Think Idon't know what I'm about? Shoots hares with it, and fezzans. 

"There's another!" he exclaimed, as he hooked and landed an unfortunatelittle perch, which he threw into his basket with a look of disgust. "I'm sick of ketching such miserable little things as these. I want toget hold of big sea-fish of all kinds, so as to fill the boat. Somechaps would be glad to go, " he said again, as he threw his line in oncemore. 

"Yes, " said Dexter thoughtfully; "I should like to go. "

"You!" said Bob, with a mocking laugh. "You! Why, you'd be afraid. Idon't believe you dare go in a boat!"

"Oh yes, I dare, " said Dexter stoutly. 

"Not you. You're afraid of what the doctor would say. You daren't evencome fishing with me up the river. "

"They said I was not to go with you, " said Dexter quietly; "so Icouldn't. "

"Then what's the use of your saying you'd like to go. You couldn't. "

"But I should like to go, " said Dexter excitedly. 

"Not you. I want a mate as has got some pluck in him. You'd be afraidto be out all night on the water. "

"No, I shouldn't. I should like it. "

"Well, I don't know, " said Bob dubiously. "I might take you, and Imightn't. You ain't quite the sort of a chap I should want; and, besides, you've got to stay where you are and learn lessons. Ho! ho!ho! what a game, to be obliged to stop indoors every day and learnlessons! I wonder you ain't ashamed of it. "

Dexter's cheeks flushed, and he looked angrily across the river with hisfists clenched, but he said nothing. 

"You wouldn't do. You ain't strong enough, " said Bob at last. 

"I'm as strong as you are. "

"But you daren't come. "

"I should like to come, but I don't think they'd let me. "

"Why, of course they wouldn't, stoopid. You'd have to come away somenight quietly, and get in the boat, and then we'd let her float down theriver, and row right away till morning, and then we could set the sail, and go just wherever we liked, because we should be our own masters. "

"Here's some one coming after you, " said Bob, in a low voice; and heshrank away, leaving Dexter perched up in the crown of the tree, wherehe stopped without speaking, as he saw Helen come down the garden, andshe walked close by him without raising her eyes, and passed on. 

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE. 

THE TROUBLE GROWS. 

Dexter got down out of the willow-tree with a seed in his brain. 

Bob Dimsted had dropped that seed into his young mind, and there it hadstruck root directly, and continued to grow. A hard fight nowcommenced. 

So long as he was with Helen or the doctor, he could think of nothingbut the fact that they were so kind to him, and took so much interest inhis welfare, that it would be horribly ungrateful to go away withoutleave, and he vowed that he would not go. 

But so sure as he was alone, a series of dissolving views began to floatbefore his vivid imagination, and he saw Sir James Danby's boat managedby Bob Dimsted and himself, gliding rapidly along through river andalong by sunlit shores, where, after catching wonderfully tinted fish, he and the boy landed to light a fire, cook their food, and partake ofit in a delightful gipsy fashion. Then they put to sea again, andglided on past wondrous isles where cocoa-nut palms waved in the softbreeze. 

Try how he would, Dexter could not keep these ideas out of his head, andthe more he thought, the brighter and more attractive they became; andday after day found him, whenever he had an opportunity, waiting aboutby the river-side in the expectation of seeing Bob Dimsted. 

Bob did not come, but as Dexter climbed up into his nest in the willowpollard his vivid imagination supplied the words he had said, and heseemed to see himself sailing away, with the boy for his companion, downthe river, and out into the open sea; a portion of this globe which heformed out of his own fancy, the result being wonderfully unlike thetruth. 

Bob did not come, but Helen noticed how quiet and thoughtful the boyseemed, and also how he affected that portion of the garden. 

"Why don't you fish, Dexter?" she said to him one day, as she saw himgazing disconsolately at the river. 

He had not thought of this as an excuse for staying down by the river, but he snatched at the idea now, and for the next week, whenever hecould get away from his lessons or their preparation, he was down on thebank, dividing his time between watching his float and the oppositeshore. 

But still Bob Dimsted did not come; and at last Dexter began to settledown seriously to his fishing, as the impressions made grew more faint. 

Then all at once back they came; for as he sat watching his float oneday, a voice said sharply--

"Now then! why don't you strike!"

But Dexter did not strike, and the fish went off with the bait as theholder of the rod exclaimed--

"Why haven't you been fishing all this time!"

"What was the good?" said Bob, "I was getting ready to go, and talkingto my mate, who's going with me. "

"Your mate!" exclaimed Dexter, whose heart sank at those words. 

"Yes, I know'd you wouldn't go, so. I began to look out for a chap whowould. "

"But I didn't say that I really would not go, " said Dexter, as he laidhis tackle under the bushes. 

"Oh yes, you did; I could see what you meant. Do they bite to-day!"

"I don't know, " said Dexter dolefully. "But, I say, you couldn't havethat boat if you wanted to. "

"Oh yes, I could if I liked. "

"But it isn't yours. "

"Tchah! couldn't you borrow it!"

Dexter did not see how, and he climbed into the willow, while Bob wenton fishing. 

"I hate a chap who is always trying to find out things to stop a fellowfrom doing anything. Why don't you say you won't go and ha' done withit?"

Dexter sighed as he thought of the wonderful fish to be caught, and thegreat nuts on the trees, each of which nuts would make a meal. Then ofthe delight of sailing away in that beautiful boat down the river, andthen out to sea, where they could land upon the sands and light theirfire; and it seemed to him that such a life would be one long time ofdelight. 

He sat in his nest picking the buds off the willow twigs, and bendingand lacing them together, furtively glancing at grubby-looking BobDimsted, whose appearance was not attractive; but what were appearancesto a boy who possessed such gifts of knowledge in fishing and managing aboat, and had learned so much about foreign lands?

Dexter sighed again, and Bob gave him a furtive look, as with evidentenjoyment he took a red worm out of some moss and stuck his sharp hookinto it, drew the writhing creature over the shank, and then passed thepoint through again and again. 

So to speak, he had impaled Dexter on a moral hook as well, the barb hadgone right in so that it could not be drawn out without tearing; andDexter writhed and twined, and felt as if he would have given anythingto get away. 

Bob went on fishing, throwing the twisting worm just down among theroots of a willow-tree, and the float told directly after that the castwas not without avail, for there was a quick bobbing movement, then asharp snatch, Bob struck, and, after a good deal of rushing about andsplashing, a good-sized perch was landed, with its sharp back fin erect, and its gilded sides, with their black markings, glistening in thesunshine. 

"What a beauty!" cried Dexter enthusiastically, as for the moment thewonders of the boating expedition were forgotten. 

But they were brought back directly. 

"Pooh!" exclaimed Bob contemptuously. "That's nothing; only a littleperch. Why, if we went off fishing in that boat, you'd chuck a fishlike that in again. "

But Bob did not "chuck" that perch in again; he placed it in his basket, and directly after caught up his various articles of fishing-gear andran off. 

Dexter was about to speak, but just then he heard a harsh cough, and, glancing through the screen of willow twigs which surrounded him, he sawold Dan'l coming hastily down over the grass path towards the tree. 

"Yes, I can see yer, " he shouted, as he reached the water's edge; and, to Dexter's surprise, he found that it was not he the old gardener wasaddressing. "You come over there fishing again, I'll send the policearter yer. "

Bob, safe at a distance, made a derisive gesture. 

"None of your sarse, you poaching young vagabond. I know what you camethere for. Be off with you. "

"Shan't, " cried Bob, as he settled down to fish a hundred yards away. 

"Always coming here after that boy, " grumbled Dan'l. "If I could havemy way I'd bundle 'em both out of the town together. Young robbers, --that's what they are, the pair of 'em. "

Dexter's face flushed, and he was about to respond, but the old gardenerbegan to move away. 

"Doctor ought to be ashamed of himself, " he grumbled, as he stood for amoment or two looking round in search of Dexter, but never looking abovethe brim of his broad straw hat, and the next moment Dexter was leftalone seated in the crown of the old willow, very low-spirited andthoughtful, as he came down from his perch, brushed the bits of greenfrom his clothes, and then walked slowly up toward the house, taking theother side of the garden; but of course coming right upon Dan'l, whofollowed him about till he took refuge in the doctor's study, with abook whose contents seemed to be a history of foreign lands, and thepictures records of the doings of one Dexter Grayson and his companionBob. For the old effervescence consequent upon his having been keptdown so long was passing off, and a complete change seemed to be comingover the boy. 

Quicksilver--by George Manville Fenn

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR. 

THE PLEASANT WAYS OF LEARNING. 

"Now, Master Grayson, " said Mr Limpney, "what am I to say to thedoctor!"

The private tutor threw himself back in his seat in the study, vacatedby the doctor, while Dexter had his lessons, placed his hands behind hishead, and, after wrinkling his forehead in lines from his brow to righton the top, where the hair began, he stared hard at his pupil. 

"I say again, sir, what am I to tell the doctor!"

"I don't know, " said Dexter dolefully. Then, plucking up a littlespirit: "I wrote out all my history questions, and did the parsing witha little help from Miss Grayson, and I did the sum you set me all bymyself. "

"Yes; but the Algebra, the Classics, and the Euclid! Where are they?"

"There they are, " said Dexter, pointing dismally to some books on thetable. 

"Yes, sir, there they are--on that table, when they ought to be in yourhead. "

"But they won't go in my head, sir, " cried Dexter desperately. 

"Nonsense, sir! you will not let them, and I warn you plainly, that ifwe do not make better progress, I shall tell the doctor that I will notcontinue to take his payment for nothing. "

"No; I say; don't do that, " said Dexter piteously. "He wouldn't likeit. "

"I cannot help that, sir. I have my duty to perform. Anybody can dothose childish history and grammatical questions; it is the classicaland mathematical lessons in which I wish you to excel. Now, once more. No, no, you must not refer to the book. `In any right-angled triangle, the square of the side--' Now, go on. "

Dexter took up a slate and pencil, wrinkled up his forehead as nearlylike the tutor's as he could, and slowly drew a triangle. 

"Very good, " said Mr Limpney. "Now, go on. "

Dexter stared at his sketch, then helplessly at his instructor. 

"I ought to write _ABC_ here, oughtn't I, sir?"

"Yes, of course. Go on. "

Dexter hesitated, and then put a letter at each corner. 

"Well, have it that way if you like, " said Mr Limpney. 

"I don't like it that way, sir, " said Dexter. "I'll put it your way. "

"No, no. Go on your way. "

"But I haven't got any way, sir, " said Dexter desperately. 

"Nonsense, nonsense! Go on. "

"Please, sir, I can't. I've tried and tried over and over again, butthe angles all get mixed up with the sides, and it is all such a muddle. I shall never learn Euclid. Is it any use?"

"Is it any use!" cried the tutor scornfully. "Look at me, sir. Has itbeen any use to me!"

Dexter looked at the face before him, and then right up the forehead, and wondered whether learning Euclid had made all the hair come off thetop of his head. 

"Well, go on. "

"I can't, sir, please, " sighed the boy. "I know it's something aboutsquares, and _ABC_, and _BAC_, and _CAB_, and--but you produce thelines. "

"But you do not produce them, sir, " cried Mr Limpney angrily; "noranything else! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, sir!"

"I am, " said Dexter innocently. "I'm a dreadfully stupid boy, sir, andI don't think I've got any brains. "

"Are you going through that forty-seventh problem this morning, sir?"

Dexter made a desperate attempt, floundered on a quarter of a minute, and broke down in half. 

"Tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated Mr Limpney. "I'm sure you have not lookedat it since I was here. "

"That I have, sir, " cried Dexter, in a voice full of eager protest. "Hours and hours, sir, I walked up and down the garden with it, and thenI took the book up with me into my loft, and made a chalk triangle onthe floor, and kept on saying it over and over, but as fast as I said itthe words slipped out of my head again. I can't help it, sir, I am sostupid. "

"Algebra!" said Mr Limpney, in a tone of angry disgust. 

"Am I not to try and say the Euclid, sir?"

"Algebra!" cried Mr Limpney again, and he slapped the table with a thinbook. "Now then, where are these simple equations?"

Dexter drew a half-sheet of foolscap paper from a folio, and rathershrinkingly placed it before his tutor, who took a pair of spectaclesfrom his pocket, and placed them over his mild-looking eyes. 

"Let me see, " he said, referring to a note-book. "The questions I gaveyou were: `A spent 2 shillings and 6 pence in oranges, and says thatthree of them cost as much under a shilling as nine of them cost over ashilling. How many did he buy?'"

Mr Limpney coughed, blew his nose loudly, as if it were a post-horn, and then went on--

"Secondly: `Two coaches start at the same time for York and London, adistance of 200 miles, travelling one at nine and a half miles an hour, the other at nine and a quarter miles; where will they meet, and in whattime from starting?'"

He gave his nose a finishing touch with his handkerchief, closed hisnote-book, and turned to Dexter. 

"Now then, " he said. "Let us see. "

He took the sheet of paper, looked at one side, turned it over andlooked at the other, and then raised his eyes to Dexter's, which avoidedhis gaze directly. 

"What is this?" he cried. 

"The equations, sir, " said Dexter humbly. 

"Tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated Mr Limpney. "Was there ever such a boy?_plus_ where it ought to be _minus_, and--why, what's this!"

"This, sir?" said Dexter. "Half-crowns. "

"But it was to be oranges. How many did he buy? and here you say hebought ninety-seven half-crowns. I don't know how you arrived at it, orwhat you mean. A man does not go to a shop to buy half-crowns. Hespent half a crown in oranges. "

"Yes, sir. "

"I believe it's sheer obstinacy. You do not want to do theseequations--simple equations too, mind you! Now then, about thestage-coaches. When did they meet, and in what time from starting? Nowthen--there are your figures, where did they meet? Look and tell me. "

Dexter took the half-sheet of paper, stared at it very doubtfully, andthen looked up. 

"Well!" said Mr Limpney. "Where did they meet?"

"Peterborough, sir. "

"Where!" cried Mr Limpney in astonishment. 

"Peterborough, sir. "

"Now, will you have the goodness to tell me how you found out that?"

"On the map, sir. "

"Bless my soul!" exclaimed the tutor. "Well, go on. At what time fromstarting!"

"About ten o'clock, sir. "

"Better and better, " said the tutor sarcastically. "Now, will youkindly explain--no, no, don't look at your figures--Will you kindlyexplain how you arrived at this sapient conclusion?"

Dexter hesitated, and shifted one foot over the other. 

"Well, sir, I am waiting, " cried Mr Limpney, in a tone of voice whichmade Dexter think very much resembled that of Mr Sibery when he wasangry. 

"I--I--"

"Don't hesitate, sir. Have I not told you again and again that agentleman never hesitates, but speaks out at once? Now then, I ask youhow you arrived at this wonderful conclusion?"

"I tried over and over again, sir, with the _a's_ and _b's_, and then Ithought I must guess it. "

"And did you guess it?"

"No, sir, I suddenly recollected what you said. "

"And pray, what did I say!"

"Why, sir, you always said let _x_ represent the unknown quantity, and--and _x_ stands for ten--ten o'clock. "

Mr Limpney snatched the paper from the boy's hand, and was about totear it up, when the door opened and Dr Grayson entered. 

"Well, " he said pleasantly, "and how are we getting on?"

"Getting on, sir?" said Mr Limpney tartly. "Will you have the goodnessto ask my pupil!"

"To be sure--to be sure, " said the doctor. "Well, Dexter, how are yougetting on? Eh? what's this? Oh, Algebra!" he continued, as he tookthe half-sheet of paper covered with the boy's calligraphy. "Oh, Algebra! Hah! I never was much of a fist at that. "

"Only simple equations, sir, " said the tutor. 

"Ah, yes. Simple equations. Well, Dexter, how are you getting on?"

"Very badly, sir. "

"Badly? Nonsense!"

"But I am, sir. These things puzzle me dreadfully. I'm so stupid. "

"Stupid? Nonsense! Nothing of the kind. Scarcely anybody is stupid. Men who can't understand some things understand others. Now, let's see. What is the question? H'm! ah! yes, oranges. H'm! ah! yes; notdifficult, I suppose, when you know how. And--what's this? London andYork--stage-coaches. Nine and a half miles, nine and a quarter miles, and--er--h'm, yes, of course, where would they meet?"

"Peterborough, sir, " said Mr Limpney sarcastically, and with a peculiarlook at Dexter. 

"H'm! would they now?" said the doctor. "Well, I shouldn't have thoughtit! And how is he getting on with his Latin, Mr Limpney!"

"Horribly, sir!" exclaimed the tutor sharply. "I am very glad you havecome, for I really feel it to be my duty to complain to you of the greatwant of diligence displayed by my pupil. "

"Dear me! I am very sorry, " exclaimed the doctor. "Why, Dexter, myboy, how's this? You promised me that you would be attentive. "

"Yes, sir, I did. "

"Then why are you not attentive?"

"I do try to be, sir. "

"But if you were, Mr Limpney would not have cause to complain. It'stoo bad, Dexter, too bad. Do you know why Mr Limpney comes here?"

"Yes, sir, " said the boy dismally; "to teach me. "

"And you do not take advantage of his teaching. This is very serious. Very sad indeed. "

"I am sure, Dr Grayson, that no tutor could have taken more pains thanI have to impart to him the various branches of a liberal education; butafter all these months of teaching it really seems to me that we arefurther behind. He is not a dull boy. "

"Certainly not. By no means, " said the doctor. 

"And I do not give him tasks beyond his powers. "

"I hope not, I am sure, " said the doctor. 

"And yet not the slightest progress is made. There is only oneexplanation, sir, and that is want of diligence. "

"Dear me! dear me! dear me!" exclaimed the doctor. "Now, Dexter, whathave you to say?"

"Nothing, sir!" said the boy sadly; "only I think sometimes that mybrains must be too wet. "

"Good gracious! boy: what do you mean!"

"I mean too wet and slippery, sir, so that they will not hold what I putinto them. "

The doctor looked at the tutor, and the tutor looked at the doctor, asif he considered that this was impertinence. 

"I am very sorry--very sorry indeed, Dexter, " said the doctor. "There, sir, you can go now. I will have a talk to Mr Limpney. We must see ifwe cannot bring you to a better frame of mind. "

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE. 

DEXTER'S DUMB FRIENDS. 

Dexter went out into the hall feeling exceedingly miserable, for he hadleft the occupants of the study talking about him, and, as the sayinggoes, it made his ears burn. "I couldn't help it, " he said dolefully:"I did try. I'll go and tell Miss Grayson all about it, and ask her totake my part. "

He went into the drawing-room, but Helen was not there, so he ranupstairs, and was in the act of tapping at her bedroom door, when Mariacame out of another room. 

It was a curious fact, but there it was: Dexter always had the effectupon Maria that a dog has upon a cat. The dog may be of the mostamiable disposition, and without the slightest desire to fight or worry, but as soon as he is seen, up goes the cat's back in an arch, the tailbecomes plumose and the fur horrent, while, with dilated eyes anddisplayed teeth glistening, puss indulges in the bad language peculiarto cats. 

Maria being of a different physique did not display these signs ofaggression exactly, but she invariably became vicious and metaphysicallyshowed her teeth. 

"It's of no use your knocking there, Master Dexter. Miss Helen isn't athome, and I'm quite sure if she was that she wouldn't approve of yourtrapesing up out of the garden in your muddy and dirty shoes. I've gotenough to do here without cleaning up after you. "

"But I haven't been in the garden, Maria, " said Dexter, apologetically. "I have just come out of the study. "

"Don't I tell you she ain't at home, " said Maria spitefully. 

"Do you know when she will be back!"

"No, I don't, " said Maria, and then sarcastically: "I beg your pardon, _sir_--no I don't, _sir_. "

Maria went along the passage like a roaring wind, she made so much noisewith her skirts, and then hurried downstairs, as if in great haste toget hold of a door that she could bang; and as soon as she did reachone, she made so much use of her opportunity that a picture in the hallwas blown sidewise, and began swinging to and fro like a great squarependulum. 

Dexter sighed, and felt very miserable as he stole downstairs again, andpast the study door, where the murmur of voices talking, as he knew, about him made him shiver. 

He was obliged to pass that door to get his cap, and then he had to passit again to get to the garden door. 

Mr Limpney was talking, and Mr Limpney, being accustomed to lectureand teach, spoke very loudly, so that Dexter heard him say--

"I must have more authority, sir, and--"

Dexter heard no more, for he fled into the garden, but he knew thathaving authority meant the same as it meant with Mr Sibery, and itsounded like going backwards. 

He felt more miserable as he went out into the garden. 

"Nobody hardly seems to like me, or care for me here, " he saiddolefully; and, led by his inclination, he began to make his way downthe long green path toward the river, half fancying that Bob Dimstedmight be fishing. 

But before he had gone far he saw Dan'l, who was busy doing up a bed, and his appearance seemed to be the signal for the old man to put downhis tools and take out his great pruning-knife, as if he meant mischief, but only to stoop from time to time to cut off a dead flower as anexcuse, so it seemed, for following Dexter wherever he went. 

It was impossible to go about the garden under these circumstances, soDexter went down a little way, passed round a large _Wellingtonia_, andwalked slowly back toward the house, but, instead of entering, went bythe open window of the study, where the voice of Mr Limpney could stillbe heard talking loudly, and, as it seemed to the listening boy, breathing out threatenings against his peace of mind. The voice soundedso loud as he went by that he half-expected to hear himself called in, and in great dread he hurried on by the conservatory, and round thehouse to the old stable-yard. 

As he reached this he could hear a peculiar hissing noise--that whichPeter always made when he was washing the carriage, or the horses'legs--to blow away the dust, so he said. 

For a moment Dexter felt disposed to go into the new stable and talk toPeter, but the opportunity was not tempting, and, hurrying on, the boyreached the old buildings, looked round for a moment, and, thussatisfied that he was not observed, he made a spring up to a little oldwindow, caught the sill, scrambled up directly, and, passing through, disappeared inside. 

He uttered a sigh as of relief, and crossing the damp stones of thegloomy old place he reached a crazy flight of steps, which led up to aloft, on either side of which were openings, through which, when thestable had been in use, it had been customary to thrust down thestored-up hay. 

Dexter stopped here in the darkness for a few minutes listening, but noone was following him, and he walked along to a second ladder which ledto a trap-door through which he passed, closed the trap, and then, inthe long roof a place greatly resembling in shape the triangle overwhose problem of squares he had that day stumbled, he seemed once morehimself. 

His first act was to run quietly along some boards laid over the loftceiling, and, making a jump that would not have disgraced an acrobat, hecaught at a rope, pendent from the highest portion of the rafters, twisted his legs about it, and swung easily to and fro. 

The motion seemed to give him the greatest satisfaction, and as theimpetus given died out, he dropped one foot, and with a few vigorousthrusts set himself going again till he was tired. 

But that was not very soon, and he did not leave off till there weresundry scratchings and squeakings, which drew his attention to his pets, all of which were eager for food. 

They were a heterogeneous collection, but, for the most part, exceedingly tame, and ready to allow themselves to be handled, constantfamiliarity with the gentle hand so often thrust into their boxes orcages having robbed it of its terrors. 

Dexter's happiest moments were passed here, saving those which Helencontinued to make pleasant to the boy; and as soon as his pets had drawnhis attention, he took off his jacket and vest, rolled up his sleeves, and began to attend to their wants. 

His rabbits--two which he had bought through Bob Dimsted, who made aprofit of a hundred per cent, by the transaction--were lifted out of thepacking-case they occupied, and in which they were kept by the lid beingclosed within half an inch, by their pink ears, and immediately stood upon their hind-legs, with drooping fore-paws, their pink noses twitchingas they smelt their owner's legs, till he gave them a couple of redcarrots, a portion of Dan'l's last year's store. 

The next to be taken out was a hedgehog, a prize of his own discovering, and captured one day asleep and tightly rolled up beneath one of thePortugal laurels. 

The minute before its box was open, the hedgehog was activelyperambulating its dark prison, but the moment it was touched it became aball, in which form it was rolled out on to the rough floor close to aflower-pot saucer of bread and milk, smuggled up directly afterbreakfast each morning. 

Next came the large grey rat, captured originally in the steel trap, andwhose first act might have been anticipated. It did not resent itsowner's handling; but the moment it was set down it darted under theloose boards, and remained there until tempted forth by the smell of thebread and milk, and a tempting piece of candle-end, the former of whichit helped the hedgehog to eat. 

The mice, which lived in the old cigar-box--not white mice, nor thosefurry little sleepers given to hiding away in nooks and corners forelongated naps, but the regular grey cheese-nibblers--next, after a gooddeal of scratching, took Dexter's attention. As soon as the lid wasopen, and the boy's hand thrust in, they ran up his fingers, and thenalong his arm to his shoulder, wonderfully active and enterprising withtheir sharp little noses, one even venturing right up the boy's headafter a pause by one ear, as if it looked like the cavernous entrance tosome extremely snug hiding-place. 

"Quiet! Don't tickle, " cried Dexter, as he gently put up one hand forthe mouse to run upon; and every movement was made so gently that thelittle creatures were not alarmed, but rested gently upon the boy'shand, as he lifted them down to where he had placed some scraps ofcheese and a biscuit, all articles of provender being derived from thestores situated in his trousers-pockets, and that of his jacket. 

The list was not yet complete, for an old wire trap had been turned intoa cage, and here dwelt Dexter's greatest favourite--about theshabbiest-looking squirrel that ever exhibited bare patches upon itsskin, and a tail from which the plume-like hair had departed. 

It cost five shillings, all the same, at a little broker's shop down inthe most poverty-stricken part of Coleby. It had been bought by thebroker at a sale in company with a parrot, a cockatoo, and a canary, allbeing the property of a lady lately deceased. The canary died before hereached home, and the parrot and cockatoo, on the strength of being ableto screech and say a few words, soon found owners, but the squirrel, being shabby-looking, hung on hand, or rather outside the little shop, in a canary's cage, to which it had been promoted after its ownrevolving wire home had been sold, the purchaser declining to buy thesquirrel because he was so shabby. 

The poor little brute did not improve afterwards, for he rubbed the hairoff his face by constantly trying to get through either the seed orwater hole, and every time he--for the sake of exercise--whisked roundthe cage, it was to the disadvantage of his tail, which daily grew moreand more like that of Dexter's rat. 

This little unfortunate might have been bought for a shilling by such aboy as Bob Dimsted, but the superfine broadcloth of Dexter's jacket andtrousers sent it up to five, and pocket-money had to be saved for weeksbefore it finally came into the boy's possession, to be watched with thegreatest attention to see if its hair would grow. 

The squirrel's nose was thrust between the bars of the old wirerat-trap, and when this was not the case, the active little animalperformed a kind of evolution suggestive of its trying to make theletters SS in its prison, as skaters contrive them upon the ice, tillthe wire door was open, and with one bound it was upon its owner'sshoulder, then up in the rafters, along one beam and down another, tillthe first wild excitement of freedom was over, when it dropped upon thefloor, and began to forage for food. 

Dexter was so truly happy among his little subjects that he sat downupon the edge of an old box, forgetful of other claimants while heattended to the wants of these, calling them by endearing names, givingthe rabbits oats from his pockets, a handful of which grain came now andthen from Peter. 

The boy had intuitively discovered the way to tame his various pets. Fear will accomplish a great deal with dumb animals, but the real secretof winning their confidence is quietness, the art of never alarmingthem, but by perfectly passive behaviour, and the most gentle ofmovements, accustom the timid creatures to our presence. The rest wasmerely habituating them to the fact that their owner was the sole sourcefrom which food was to be obtained. 

No one told Dexter all this; he learned it in his solitary communingswith the animal world. For somehow it seems to be the law of naturethat every moving thing goes about in dread of losing its life fromsomething else which either preys upon or persecutes it. Thehouse-sparrow, the most domestic of wild birds, gives a look-out forsqualls between every peck, but it will soon learn to distinguish theperson who does not molest and who feeds it, even to coming at his call, while fish, those most cold-blooded of creatures, which in an ordinaryway go off like a silver flash at the sight of a shadow, will grow sofamiliar that they will rise to the surface and touch the whitefinger-tips placed level with the water. 

So Dexter sat smiling and almost without movement among his subjects, with the rabbits begging, the mice coming and going, now feeding and nowtaking a friendly walk up his legs and about his chest, and the squirrelbounding to him from time to time after nuts, which were carried up tothe beam overhead, and there rasped through with its keen teeth, the ratthe while watching it from the floor till furnished with another nut, asit had pounced upon one the squirrel dropped. 

There was yet another pet--one which had been very sluggish all throughthe winter, but now in fine sunshiny days fairly active, and ready uponthis occasion to come forth and be fed. 

Dexter rose very slowly, talking gently the while to the mice, which hecoaxed to his hand with a piece of cheese, and then placed them upon thefloor, while he went to a corner where, turned upside down upon a slate, stood one of Dan'l's large flower-pots, the hole being covered with apiece of perforated zinc. 

The pot was lifted, slate and all, turned over, and the slate liftedoff, to display quite a nest of damp moss, which, as the boy watched, seemed for a few minutes uninhabited, but all at once it began to heavein one part; there was an increasing movement, as if something wasgliding through it, and then from among the soft moss a smoothglistening head with two bright eyes appeared, and a curious littletongue darted out through an opening between the tightly-closed jaws. 

There was no doubt of the nature of the creature, which glided forthmore and more till it developed itself into a snake of a bright olivegreen, about thirty inches long, its singular markings and mottlingslooking as bright as if it had been varnished. 

Dexter watched the curious horizontal undulating movement of the littleserpent for some time before he touched it, and then taking it up verygently, its tail hung swinging to and fro, while the front portioncurved and undulated, and searched about for a place to rest till itfound one upon the boy's arm, up which it began to glide as if thewarmth were pleasant, ending by nestling its head in the hollow of theelbow-joint. 

Meanwhile there was another rustling and movement of the moss, butnothing showed for a time. 

Dexter smoothed and stroked the snake, which seemed to be perfectlycontent when it was moved, but soon after began to insinuate its bluntrounded head here and there, as if in search of something, till itsowner bore it to a large pickle-jar standing upon a beam nearly levelwith the floor, and upon his placing the reptile's head on a level withthe mouth, it glided in at once, inch by inch, over the side, andthrough Dexter's hands, till it disappeared, the finely-graduated tailpassing over the edge, and it was gone, the jar being its larder, inwhich were stored, ready for consumption, half a dozen of Dan'l'sgreatest enemies--the slugs. 

As Dexter turned to the heap of moss once more, at which one of therabbits was sniffing, there was another heaving movement, followed by asharp rap on the boards, the alarm signal of the rabbit which boundedaway, while a blunt, broad head and two glistening eyes slowly appeared;then what looked like a short sturdy arm with outstretched fingerspressed down the moss, then another arm began to work, and by slowdegrees a huge toad, which seemed to be as broad as it was long, extricated itself from the soft vegetable fibre, and crept away on tothe boards, all in the most deliberate manner, as if it was too fat tomove fast. 

"Hallo, Sam!" said Dexter, laughing. "Why, you've been asleep for amonth. "

The toad seemed to be looking up at him in an unblinking fashion, butdid not move, and Dexter stooped down to touch it, but the moment hishand approached, the reptile rose on its legs, arched its back, loweredits head, swelled itself up, and uttered a low, hissing sound. 

Dexter waited for a moment, and then softly began to scratch its side, the result evidently being so satisfactory to the toad that it began byleaning over toward the rubbing fingers, and then more and more, as ifthe sensation were agreeable in the extreme. 

A little coaxing then induced it to crawl slowly into its master's hand, which it more than filled, sitting there perfectly contented till it wasplaced in another pickle-jar to feed, this one being furnished withwood-lice, pill millipedes, and other luxuries dear to a toad. 

The striking of a clock roused Dexter from his communings with his pets, and hastily restoring them to their various habitations, he resumed hisjacket, and after a quick glance round descended the steps. 

"I couldn't take them with me, " he said sadly, as he stood for a fewminutes in the old dark stable; "and if I left them without setting themat liberty they would all die. "

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX. 

THE GROWING CLOUD. 

"Dexter, I want to talk to you, " said Helen, a few weeks later. The boysighed. 

"Ah! you are afraid I am going to scold you, " she said. 

"I don't mind you scolding me, " he replied; "but I don't think I havedone anything this time, except--"

"Except what?" said Helen, for the boy paused. 

"Except talk to Bob Dimsted. "

"Have you been out to meet him?"

"No, that I haven't, " cried Dexter. "He came to the bottom of the riverto fish, and he spoke to me; and if I had not answered, it would haveseemed so proud. "

Helen was silent for a few moments, not knowing what to say. 

"It was not about that, " she said, at last, "but about your lessons. Mr Limpney has again been complaining very bitterly to papa about yourwant of progress. "

"Yes, " said Dexter, "and he is always scolding me. "

"Then why don't you try harder?"

"I do, but I am so stupid. "

"You are not, Dexter. You always learn easily enough with me. "

"Yes, with you, " said the boy quickly, "but you don't want me to sayangle _ABC_ is equal to the angle _CBA_, and all such stuff as that. "

"Don't call it stuff, " said Helen, smiling in spite of herself; "it isGeometry. "

"But it is rum stuff all the same. What's the use of my learning aboutstraight lines and squares and angles?"

"But you are behind with your Algebra too. "

"Yes, " sighed Dexter, "I'm just as stupid over that. "

"Now, Dexter!"

"But I am, quite. Why can't I go on finding out things by Arithmetic, as we used at the schools? It was bother enough to learn that. Oh, what a lot of caning I had over nine times!"

"Over nine times!" said Helen. 

"Over a hundred, I should say, " cried Dexter. "I mean with strokes onthe hand, and taps on the head, and over the shoulders--counting 'emaltogether; and wasn't I glad when I knew it all, and twelve times too, and somebody else used to get it instead of me. "

"Dexter, papa wishes you to learn these things. "

"Do you?" said the boy. 

"Yes, very much. I should like to see you master them all. "

"Then I will. See if I don't, " he cried. 

"That's right. Try and please Mr Limpney by being energetic. "

"Yes, I'll try, " said Dexter; "but I don't think he'll be pleased. "

"I shall be. Now, get out your last lessons over which you failed sodismally, and I'll try and help you. "

"Will you?" cried the boy, in delighted tones, and he hurriedly obtainedhis folio, pens, and ink, feeling in such high spirits that if BobDimsted had been at hand to continue his temptations they would havebeen of no avail. 

The orange question was first debated, and tried in two or threedifferent ways without success. Then it was laid aside for the timebeing, while the stage-coaches were rolled out and started, one fromLondon to York, the other from York to London. 

"Look here, " said Dexter, "I'll try the one that starts from London, while you try the one from York. "

That was only another simple equation, but in its novelty to HelenGrayson, as difficult as if it had been quadratic, and for a time nosound was heard but the busy scratching of two pens. 

"It's of no good, " said Dexter suddenly, and with a look of despair uponhis face. "I'm so terribly stupid. "

"I'm afraid, Dexter, " said Helen merrily, "if you are stupid, I am too. "

"What! can't you do it!"

"No. "

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Dexter. Algebra is beyond me. "

"Hooray!" cried the boy, leaping from his seat, and dancing round theroom, ending by relieving his excitement by turning head over heels onthe hearthrug. 

"Is that to show your delight at my ignorance, Dexter?" said Helen, smiling. 

"No, " he cried, colouring up, as he stood before her out of breath. "Itwas because I was glad, because I was not so stupid as I thought. "

"You are not stupid, Dexter, " said Helen, smiling. "We must go back tothe beginning, and try and find out how to do these things. Does notMr Limpney explain them to you?"

"Yes, " said Dexter dismally, "but when he has done, I don't seem to seewhat he means, and it does make me so miserable. "

"Poor boy!" said Helen gently. "There, you must not make your studies atrouble. They ought to be a great pleasure. "

"They would be if you taught me, " said Dexter eagerly. "I say, do askDr Grayson to send Mr Limpney away, and you help me. I will try sohard. "

"A pretty tutor I should make, " cried Helen, laughing. "Why, Dexter, Iam as ignorant, you see, as you!"

Dexter's face was a study. He seemed hurt and pleased at the same time, and his face was full of reproach as he said--

"Ignorant as me! Oh!"

"There, I'll speak to papa about your lessons, and he will, I have nodoubt, say a few words to Mr Limpney about trying to make your taskseasier, and explaining them a little more. "

"Will you!" cried the boy excitedly, and he caught her hands in his. 

"Certainly I will, Dexter. "

"Then I will try so hard, and I'll write down on pieces of paper all thethings you don't want me to do, and carry 'em in my pockets, and takethem out and look at them sometimes. "

"What!" cried Helen, laughing. 

"Well, that's what Mr Limpney told me to do, so that I should notforget the things he taught me. Look here!"

He thrust his hand into his trousers-pocket, and brought out eagerly acrumpled-up piece of paper, but as he did so a number of oats flew outall over the room. 

"O Dexter! what a pocket! Now what could you do with oats?"

"They were only for my rabbits, " he said. "There, those are all nounsthat end in _us_, feminine nouns. Look, _tribus, acus, porticus_. Isn't it stupid?"

"It is the construction of the language, Dexter. "

"Yes; that's what Mr Limpney said. There, I shall put down everythingyou don't like me to do on a piece of paper that way; and take it outand read it, so as to remember it. "

"Try another way, Dexter. "

"How?" he said wonderingly. 

"By fixing these things in your heart, and not on paper, " Helen said, and she left the room. 

"Well, that's the way to learn them by heart, " said the boy to himselfthoughtfully, as with brow knit he seated himself by a table, took asheet of paper, and began diligently to write in a fairly neat hand, making entry after entry; and the principal of these was--

"Bob Dimsted: not to talk to him. "

The next day the doctor had a chat with Mr Limpney respecting Dexterand his progress. 

"You see, " said the doctor, "the boy has not had the advantages ladshave at good schools; and he feels these lessons to be extremelydifficult. Give him time. "

"Oh, certainly, Doctor Grayson, " said Mr Limpney. "I have only onewish, and that is to bring the boy on. He is behind to a terribleextent. "

"Yes, yes, of course, " said the doctor; "but make it as easy for him asyou can--for the present, you know. After a time he will be stronger inthe brain. "

Mr Limpney, BA, looked very stern. He was naturally a good-hearted, gentlemanly, and scholarly man. He thoroughly understood the subjectshe professed to teach. In fact, the ordinary routine of classic andmathematical study had, by long practice, grown so simple to him, thathe was accustomed to look with astonishment upon a boy who stumbled oversome of the learned blocks. 

In addition, year upon year of imparting knowledge to reckless andill-tempered as well as stupid boys had soured him, and, in consequence, the well-intentioned words of the doctor did not fall on ground ready toreceive them quite as it should. 

"Complaining about my way of teaching, I suppose, " he said to himself. "Well, we shall see. "

The result was that Mr Limpney allowed the littleness of his nature tocome uppermost, and he laboriously explained the most insignificantportions of the lessons in a sarcastic manner which made Dexter writhe, for he was not slow to find that the tutor was treating him withcontempt. 

To make matters worse, about that time Dan'l watched him more and more;Peter was unwell and very snappish; there was a little difficulty withMrs Millett over some very strong camomile-tea which Dexter did nottake; and on account of a broken soap-dish which Maria took it into herhead Dexter meant to lay to her charge, --that young lady refused even toanswer the boy when he spoke; lastly, the doctor seemed to be remarkablythoughtful and stern. Consequently Dexter began to mope in his den overthe old stable, and at times wished he was back at the Union Schools. 

The wish was momentary, but it left its impression, and the thoughtthat, with the exception of Helen, no one liked him at the doctor'shouse grew and grew and grew like the cloud that came out of thefisherman's pot when Solomon's seal was removed, and that cloudthreatened to become the evil genii that was to overshadow the boy'slife. 

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN. 

DEXTER WRITES A LETTER. 

Dexter watched his chance one afternoon when the study was empty, andstole in, looking very guilty. 

Maria saw him going in, and went into the kitchen and told Mrs Millett. 

"I don't care, " she said, "you may say what you like, but it's in him. "

"What's in him!" said the old housekeeper, raising her tortoise-shellspectacles so as to get a good look at Maria, who seemed quite excited. 

"Master may have tutors as is clergymen to teach him, and Miss Helen maytalk and try, but he's got it in him, and you can't get it out. "

"Who are you talking about, Maria, " said the old lady testily. 

"That boy, " said Maria, shaking her head. "It's of no good, he's got itin him, and nothing won't get it out. "

"Bless my heart!" cried Mrs Millett, thinking first of mustard andwater, and then of castor-oil, "has the poor fellow swallowedsomething?"

"No-o-o-o!" ejaculated Maria, drawing the word out to nearly a foot inlength. 

"But you said he'd got something in him, Maria. Good gracious me, girl!what do you mean!"

"Sin and wickedness, Mrs Millett. He comes of a bad lot, and Dan'lsays he's always keeping bad company. "

"Dan'l's a chattering old woman, and had better mind his slugs andsnails. "

"But the boy's always in mischief; see how he spoiled your silk dress. "

"Only spotted it, Maria, and it was clean water. I certainly thought itrained as I went under his window. "

"Yes, and you fetched your umbrella. "

"I did, Maria. But he's better now. Give him his physic regular, andit does him good. "

"Did you find out what was the matter with those salts and senny!"

"No, Maria, I did not. I had to break the glass to get it out; set hardas a stone. It was a good job he did not take it. "

Mrs Millett never did find out that Dexter had poured in cement tillthe glass would hold no more, and his medicine became a solid lump. 

"Ah, you'll be tired of him soon, " said Maria. 

"No, I don't think I shall, Maria. You see he's a boy, and he doesbehave better. Since I told him not, he hasn't taken my basting-spoonto melt lead for what he calls nickers; and then he hasn't repeated thatwicked cruel trick of sitting on the wall. "

"Why, I see him striddling the ridge of the old stable, with his back tothe weathercock, only yesterday. "

"Yes, Maria, but he wasn't fishing over the wall with worms to try andcatch Mrs Biggins's ducks, a very cruel trick which he promised me hewouldn't do any more; and he hasn't pretended to be a cat on the roof, nor yet been to me to extract needles which he had stuck through hischeeks out of mischief; and I haven't seen him let himself down from thestable roof with a rope; and, as I told him, that clothes-line wasn'trope. "

"Ah, you always sided with the boy, Mrs Millett, " said Maria; "but markmy words, some of these mornings we shall get up and find that he haslet burglars into the house, and Master and Miss Helen will be robbedand murdered in their beds. "

"Maria, you're a goose, " said the old housekeeper. "Don't talk suchrubbish. "

"Ah, you may call it rubbish, Mrs Millett, but if you'd seen that boyjust now stealing--"

"Stealing, Maria?"

"Yes 'm, stealing into Master's study like a thief in the night--andafter no good, I'll be bound, --you wouldn't be so ready to take hispart. "

"Gone in to write his lessons, " said Mrs Millett. "There, you go andget about your work. "

Maria snorted, stuck out her chin, and left the kitchen. 

"Yes, she may talk, but I say he's after no good, " muttered thehousemaid; "and I'm going to see what he's about, or my name ain't whatit is. "

Meanwhile Dexter was very busy in the study, but in a furtive waywriting the following letter in a bold, clear hand, which was, however, rather shaky in the loops of the letters, while the capitals had aninclination to be independent, and to hang away from the small lettersof the various words:--

Sir, Me and a friend have borrowed your boat, for we are going a longjourney; but as we may keep it all together, I send to you fourteenshillings and a fourpny piece, which I have saved up, and if that isn'tquite quite enough I shall send you some more. I hope you won't mindour taking your boat, but Bob Dimsted says we must have it, or we can'tget on. 

Yours af--very truly, Obed Coleby, or To Sir Jhames Danby, Dexter Grayson. 

Dexter's spelling was a little shaky here and there, but the letter waspretty intelligible; and, as soon as it was done, he took out his moneyand made a packet of it, and doubled it up, a task he had nearlyfinished, when he became aware that the door was partly opened, and ashe guiltily thrust the packet into his pocket the door opened widely, and Maria entered, with a sharp, short cough. 

"Did I leave my duster here, Master Dexter!" she said, looking roundsharply. 

Before Dexter could reply, she continued--

"No, I must have left it upstairs. "

She whisked out and closed the door with a bang, the very opposite ofthe way in which she had opened it, and said to herself triumphantly--

"There, I knew he was doing of something wrong, and if I don't find himout, my name ain't Maria. "

Dexter hurriedly finished his packet, laying the money in it again afterfurther consideration--in and out amongst the paper, so that the moneyshould not chink, and then placing it in the enclosure with the letter, he tied it up with a piece of the red tape the doctor kept in a littledrawer, sealed it, and directed it in his plainest hand to Sir JamesDanby. 

Dexter felt better after this was done, and the jacket-pocket a littlebulgy in which his missive was stuffed. He had previously felt a littleuneasy about the boat; but though not quite at rest now, he felt bettersatisfied, and as if this was a duty done. 

That same evening, just before it grew dusk, Dexter watched hisopportunity, and stole off down the garden, after making sure that hewas not watched. 

There was no one visible on the other side, and it seemed as if BobDimsted was not coming, so after waiting a few minutes Dexter was aboutto go back to the house, with the intention of visiting his pets, whenthere was a loud chirping whistle from across the river. 

Dexter looked sharply through the gathering gloom; but still no one wasvisible, and then the chirp came again. 

"Are you there, Bob?"

"Why, course I am, " said that young gentleman, rising up from where hehad lain flat behind a patch of coarse herbage. "I'm not the sort ofchap to stay away when I says I'll come. Nearly ready!"

"Ye-es, " said Dexter. 

"No gammon, you know, " said Bob. "I mean it, so no shirking out. "

"I mean to come too, " said Dexter with a sigh. 

"Well, you do sound jolly cheerful; you don't know what a game it'sgoing to be. "

"No, not quite--yet, " said Dexter. "But how are we going to manage!"

"Well, if ever!" exclaimed Bob. "You are a rum chap, and no mistake. Of course we shall take the boat, and I've got that table-cloth readyfor a sail, and a bit of rope to hoist it up. "

Dexter winced about that table-cloth, one which he had borrowed at Bob'swish from the housekeeper's room. 

"But must we take that boat?"

"Why, of course, but we shall send it back some day as good as new, hanging behind a ship, and then have it sent up the river. I know lotsof fellows who'll put it back for me if I ask 'em. "

Dexter felt a little better satisfied, and then listened to hiscompanion's plans, which were very simple, but effective all the same, though common honesty did not come in. 

The conversation was carried on across the river, and to ensure its notbeing heard, Dexter lay down on the grass and put his lips close to thewater, Bob Dimsted doing the same, when, it being quite a still evening, conversation became easy. 

"What are your people doing now?" said Bob, after they had been talkingsome time. 

"Dr Grayson is writing, and Miss Grayson reading. "

"Why, we might go now--easy. "

"No, " said Dexter. "If we did, it would be found out directly, and weshould be fetched back, and then, I dare say, they'd send me again tothe school. "

"And yer don't want to go there again, do you!"

"No, " said Dexter, with a shudder. "Don't forget the ball of string Itold you about?"

"No, I've got that, " replied Bob sharply. "And p'r'aps that won't belong enough. It's very deep in the sea. Now mind, you're here. "

"Yes, I'll mind. "

"If yer don't come, I won't never forgive you for making a fool of me. "

"I won't do that, " said Dexter; and then after a little more hesitationas to something he particularly wanted to do, and which he saw no otherway of doing, he whispered--

"Bob!"

"Hullo!"

"Will you do something for me before you come!"

"Yes, if I can. But I say, don't you forget to bring a big bundle ofyour clothes and things, and if you don't want 'em all, I can wear someof 'em. "

Dexter was silent. 

"And as much money as you can; and, I say, the old un never give you awatch, did he?"

"No. "

"You wouldn't like to borrow his, would you!"

"No, of course not, " said Dexter indignantly. 

"Oh, I don't want you to, unless you like. Only watches is useful atsea. Sailors find out where they are by their watches. I don't quiteknow how, but we could soon find out. Whatcher want me to do!"

"I want you to take a little parcel to Sir James Danby's. "

"I ain't going to carry no parcels, " said Bob importantly. 

"It's only a very little one, as big as your hand. You know theletter-box in Sir James's big door!"

"I should just think I do, " said Bob, with a hoarse laugh. "Me and twomore boys put a lighted cracker in last fift' o' November. "

"I want you to go there last thing, " said Dexter, as he could not helpwondering whether the cracker made a great deal of noise in theletter-box; "and to drop the packet in just as if it was a letter. Imean just before you come. "

"But what for?"

"Because it must be taken there. I want it taken. "

"O very well. Where is it?"

"Here, " said Dexter, taking out his carefully tied and sealed packet. 

"Chuck it across. "

"Get up, then, and be ready to catch it. "

"All right! Now then, shy away. "

Dexter drew back from the river, and aiming carefully at where he couldsee Bob's dim figure, he measured the distance with his eye, and threw. 

_Slap_!

"Got it!" cried Bob. And then, "Oh!"

There was a splash. 

"Just kitched on the top o' my finger, and bounced off, " whispered theboy excitedly. 

"O Bob, what have you done!"

"Well, I couldn't help it. I ain't a howl. --How could I see in thedark!"

"Can't you see where it fell in!"

"Why, ain't I a-trying. Don't be in such a fuss. "

Dexter felt as if their expedition was at an end, and he stood listeningwith a breast full of despair as Bob lay down at the edge of the river, and rolling up his sleeve began feeling about in the shallow water. 

"It's no good, " he said. "It's gone. "

"O Bob!"

"Well, what's the good of `O Bobbing' a fellow? I couldn't help it. It's gone, and--Here: I got it!"

Bob rose up and gave his arm a whirl to drive off some of the moisture. 

"It's all right, " he said. "I'll wrap it in my hankychy, and it'll soondry in my pocket, I say, what's inside?"

"Something for Sir James. "

"Oh! S'pose you don't know!"

"Is the paper undone?" said Dexter anxiously. 

"No, it's all right, I tell yer, and it'll soon get dry. "

"And you'll be sure and take it to Sir James's. "

"Now?"

"No, no, last thing to-night, just before you come, and don't ring, onlydrop the thing in the letter-box. "

"All right. Didn't I get my arm wet! There, I'm going home to get itdry, and put the rest of my things ready. Mind you bring yours allright. "

Dexter did not answer, but his companion's words made him feel verylow-spirited, for he had a good deal in his mind, and he stood listeningto Bob, as that young worthy went off, whistling softly, to make hisfinal preparations for the journey down the river to sea, and then toforeign lands, and the attempt seemed now to begin growing very rapidly, till it was like a dense dark cloud rising higher and higher, andsomething seemed to keep asking the boy whether he was doing right. 

He felt that he was not, but, at the same time, the idea that he wasthoroughly misunderstood, and that he would never be happy at thedoctor's, came back as strongly as ever. 

"They all look upon me as a workhouse boy, " he muttered, "and Bob'sright. I'd better go away. "

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT. 

PREPARATIONS FOR FLIGHT. 

Dexter listened till Bob Dimsted's whistle died away, and then stolefrom the place of appointment to go back to the house, where he struckoff to the left, and made his way into the loft, where he took a smallpiece of candle from his pocket, lit it, and set it in an oldginger-beer bottle. 

The light roused the various occupants of the boxes and cages. That andthe step were suggestive of food, and sundry squeakings and scratchingsarose, with, from time to time, a loud rap on the floor given by one ofthe rabbits. 

There was a lonely desolate feeling in Dexter's breast as he set the ratat liberty, for the furtive-looking creature to hurry beneath the boardswhich formed the rough floor. 

Then the mice were taken out of their box, and the first movement of thelittle creatures was to run all over their master, but he hurriedly tookthem off him, feeling more miserable than ever, and ready to repent ofthe step he was about to take. 

The rabbits were carried downstairs, and turned out into the yard, Dexter having a belief that as they had once grown tame perhaps, manygenerations back, they might now as easily grow wild, and if in theprocess they made very free with old Dan'l's vegetables, until theyescaped elsewhere, it would not be very serious. 

As it was, they crept here and there over the stones for a few moments, and then went off investigating, and evidently puzzled by their freedom. 

The hedgehog and squirrel were brought down together, and carried rightinto the garden, where the former was placed upon one of theflower-beds, and disappeared at once; the latter held up to a branch ofthe ornamental spruce, into which it ran, and then there was a scufflingnoise, and Dexter ran away back to the stable, afraid to stop, lest thelittle ragged jacketed animal should leap back upon him, and make himmore weak than he was. 

He climbed again to the loft, hearing a series of tiny squeaks as hemounted--squeaks emanating from his mice, and directly after he nearlycrushed the rat, by stepping upon it as the little animal ran up to befed. 

He had come for the toad and snake, and hurriedly plunging his hand intothe big pot he found Sam the toad, seated right at the top, evidentlyeager to start on a nocturnal ramble, but the snake was coiled upasleep. 

It was a curious pet, that toad, but somehow, as it sat nestled up allof a squat in the boy's warm hand, he felt as if he should like to takeit with him. It was not big, and would take up little room, and costnothing to feed. 

Why not?

He hesitated as he descended and crossed the yard to the garden, anddecided that he would not. Bob Dimsted might not like it. 

He reached the garden, and crossed the lawn to the sunny verbena bed. That seemed a suitable place for the snake, and he tenderly placed it, writhing feebly, among the thin pegged-down strands. 

Then came the other reptile's turn. 

They had been friends and even companions together in the bigflower-pot, Dexter argued, so they should have the chance of beingfriends again in the flower-bed. 

The toad was in his left hand, and going down on one knee he separatedthe verbenas a little, and then placed his hand, knuckles downward, onthe soft moist earth, opening his fingers slowly the while. 

"Good-bye, Sam, " he said, in a low voice. "You and I have had some goodfun together, old chap, and I hope you will be very happy when I'mgone. "

He slowly spread his hand flat, so that his fingers and thumb ceased toform so many posts and rails about the reptile, or a fleshly cage. Inimagination he saw the dusky grey creature crawl off his hand gladlyinto the dewy bed, and it made him more sad to find how ready everythingwas to be free, and he never for a moment thought about how he was goingto play as ungrateful a part, and march off too. 

"Good-bye, Sam, " he said, as he recalled how he had played with andtickled that toad, and how it had enjoyed it all, and turned over to berubbed. Then he seemed to see it walk in its heavy, cumbrous way slowlyoff, with its bright golden eyes glistening, till it sat down in ahollow, and watched him go. 

But it was all fancy. The toad did not crawl out of his hand among theverbenas, nor go right away, but sat perfectly motionless where it was, evidently, from its acting, perfectly warm, comfortable, and contented. 

"Well, Sam, why don't you go!" said Dexter softly. "Do you hear?"

He gave his hand a jar by striking the back on the earth, but the toaddid not move, and when he touched it with his right hand, it was to findthe fat squat reptile squeezed up together like a bun. 

He stroked it, and rubbed it, as he had rubbed it scores of timesbefore, and the creature once more pressed up against his fingers, whileDexter forgot everything else in the gratification of finding his uglypet appreciate his attentions. 

"Now then! off you go!" he cried quickly; but the creature did not stir. 

"Are you going?" said Dexter. "Come: march. "

Again it did not stir. 

"He don't want to go, " cried the boy, changing it from, one hand to theother; and the next moment he was holding it, nose downward, over hisjacket-pocket, when the toad, pretty actively for one of its kind, beganto work its legs and dived slowly down beneath the pocket-handkerchiefcrumpled-up there, and settled itself at the bottom. 

"It seems to know, " cried Dexter. "And it shall go with me after all. "

Curious boy! some one may say, but Dexter had had few opportunities forturning his affections in ordinary directions, and hence it was thatthey were lavished upon a toad. 

Indoors, when he stole back after setting all his pets at liberty toshift for themselves, Dexter felt very guilty. He encountered MrsMillett in the hall, and a thrill ran through him as she exclaimed--

"Ah, there you are, Master Dexter, I just want a few words with you. "

"Found out!" thought the guilty conscience, which needs no accuser. 

"Now just you look here, sir, " said the old housekeeper, in a loudvoice, as she literally button-holed the boy, by hooking one thin fingerin his jacket, so that he could not get away, "I know all. "

"You--you know everything, " faltered the boy. 

"Yes, sir. Ah, you may well look 'mure. You little thought I knew. "

"How--how did you find out?" he stammered. 

"Ah! how did I find out, indeed! Now, look here, am I to go straight tothe doctor and tell him!"

"No, no, pray don't, " whispered Dexter, catching her arm. 

"Well, then, I must tell Miss Helen. "

"No, no, not this time, " cried Dexter imploringly; and his tone softenedthe old lady, who shook the borders of her cap at him. 

"Well, I don't know what to say, " said Mrs Millett softly. "Theycertainly ought to know. "

Dexter gazed at her wildly. He knew that everything must come out, butit was to have been in a few hours' time, when he was far away, and deafto the angry words and reproaches. To hear them now seemed more than hecould bear. It could not be. Bob Dimsted must think and say what heliked, and be as angry and unforgiving as was possible. It could not benow. He must plead to the old housekeeper for pardon, and give up allidea of going away. 

"Ah!" she said. "I see you are sorry for it, then. "

"Yes, yes, " he whispered. "So sorry, and--and--"

"You'll take it this time, like a good boy!"

"Take it?"

"Yes, sir. Ah! you can't deceive me. Last time I saw the empty glass Iknew as well as could be that you hadn't taken it, for the outside ofthe glass wasn't sticky, and there were no marks of your mouth at theedge. I always put plenty of sugar in it for you, and that showed. "

"The camomile-tea!" thought Dexter, a dose of which the old ladyexpected him to take about once a week, and which never did him anyharm, if it never did him any good. 

"And you'll take it to-night, sir, like a good boy!"

"Yes, yes, I will indeed, " said Dexter, with the full intention ofkeeping his word out of gratitude for his escape. 

"Now, that's like being a good boy, " said the old lady, smiling, andextricating her fingers from his button-hole, so as to stroke his hair. "It will do you no end of good; and how you have improved since you havebeen here, my dear, your hair's grown so nicely, and you've got such agood pink colour in your cheeks. It's the camomile-tea done that. "

Mrs Millett leaned forward with her hands on the boy's shoulder, andkissed him in so motherly a way that Dexter felt a catching of thebreath, and kissed her again. 

"That's right, " said the old lady. "You ain't half so bad as Mariapretends you are. `It's only a bit of mischief now and then, ' I says toher, `and he's only a boy, ' and that's what you are, ain't it, my dear?"

Dexter did not answer. 

"I shall put your dose on your washstand, and you mind and take it themoment you get out of bed to-morrow morning. "

"Yes, " said Dexter dismally. 

"No! you'll forget it. You've got to take that camomile-tea to-night, and if you don't promise me you will, I shall come and see you take it. "

"I promise you, " said Dexter, and the old lady nodded and went upstairs, while the boy hung about in the hall. 

How was it that just now, when he was going away, people were beginningto seem more kind to him, and something began to drag at his heart tokeep him from going?

He could not tell. An hour before he had felt a wild kind of elation. He was going to be free from lessons, the doctor's admonitions, and thetame regular life at the house, to be off in search of adventure, andwith Bob for his companion, going all over the world in that boat, whilenow, in spite of all he could do, he did not feel so satisfied and sure. 

There was something else he knew that he ought to do. He could not bidHelen good-bye with his lips, but he felt that he must bid her farewellanother way, for she had always been kind to him from the day he came. 

He crept into the study again, this time without being seen. 

There was a faint light in the pleasant room, for the doctor's lamp hadbeen turned down, but not quite out. 

A touch sent the flame brightly round the ring, and the shade cast awarm glow on the boy's busy fingers as he took out paper and envelope;and then, with trembling hand, sore heart, and a pen that spluttered, heindited another letter, this time to Helen. 

 My dear Miss Grayson, I am afraid you will think me a very ungrateful boy, but I am obliged to go away to seek my fortune all over the world. You have been so kind to me, and so has Doctor Grayson sometimes, but everybody else has hated me, and made game of me because I was a workhouse boy, and I could not bear it any longer, and Bob Dimsted said he wouldn't if he was me, and we are going away together not to come back again any more. --I am, Your Affec Friend. 

 Dexter Grayson. 

 _PS_--I mean Obed Coleby, for I ought not to call myself Dexter any more, and I would have scratched it out, only you always said it was better not to scratch out mistakes because they made the paper look so untidy. 

 I like you very much, and Mrs Millett too, but I can't take her fiz-- physick to-night. 

 Is physick spelt with a k?

There was a tear--a weak tear in each of Dexter's eyes as he wrote thisletter, for it brought up many a pleasant recollection of kindnesses onHelen's part. 

He had just finished, folded and directed this, when he fancied he hearda door open across the hall. 

Thrusting the note into his pocket so hastily that one corner went intothe toad, he caught up a piece of the doctor's foolscap, and beganrapidly to make a triangle upon it, at whose sides and points he placedletters, and then, feeling like the miserable impostor he was, herapidly let his pen trace a confused line of _A's_ and _B's_ and _C's_, and these backwards and forwards. 

This went on for some minutes, so that there was a fair show upon thepaper, when the door softly opened, Helen peered in, and then comingbehind him bent down, and, in a very gentle and sisterly way, placed herhands over his eyes. 

"Why, my poor hard-working boy, " she said gently. "So this is where youare; and, oh dear, oh dear! Euclid again. That Mr Limpney will wearyour brains all away. There, come along, I am going to play to papa, and then you and I will have a game at draughts. "

Dexter rose with his heart beating, and that strange sensation ofsomething tugging at his conscience. Why were they all so kind to himto-night, just when he was going away?

"Why, you look quite worn out and dazed, Dexter, " said Helen merrily. "There, come along. "

"Eh? Where was he? In mischief?" said the doctor sharply, as theyentered the drawing-room. 

"Mischief? No, papa: for shame!" cried Helen, with her arm resting onthe boy's shoulders. "In your study, working away at those terriblesides and angles invented by that dreadful old Greek Euclid. "

"Work, eh? Ha! that's good!" cried the doctor jovially. "Bravo, Dexter! I am glad. "

If ever a boy felt utterly ashamed of himself, Dexter did then. Hecould not meet the doctor's eye, but was on his way to get a book toturn over, so as to have something to look at, but this was not to be. 

"No, no, you have had enough of books for one day, Dexter. Come andturn over the music for me. Why! what's that?"

"That?" said Dexter slowly, for he did not comprehend. 

"Yes, I felt it move. You have something alive in your pocket. "

He felt prompted to lie, but he could not tell a falsehood then, and hestood with his teeth set. 

"Whatever have you got alive in your pocket?" said the doctor. "I know. A young rabbit, for a guinea. "

"Is it?" cried Helen. "Let me look: they are such pretty littlethings. "

"Yes, out with it, boy, and don't pet those things too much. Kill themwith kindness, you know. Here, let me take it out. "

"No, no!" cried Dexter hastily. 

"Well, take it out yourself. "

A spasm of dread had run through the boy, as in imagination he saw thedoctor's hand taking out the letter in his pocket. 

"It isn't a young rabbit, " he faltered. 

"Well, what is it, then? Come, out with it. "

Dexter hesitated for a few moments, and now met the doctor's eye. Hecould not help himself, but slowly took out his pocket-handkerchief, ashe held the note firmly with his left hand outside the jacket. Then, diving in again, he got well hold of Sam, who was snug at the bottom, and, with burning cheeks, and in full expectation of a scolding, drewthe toad slowly forth. 

"Ugh!" ejaculated Helen. 

The doctor, who was in a most amiable temper, burst into a roar oflaughter. 

"Well, you are a strange boy, Dexter, " he said, as he wiped his eyes. "You ought to be a naturalist by and by. There, open the window, andput the poor thing outside. You can find plenty another time. "

Dexter obeyed, glad to be out of his quandary, and this time, as he putSam down, the reptile crawled slowly away into the soft dark night. 

He closed the window, and went back to find the doctor and Helen allsmiles, and ready to joke instead of scold. Then he went to the piano, and turned over the music, the airs and songs making him feel more andmore sad, and again and again he found himself saying--

"Why are they so kind to me now, just as I am going away?"

"Shall I stop!" he said to himself, after a time. 

"No: I promised Bob I would come, and so I will. "

CHAPTER TWENTY NINE. 

AN ACT OF FOLLY. 

Bedtime at last, and as Dexter bade the doctor and his daughter"good-night, " it seemed to him that they had never spoken so kindly tohim, and the place had never appeared to be so pleasant and homelikebefore. 

His heart sank as he went up to his room, and he felt as if he could notgo away. The lessons Mr Limpney had given him to write out were notdone; but he had better stop and face him, and every other trouble, including the window he had broken, and never owned to yet. 

It was impossible to go away and leave everybody who was so kind. Aharsh word would have kept him to the point; but now he wavered as hesat down on the edge of his bed, with his mind in a whirl. 

Then, as he sat there, he pictured in his own mind the figure of BobDimsted, waiting for him, laden with articles of outfit necessary fortheir voyage, and behind Bob loomed up bright sunny scenes by sea andland; and with his imagination once more excited by all that the boy hadsuggested, Dexter blinded himself to everything but the object he had inview. 

He had planned in his own mind what he would take with him, but now ithad come to the point he felt a strange compunction. Everything hepossessed seemed to him as if it belonged to the doctor, and, finally, he resolved to take nothing with him but the clothes in which he stood. 

He began walking about the room in a listless way, looking about at thevarious familiar objects that he was to see no more, and one of thefirst things to strike him was a teacup on the washstand, containingMrs Millett's infusion, bitter, nauseous, and sweetened to sickliness;and it struck Dexter that the mixture had been placed in a cup insteadof a glass, so as to make it less objectionable in appearance. 

He could not help smiling as he took up the cup and smelt it, seeing atthe same time the old dame's pleasant earnest face--a face that suddenlyseemed to have become very loving, now he was to see it no more. 

He set down the cup, and shook his head, and then, as if nerving himselffor the task, he went to the drawers, took out a key from his pocket, and then, from the place where it lay, hidden beneath his clean linen, brought forth the old clothes-line twisted and knotted together--theline which had done duty in the loft as a swing. 

He listened as he crossed to the door, but all was still downstairs, andit was not likely that any one would come near his room that night; butstill he moved about cautiously, and taking the line with his hands, about two feet apart, snapped it again and again with all his might, totry if it was likely to give way now beneath his weight. 

It seemed firm as ever, but he could not help a shiver as he laid it bythe window, and thought of a boy being found in the shrubbery beneath, with a broken leg, or, worse still, neck. 

Then as he waited for the time to glide by, so that all might be in bedbefore he made his escape, a sudden chill ran through him. 

He had remembered everything, as he thought; and yet there was onething, perhaps the simplest of all, forgotten. He was going to take nobundle, no money, nothing which the doctor had in his kindness providedfor him; but he could not go without a cap, and that was hanging in thehall, close to the drawing-room door. 

The question arose whether he should venture down to get it now, orafter the doctor had gone to bed. 

It took him some time to make up his mind; but when he had come to adecision he opened his door softly, listened, and stole out on to thelanding. 

All was very still as he looked over the balustrade to where the lampshed its yellow rays all round, and to his mind more strangely upon theobject he wanted to obtain than elsewhere. 

It was a very simple thing to do, and yet it required a great deal ofnerve, for if the drawing-room door were opened just as he reached thehat-stand, and the doctor came out, what should he say?

Then there was the risk of being heard, for there were, he knew, two ofthe old oaken stairs which always gave a loud crack when any one passeddown, and if they cracked now, some one would be sure to come out to seewhat it meant. 

Taking a long catching breath he went quickly to the top of the stairs, and was about to descend in a desperate determination to go through withhis task, when an idea struck him, and bending over the balustrade hespread his hands, balanced himself carefully, and then slid down themahogany rail, round curve after curve as silently as could be, andreaching the curl at the bottom dropped upon the mat. 

Only five or six yards now to the hat-stand, and going on tiptoe pastthe entrance to the drawing-room, he was in the act of taking down thecap, when the handle rattled, the door was thrown open, and the hallgrew more light. 

In his desperation Dexter snatched down the cap, and stood there tryingto think of what he should say in answer to the question that would beasked in a moment--

"What are you doing there!"

It was Helen, chamber-candlestick in hand, and she was in the act ofstepping out, when her step was arrested by words which seemed to pierceinto the listener's brain:--

"Oh, about Dexter!"

"Yes, papa, " said Helen, turning. 

"What do you think about--"

Dexter heard no more. Taking advantage of Helen's back being turned asshe bent over towards the speaker, the boy stepped quickly to thestaircase, ran up, and had reached the first landing before Helen cameout into the hall, while before she had closed the door he was upanother flight, and gliding softly toward his own room, where he stoodpanting as he closed the door, just as if he had been running a distancewhich had taken away his breath. 

It was a narrow escape, and he was safe; but his ears tingled still, andhe longed to know what the doctor had said about him. 

As he stood listening, cap in hand, he heard Helen pass his door singingsoftly one of the ballads he had heard that evening; and once more acurious dull sensation of misery came over him, as he seemed to feelthat he would never hear her sing again, never feel the touch of hersoft caressing hand; and somehow there was a vague confused sense oflonging to go to one who had treated him with an affectionate interesthe had never known before, even now hardly understood, but it seemed tohim such gentleness and love as might have come from a mother. 

For a moment or two he felt that he must open the door, call to her, throw himself upon his knees before her, and confess everything, but atthat moment the laughing, mocking face of Bob Dimsted seemed to risebetween them, and his words buzzed in his ear--words that he had oftensaid when listening to some account of Dexter's troubles--

"Bother the old lessons, and all on 'em! I wouldn't stand it if I wasyou. They've no right to order you about, and scold you as they do. "

The weak moments passed, and just then there was the doctor's coughheard, and the closing of his door, while directly after came thechiming of the church clock--a quarter past eleven. 

Half an hour to wait and think, and then good-bye to all his troubles, and the beginning of a new life of freedom!

All the freedom and the future seemed to be behind a black cloud; but inthe fond belief that all would soon grow clear Dexter waited. 

Half-past eleven, and he wondered that he did not feel sleepy. 

It was time to begin though now, and he took the line and laid it out ina serpentine fashion upon the carpet, so that there should be no kinksin the way; and then the next thing was to fasten one end tightly sothat he could safely slide down. 

He had well thought out his plans, and, taking one end of the line, heknotted it securely to the most substantial place he could find in theroom, passing it behind two of the bars of the grate. Then cautiouslyopening his window, a little bit at a time, he thrust it higher andhigher, every faint creak sending a chill through him, while, when helooked out upon the dark starlight night, it seemed as if he would haveto descend into a black gulf, where something blacker was waiting toseize him. 

But he knew that the black things below were only great shrubs, andlowering the rope softly down he at last had the satisfaction of hearingit rustle among the leaves. 

Then he waited, and after a glance round to see that everything wasstraight, and the letter laid ready upon the table, he put out thecandle. 

"For the last time!" he said to himself, and a great sigh came unbiddenfrom his breast. 

A quarter to twelve. 

Dexter waited till the last stroke on the bell was thrilling in the airbefore setting his cap on tightly, and passing one leg over the sill. 

He sat astride for a few moments, hesitating for the last time, and thenpassed the other leg, and lowered himself down till he hung by hishands, then twisted his legs about the rope, seized it with first onehand then the other, and hung by it with his whole weight, in theprecarious position of one trusting to an old doubled clothes-line, suspended from a second-floor window. 

It was hard work that descent, for he could not slide on account of theknots; and, to make his position more awkward, the rope began tountwist--one line from the other, --and, in consequence, as the boydescended slowly, he bore no small resemblance to a leg of muttonturning before a fire. 

That was the only mishap which occurred to him then, for after restingfor a few moments upon the first-floor sill he continued his journey, and reached the bottom in the midst of a great laurel, which rustledloudly as he tried to get out, and then tripped over a horizontalbranch, and fell flat. 

He was up again in an instant, and, trembling and panting, made a coupleof bounds which took him over the gravel walk and on to the lawn, wherehe stood panting and listening. 

There was a light in the doctor's room, and one in Helen's; and justthen the doctor's shadow, looking horribly threatening, was thrown uponthe blind. 

He must be coming, Dexter thought, and, turning quickly, he sped downthe lawn, avoiding the flower-beds by instinct, and the next minute hadreached the kitchen-garden, down whose winding green walk he rapidlymade his way. 

CHAPTER THIRTY. 

DARK DEEDS. 

It was very dark among the trees as Dexter reached the grass plot whichsloped to the willows by the river-side, but he knew his way so wellthat he crept along in silence till he had one hand resting upon thetrunk he had so often climbed, and stood there gazing across the starlitwater, trying to make out the figure of his companion in the boat. 

All was silent, save that, now and then, the water as it ran among thetree-roots made a peculiar whispering sound, and once or twice there wasa faint plash in the distance, as if from the feeding of a fish. 

"Hist! Bob! Are you there!"

"Hullo!" came from the other side. "I was just a-going. "

"Going?"

"Yes. I thought you wasn't a-coming, and I wasn't going to stop hereall night. "

"But you said twelve. "

"Well, it struck twelve an hour ago. "

"No; that was eleven. There--hark!"

As proof of Dexter's assertion the church clock just then began tochime, and the heavy boom of the tenor bell proclaiming midnight seemedto make the soft night air throb. 

"Thought it was twelve long enough ago. Ready!"

"Yes, " said Dexter, in an excited whisper. "Got the boat?"

"No: course I haven't. It'll take two to get that boat. "

"But you said you would have it ready. "

"Yes, I know; but we must both of us do that. I waited till you come. "

This was a shock; and Dexter said, in a disappointed tone--

"But how am I to get to you!"

"Come across, " said Bob coolly. 

"Come across--in the dark!"

"Why, of course. You ain't afraid, are you? Well, you are a chap!"

"But it's too deep to wade. "

"Well, who said it wasn't!" growled the boy. "You can swim, can't you?"

"But I shall get so wet. "

"Yah!" ejaculated Bob in tones of disgust. "You are a fellow. Takeyour clothes off, make 'em in a bundle, and swim over. "

Dexter was half-disposed to say, "You swim across to me, " but nothingwould have been gained if he had, so, after a few minutes' hesitation, and in genuine dread, he obeyed the wishes of his companion, but only topause when he was half-undressed. 

"I say, though, " he whispered, "can't you get the boat? It's so coldand dark. "

"Well, you are a fellow!" cried Bob. "Beginning to grumble afore westart. It's no use to have a mate who's afraid of a drop of water, anddon't like to get wet. "

"But--"

"There, never mind, " grumbled Bob; "we won't go. "

"But I didn't say I wouldn't come, Bob, " whispered Dexter desperately. "I'll come. "

There was no answer. 

"Bob. " Still silence. 

"I say, don't go, Bob. I'm very sorry. I'm undressing as fast as Ican. You haven't gone, have you?"

Still silence, and Dexter ceased undressing, and stood there in the coldnight air, feeling as desolate, despairing, and forlorn as boy could be. 

"What shall I do?" he said to himself; and then, in a despondentwhisper, "Bob!"

"Hullo!"

"Why, you haven't gone!" joyfully. 

"No; but I'm going directly. It's no use for me to have a mate whohasn't got any pluck. Now then, are you coming, or are you not!"

"I'm coming, " said Dexter. "But stop a moment. I'll be back directly. "

"Whatcher going to do!"

"Wait a moment and I'll show you. "

Dexter had had a happy thought, and turning and running in his trousersto the tool-shed, he dragged out a small deal box in which seeds hadcome down from London that spring. It was a well-made tight box, andquite light, and with this he ran back. 

"Why, what are you doing?" grumbled Bob, as soon as he heard hiscompanion's voice. 

"Been getting something to put my clothes in, " whispered Dexter. "Idon't want to get them wet. "

"Oh, " said Bob, in a most unconcerned way; and he began to whistlesoftly, as Dexter finished undressing, tucked all his clothes tightly inthe box, and bore it down to the water's edge, where it floated like alittle boat. 

"There!" cried Dexter excitedly. "Now they'll be all dry when I've gotacross. Ugh! how cold the water is, " he continued, as he dipped onefoot. "I wish I'd brought a towel. "

"Yah! what does a fellow want with a towel? You soon gets dry if yourun about. Going to walk across!"

"I can't, " said Dexter; "it's too deep. "

"Well, then, swim. I could swim that with one hand tied behind. "

"I couldn't, " said Dexter, hesitating, for it was no pleasant task toplunge into the little gliding river at midnight, and with all darkaround. 

"Now then! Look alive! Don't make a splash. "

"Oh!"

"What's the matter?"

"It is cold. "

"Yah! Then, get back to bed with you, and let me go alone. "

"I'm coming as fast as I can, " said Dexter, as he lowered himself intothe stream, and then rapidly climbed out again, as the cold water causeda sudden catching of the breath; and a nervous shrinking from trustinghimself in the dark river made him draw right away from the edge. 

"Why, you ain't swimming, " said Bob. "Here, look sharp! Why, you ain'tin!"

"N-no, not yet, " said Dexter, shivering. 

"There's a coward!" sneered Bob. 

"I'm not a coward, but it seems so dark and horrible to-night, and as ifsomething might lay hold of you. "

"Yes, you are a regular coward, " sneered Bob. "There, jump in, or I'llshy stones at yer till you do. "

Dexter did not speak, but tumbled all of a heap on the short turf, shrinking more and more from his task. 

"I shall have to go without you, " said Bob. 

"I can't help it, " said Dexter, in a low, tremulous whisper. "It's toohorrid to get in there and swim across in the dark. "

"No, it ain't. I'd do it in a minute. There, jump in. "

"No, " said Dexter sadly. "I must give it up. "

"What, yer won't do it!"

"I can't, " said Dexter sadly. "We must try some other way. I'm goingto dress again. Oh!"

"What's the matter now!"

"My clothes!" _Splash_! _Rush_!

Dexter had rapidly lowered himself into the black deep stream and wasswimming hard and fast, for as he rose and sought for his garments hesuddenly recalled the fact that he had turned the box into a tiny barge, laden it with his clothes, and placed them in the river, while now, ashe went to take them out, he found that the stream had borne the boxaway, and it was going down toward the sea. 

"Try if you can see them, Bob, " said Dexter, as he panted and struggledon through the water. 

"See what?"

"My clothes. They're floating down the river. "

Bob uttered a low chuckling laugh, and trotted along by the edge of theriver; but it was too dark for him to see anything, and Dexter, forgetting cold and dread, swam bravely on, looking well to right andleft, without avail, till all at once, just in one of the deepesteddies, some fifty yards down below the doctor's house, and where anunusually large willow spread its arms over the stream, he caught sightof something which blotted out the starlight for a moment, and then thestars' reflection beamed out again. 

Something was evidently floating there, and he made for it, to find tohis great joy that it was the floating box, which he pushed before himas he swam, and a couple of minutes later he was near enough to the edgeon the meadow-side to ask Bob's help. 

"Ain't got 'em, have you?" the latter whispered. 

"Yes; all right. I'll come out there. Give me a hand. "

Dexter swam to the muddy overhanging bank, and seized the hand which Bobextended toward him. 

"Now then, shall I duck yer!" said Bob, who had lain down on the wetgrass to extend his hand to the swimmer. 

"No, no, Bob, don't. That would be cowardly, " cried Dexter. "Help meto get out my clothes without letting in the wet. It is so cold. "

"But you swam over, " said Bob sneeringly. 

"Yes; but you don't know how chilly it makes you feel. Mind theclothes. "

Bob did mind, and the next minute Dexter and the barge of dry clotheswere upon the grass together. 

"Oh, isn't it cold?" said Dexter, with his teeth chattering. 

"Cold? no. Not a bit, " said Bob. "Here, whatcher going to do!"

"Do? Dress myself. Here, give me my shirt. Oh, don't I wish I had atowel!"

"You leave them things alone, stoopid. You can't dress yet. "

"Not dress!"

"No, " cried Bob loudly. 

"What do you mean!"

"You come along and I'll show yer. Why, we haven't got the boat. "

"No, but--"

"Well, you're all ready, and you've got to swim across and get it. "

"I've got to get it!" cried Dexter in dismay. "Why, you said you wouldget the boat. "

"Yes, but I didn't know then that you were going to swim across. "

"But you said it would take two to get it, " protested Dexter. 

"Yes, I thought so then, but you're all ready and can swim across, andget it directly. Here, come along!"

"But--but, " stammered Dexter, who was shivering in the chill night air. 

"What, you're cold? Well, come along. I'll carry the box. Let's run. It'll warm yer. "

Dexter was ready with another protest, but he did not utter it. Hiscompanion seemed to carry him along with the force of his will, but allthe same there was a troublous feeling forcing itself upon him that hehad made a mistake, and he could not help a longing for his room at thedoctor's with its warm bed, comfort, safety, and repose. 

But he knew it was too late, and he was too much hurried and confused todo more than try to keep up with Bob Dimsted as he ran by his sidecarrying the box till they had reached the meadow facing Sir JamesDanby's garden; and there, just dimly seen across the river, was the lowgable-end of the boat-house beneath the trees. 

"Hush! don't make a row, " whispered Bob. "Now then, slip in and fetchit. Why, you could almost jump it. "

"But, Bob--I--I don't like to go. I'm so cold. "

"I'll precious soon warm yer if you don't look sharp, " cried Bobfiercely. "Don't you try to make a fool of me. Now then, in with you!"

He had put the box down and gripped Dexter fiercely by the arm, causinghim so much pain that instead of alarming it roused the boy's flaggingspirit, and he turned fiercely upon his assailant, and wrested his armfree. 

"That's right, " said Bob. "In with you. And be sharp, and then you candress yerself as we float down. "

Dexter's instinct was to resist and give up, but he felt that he hadgone too far, and feeling that his companion might consider him a cowardif he refused to go, he lowered himself down into the water. 

"That's yer sort, " said Bob, in a loud whisper. "You'll soon do it. "

"But suppose the chains are locked!"

"They won't be locked, " said Bob. "You go acrost and see. "

In the eager desire to get an unpleasant task done, Dexter let himselfglide down into the swift stream about a dozen yards above theboat-house, and giving himself a good thrust off with his feet, he swamsteadily and easily across, the river there being about thirty yardswide, and in a very short time he managed to touch the post at the outercorner of the long low boat-house. Then, hardly knowing how he managedit, he found bottom as his hand grasped the gunwale of the boat, andwalking along beside it he soon reached the chain which moored it to theend. 

Here in his excitement and dread it seemed as if his mission was tofail. It was dark enough outside, but in the boat-house everythingseemed to be of pitchy blackness, and try how he would he could find noway of unfastening the chain. 

He tried toward the boat, then downwards, then upwards, and in the boatagain, and again. His teeth were chattering, his chest and shouldersfelt as if they were freezing, and his hands, as they fumbled with thewet chain, began to grow numbed, while, to add to his excitement andconfusion, Bob kept on from time to time sending across the river aquick hissing--

"I say; look sharp. "

Then he heard a sound, and he splashed through the water in retreattoward the river, for it seemed that they were discovered, and some onecoming down the garden. 

But the sound was repeated, and he realised the fact that it was onlythe side of the boat striking against a post. 

"I say, are you a-coming?" whispered Bob. 

"I can't undo the chain, " Dexter whispered back. 

"Yer don't half try. "

Just then the clock chimed half-past twelve, and Dexter stoppedinvoluntarily; but a fresh summons from his companion roused him tofurther action, and he passed once more along to the prow of the boat, and seizing the chain felt along it till this time he felt a hook, and, wondering how it was that he had missed it before, he began withtrembling fingers to try and get it out from the link through which itwas thrust. 

It was in very tightly, though, for the point being wedge-shaped theswaying about and jerking to and fro of the boat had driven it furtherand further in, so that it was not until he had been ready over and overagain to give up in despair that the boy got the iron free. 

Then panting with dread and excitement he found the rest easy; the chainwas passed through a ring-bolt in one of the posts at the head of theboat-house, and through this he drew it back slowly and cautiously onaccount of the rattling it made. 

It seemed of interminable length as he drew and drew, piling up thechain in the bows of the boat till he thought he must have obtained all, when there was a sudden check, and it would come no further. 

Simple enough in broad daylight, and to a person in the boat, but Dexterwas standing waist deep in the water, and once more he felt that thecase was hopeless. 

Another call from Bob roused him, and he followed the chain with hishand till he had waded to the post, and found that the hook had merelycaught in the ring, and only needed lifting out, and the boat was atliberty. 

But just at this moment there was a furious barking, and a dog seemed tobe tearing down the garden toward the boat-house. 

In an agony of horror Dexter climbed into the boat, and feeling the sideof the long shed he thrust and thrust with so much effect that he sentthe light gig well out into the stream and half-across the river. Thenseizing an oar, as the dog was now down on the bank, snapping andbarking more furiously than ever, he got it over into the water, andafter a great deal of paddling, and confused counter-action of hisefforts, forced the boat onward and along, till it touched the shorewhere Bob was waiting with the box. 

"No, no, don't come out, " he whispered. "Here, help me get these in. "

Dexter crept to the stern of the boat, and in his effort to embark thebox nearly fell overboard, but the treasure was safe. Then Bob handedin a basket, and a bundle of sticks, evidently his rod, and leaping indirectly after, gave the boat sufficient impetus to send it well outinto the stream, down which it began to glide. 

"Ah, bark away, old un, " said Bob contemptuously, as the sound of thedog's alarm notes grew more distant, and then more distant still, forthey were going round a curve, and the garden side of the river wasthick with trees. 

"Is that Danby's dog!" whispered Bob. 

"I don't know, " said Dexter, with his teeth chattering from cold andexcitement. 

"Why! you're a-cold, " said Bob coolly. "Here, I'll send her along. Youlook sharp and dress. I say, where's your bundle of things?"

"Do you mean my clothes?"

"No! Your bundle. "

"I didn't bring anything, " said Dexter, hurriedly slipping on his shirt. 

"Well, you are a chap!" said Bob sourly, but Dexter hardly heard him, for he was trying to get his wet body covered from the chill night air;and he could think of nothing but the fact that he had taken a verydesperate step, and the boat was bearing them rapidly away from whatseemed now to have been a very happy home--further out, further awayfrom the doctor and from Helen, downward toward the sea, and over thatthere was a great black cloud, beyond which, according to Bob Dimsted, there were bright and glorious lands. 

At that moment, chill with the cold and damp, Dexter would have givenanything to have been back in his old room, but it was too late, theboat was gliding on, and Bob had now got out the sculls. The townlights were receding, and they were going onward toward that dark cloudwhich Dexter seemed to see more dimly now, for there was a dumbdepressing sensation of despair upon him, and he turned his eyes towardthe river-bank, asking himself if he could leap ashore. 

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

TIMES OF DELIGHT!

"Here we are!" said Bob Dimsted, as he sat handling the sculls veryfairly, and, as the stream was with them, sending the boat easily along. "I think we managed that first-rate. "

Dexter made no reply, for he had his teeth fast set, and his lipspressed together to keep the former from chattering, but he thought agreat deal, and found himself wondering what Bob had done toward gettingthe boat. 

With the covering up of his goose-skinned body, and the return of someof his surface heat, the terrible fit of despondency began to pass away, and Dexter felt less ready to sit down in helpless misery at the bottomof the boat. 

"Getting nice and warm, ain'tcher?"

"Not very, yet. "

"Ah, you soon will be, and if you ain't you shall take one of these hereoars. That'll soon put you right. But what a while you was!"

"I--I couldn't help it, " shivered Dexter, drawing in his breath with aquick hissing sound; "the chain was so hard to undo. "

"Ah, well, never mind now, " said Bob, "only, if we'd got to do it againI should go myself. "

Dexter made no protest, but he thought it sounded rather ungrateful. Hewas too busy, though, with buttons, and getting his fingers to work intheir regular way, to pay much heed, and he went on dressing. 

"I say, what a jolly long while you are!" continued Bob. "Oh, and lookhere! I'd forgot again: why didn't you bring your bundle with all yourclothes and things, eh!"

"Because they weren't mine. "

"Well, you are a chap! Not yourn? Why, they were made for you, and youwore 'em. They can't be anybody else's. I never see such a fellow asyou are! I brought all mine. "

It was an easy task, judging from the size of the bundle dimly seen inthe bottom of the boat, but Dexter said nothing. 

"How much money have you got?" said Bob, after a pause. 

"None at all. "

"What?"

There was utter astonishment in Bob Dimsted's tones as he satmotionless, with the sculls balanced on the rowlocks, staring wildlythrough the gloom, as Dexter now sat down and fought hard with anobstinate stocking, which refused to go on over a wet foot--a waystockings have at such times. 

"Did you say you hadn't got any money?" cried Bob. 

"Yes. I sent it all in a letter to pay for the boat in case we keptit. "

"What, for this boat?" cried Bob. 

"Yes. "

"And you call yourself a mate?" cried Bob, letting the scull blades dropin the water with a splash, and pulling hard for a few strokes. "Well!"

"I felt obliged to, " said Dexter, whose perseverance was rewarded by acomplete victory over the first stocking, when the second yielded itwith a better grace, and he soon had on his shoes, and then began to dryhis ears by thrusting his handkerchief-covered finger in the variouswindings of each gristly maze. 

"Felt obliged to?"

"Yes, of course. We couldn't steal the boat. "

"Yah, steal it! Who ever said a word about stealing? We've onlyborrowed it, and if we don't send it back, old Danby's got lots ofmoney, and he can buy another. But, got no money! Well!"

"But we don't want money, do we!" said Dexter, whom the excitement aswell as his clothes now began to make comparatively warm. "I thought wewere going where we could soon make our fortunes. "

"Yes, of course we are, stoopid; but you can't make fortunes withoutmoney. You can't ketch fish if yer ain't got no bait. "

This was a philosophical view of matters which took Dexter aback, and hefaltered rather as he spoke next, this time with his ears dry, his hairnot so very wet, and his jacket buttoned up to his chin. 

"I'm very sorry, Bob, " he said gently. 

"Sorry! Being sorry won't butter no parsneps, " growled Bob. 

"No, " said Dexter mildly, "but we haven't got any parsneps to butter. "

"No, nor ain't likely to have, " growled Bob, and then returning to afavourite form of expression: "And you call yourself a mate! Here, comeand kitch holt of this scull. "

Dexter sat down on the thwart, and took the scull after Bob hadcontrived to give him a spiteful blow on the back with it before heextricated it from its rowlock. 

Dexter winced slightly, but he bore the pain without a word, and beganrowing as well as a boy does row who handles a scull for the first timein his life. And there he sat, gazing to right and left at the darkbanks of the river, and the stars above and reflected below, as theywent slowly on along the bends and reaches of the little river, everything looking strangely distorted and threatening to the boy'sunaccustomed eyes. 

The exercise soon began to bring a general feeling of warmth to hischilled frame, and as the inward helplessness passed away it began togive place to an acute sense of fear, and his eyes wandered here andthere in search of Sir James Danby, the doctor, and others moreterrible, who would charge them with stealing the boat in spite of hisprotests and the money he had left behind. 

And all the time to make his trip more pleasant he had to suffer fromjarring blows upon the spine, given by the top of Bob's oar. 

In nearly every case this was intentional, and Bob chuckled to himself, as with the customary outburst of his class he began to abuse hiscompanion. 

"Why don't yer mind and keep time!" he cried. "Who's to row if you goon like that? I never see such a stoopid. "

"All right, Bob, I'll mind, " said Dexter, with all the humility of anignorance which kept him from knowing that as he was rowing stroke Bobshould have taken his time from him. 

The blows on the back had two good effects, however: they gratified Bob, who had the pleasure of tyrannising over and inflicting pain upon hiscomrade, while Dexter gained by the rapid increase of warmth, and wasmost likely saved from a chill and its accompanying fever. 

Still that night trip was not pleasant, for when Bob was not grumblingabout the regularity of Dexter's stroke, he had fault to find as to hispulling too hard or not hard enough, and so sending the head of the boattoward the right or left bank of the stream. In addition, the youngbully kept up a running fire of comment on his companion's shortcomings. 

"I never see such a mate, " he said. "No money and no clothes. I say, "he added at the end of one grumbling fit, "what made you want to runaway!"

"I don't know, " said Dexter sadly. "I suppose it was because youpersuaded me. "

"Oh, come, that's a good un, " said Bob. "Why, it was you persuaded me!You were always wanting to go away, and you said we could take Danby'sboat, and go right down to the sea. "

"No!" protested Dexter; "it was you said that. "

"Me!" cried Bob. "Oh, come, I like that, 'pon my word I do. It was youalways begging of me to go, and to take you with me. Why, I shouldn'tnever have thought of such a thing if you hadn't begun it. "

Dexter was silent, and now getting thoroughly warm he toiled on with hisoar, wondering whether Bob would be more amiable when the day came, andtrying to think of something to say to divert his thoughts and make himcease his quarrelsome tone. 

"I never see such a mate, " growled Bob again. "No money, no clothes!why, I shall have to keep yer, I s'pose. "

"How long will it take us to get down to the sea, Bob?" said Dexter atlast. 

"I d'know. Week p'r'aps. "

"But we shall begin fishing before then, shan't we!"

"Fishing! How are you going to fish without any rod and line? Expectsme to find 'em for yer, I s'pose!"

"No, but I thought you would catch the fish, and I could light a fireand cook them. "

"Oh, that's what yer thought, was it? Well, p'r'aps we shall, andp'r'aps we shan't. "

"Do you think they will come after us!" ventured Dexter, after a time. 

"Sure to, I should say; and if they do, and they kitches us, I shall sayas it was you who stole the boat. "

"No, you won't, " said Dexter, plucking up a little spirit now he wasgetting more himself. "You wouldn't be such a sneak. "

"If you call me a sneak, I'll chuck you out of the boat, " cried Bobangrily. 

"I didn't call you a sneak, I only said you wouldn't be such a sneak, "protested Dexter. 

"I know what you said: yer needn't tell me, and I won't have it, so nowthen. If you want to quarrel, you'd better get out and go back. "

"But I don't want to quarrel, Bob; I want to be the best of friends. "

"Then don't yer call me a sneak, because if you do it'll be the worsefor you. "

"Oh, I say, Bob, " protested Dexter, as he tugged away at his oar, "don'tbe so disagreeable. "

"And now he says I'm disagreeable!" cried Bob. "Well of all the chapsas ever I see you're about the nastiest. Look here, do you want tofight? because if you do, we'll just go ashore here and have it out. "

"I don't want to fight indeed, Bob. "

"Yes, you do; you keep egging of me on, and saying disagreeable thingsas would have made some chaps give you one for yourself ever so longago. Lookye here, only one on us can be captain in this here boat, andit is going to be either me or you. I don't want to be, but I ain'tgoing to be quite jumped upon, so we'll get ashore here, and soon seewho it's going to be. "

As Bob Dimsted spoke in a low snarling way, he gave his scull so hard apull that he sent the boat's head in toward the bank. 

"First you want one thing, and then you want another, and then you tryto make out that it was me who stole the boat. "

"I only said it wasn't me. "

"There, " cried Bob, "hark at that! Why, who was it then?" Didn't youtake yer clothes off and swim over while I stood t'other side?

Dexter did not answer, but went on rowing with a hot feeling of angerrising in his breast. 

"Oh, so now you're sulky, are you? Very well, my lad, we'll soon see tothat. If you don't know who's best man, I'm going to show you. It'sdark, but it's light enough for that, so come ashore and--"

_Whish! rush! crash_!

"Row! pull! pull!" whispered Bob excitedly, as there was a loud breakingof the low growth on the bank close by them, followed by the loud clapgiven by a swing-gate violently dashed to. 

Dexter pulled, but against the bank, for they were too close in for themto get a dip of the oar in the water; but what he did was not withoutsome effect, and, as Bob backed, the boat's head gradually glided round, shot into the stream, and they went swiftly on again, pulling as hard asthey could. 

"Did you see him!" whispered Bob at last. 

"No, did you?"

"No, but I nearly did. He has been creeping along the bank for ever solong, and he nearly got hold of the boat. "

"Who was it?" whispered Dexter. 

"Pleeceman, but pull hard, and we shall get away from him yet. "

They both pulled a slow stroke for quite an hour, and by that time thehorse that had been feeding upon the succulent weedy growth close to thewater's edge had got over its fright, and was grazing peaceably oncemore. 

Bob was quiet after that. The sudden alarm had cut his string of wordsin two, and he was too much disturbed to take them up again to join. Infact he was afraid to speak lest he should be heard, and he kept hisill-temper--stirred up by the loss of a night's rest--to himself for thenext hour, when suddenly throwing in his oar he said--

"Look here, I'm tired, and I shall lie down in the bottom here and havea nap. You keep a sharp look-out. "

"But I can't row two oars, " said Dexter. 

"Well, nobody asked you to. You've got to sit there with the boat-hook, and push her off if ever she runs into the bushes. The stream'll takeher down like it does a float. "

"How far are we away from the town!"

"I d'know. "

"Well, how soon will it be morning!"

"How should I know? I haven't got a watch, have I? If I'd had one Ishould have sold it so as to have some money to share with my mate. "

"Have you got any money, Bob?"

"Course I have. Don't think I'm such a stoopid as you, do yer!"

Dexter was silent, and in the darkness he laid in his oar after thefashion of his companion, and took up the boat-hook, while Bob liftedone of the cushions from the seat, placed it in the bottom of the boat, and then curled up, something after the fashion of a dog, and went offto sleep. 

Dexter sat watching him as he could dimly make out his shape, and thenfound that the stern of the boat had been caught in an eddy and swunground, so that he had some occupation for a few moments trying to alterher position in the water, which he did at last by hooking the trunk ofan overhanging willow. 

This had the required effect, and the head swung round once more; but inobtaining this result Dexter found himself in this position--the willowrefused to give up its hold of the boat-hook. He naturally, on hisside, also refused, and, to make matters worse, the current here wasquite a race, and the boat was going rapidly on. 

He was within an ace of having to leave the boat-hook behind, for hedeclined to try another bath--this time in his clothes. Just, however, at the crucial moment the bark of the willow gave way, the hookdescended with a splash, and Dexter breathed more freely, and sat therewith the boat-hook across his knees looking first to right and then toleft in search of danger, but seeing nothing but the low-wooded banks ofthe stream, which was gradually growing wider as they travelled furtherfrom the town. 

It was a strange experience; and, comparatively happy now in the silenceof the night, Dexter kept his lonely watch, thinking how much pleasanterit was for his companion to be asleep, but all the time suffering apeculiar sensation of loneliness, and gazing wonderingly at the strange, dark shapes which he approached. 

Men, huge beasts, strange monsters, they seemed sometimes right infront, rising from the river, apparently as if to bar his way, butalways proving to be tree, bush, or stump, and their position caused bythe bending of the stream. 

Once there was a sudden short and peculiar grating, and the boat stoppedshort, but only to glide on again as he realised that the river wasshallow there, and they had touched the clean-washed gravelly bottom. 

There was enough excitement now he was left to himself to keep off thedepression he had felt, for now the feeling that he was gliding awayinto a new life was made more impressive by the movement of the boat, which seemed to him to go faster and faster among dimly seen trees, andalways over a glistening path that seemed to be paved with stars. 

Once, and once only, after leaving the town behind was there any sign ofinhabited building, and that was about an hour after they started, whena faint gleam seemed to be burning steadily on the bank, and so nearthat the light shone down upon the water. But that was soon passed, andthe river ran wandering on through a wild and open district, where theonly inhabitants were the few shepherds who attended the flocks. 

On still, and on, among the low meadows, through which the river had cutits way in bygone times. Serpentine hardly expressed its course, for itso often turned and doubled back over the ground it had passed before;but still it, on the whole, flowed rapidly, and by slow degrees mileafter mile was placed between the boys and the town. Twice over acurious sensation of drowsiness came upon Dexter, and he found himselfhard at work trying to hunt out some of his pets, which seemed to him tohave gone into the most extraordinary places. 

For instance, Sam the toad had worked himself down into the very toe ofthe stocking he had been obliged to take off when he went into thewater, and the more he tried to shake it out, the more tightly it clungwith its little hands. 

Then he woke with a start, and found out that he had dozed off. 

Pulling himself together he determined not to give way again, but to tryand guide the boat. 

To properly effect this he still sat fast with the boat-hook across hisknees, and in an instant he was back at the doctor's house in Coleby, looking on while Helen was busy reading the letter which had beenbrought down from the bedroom. 

Dexter could see her perfectly plainly. It seemed a thoroughlyrealistic proceeding, and she was wiping her eyes as she read, while, atthe same moment, the doctor entered the room with the willow pollardfrom the bottom of the garden; and lifting it up he called him anungrateful boy, and struck him a severe blow on the forehead which senthim back on to the carpet. 

But it was not on to the carpet, but back into the bottom of the boat, and certainly it was a willow branch which had done the mischief, thoughnot in the doctor's hand. 

Dexter got up again, feeling rather sore and confused, for the boat haddrifted under a projecting bough, just on a level with the boy's head, but his cap had saved him from much harm. 

Dexter's first thought was that Bob would jump up and begin to bully himfor going to sleep. But Bob was sleeping heavily, and the bump, thefall, and the rocking of the boat only acted as a lullaby to hispleasant dreams. 

And then it seemed that a tree on the bank--a tall poplar--was very muchplainer than he had seen any tree before that night. So was another onthe other bank, and directly after came a sound with which he wasperfectly familiar at the doctor's--a sound that came beneath his windowamong the laurustinus bushes. 

_Chink_--_chink_--_chink_--_chink_. 

A blackbird--answered by another. And then all at once it seemed to beso cold that it was impossible to help shivering; and to ward off thechilling sensation Dexter began to use the boat-hook as a pole, thrusting it down first on one side of the boat and then on the other assilently as he could, so as not to wake Bob. Sometimes he touchedbottom, and was able to give the boat a good impetus, but as often asnot he could not reach the river-bed. Still the exercise made his bloodcirculate, and drove away the dull sense of misery that had been comingon. 

As he toiled on with the pole, the trees grew plainer and plainer, and asoft pearly dawn seemed to be floating over the river. The birdsuttered their calls, and then, all at once, in a loud burst of melody, up rose a lark from one of the dewy meadows on his right. Then furtheroff there was another, and right away high up in the east one tiny speckof dull red. 

Soon this red began to glow as if gradually getting hotter. Thenanother and another speck appeared--then scores, fifties, hundreds--andDexter stood bathed in the rich light which played through the curlingriver mists, as the whole of the eastern heavens became damasked withflecks of gold. 

In a comparatively short time these faded, and a warm glow spread aroundthe meadows and wild country on either side, where empurpled hills rosehigher and higher, grew more and more glorious, and the river sparkledand danced and ran in smooth curves, formed eddies, and further inadvance became one wonderful stretch of dancing golden ripples, sobeautiful that Dexter stood on the thwart with the pole balanced in hishand wondering whether everything could be as beautiful at Coleby as hesaw it now. 

Then there was a sudden shock, so sharp that he could not save himself, but took a kind of header, not into the water, but right on to BobDimsted, landing with his knees in Bob's softest portion, and the poleright across his neck, just as Bob tried to rise, and uttered atremendous yell. The wonder was that the end of the boat-hook had notgone through the bottom of the boat. 

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO. 

MASTER AND SLAVE. 

"Eee! I say! Whatcher doing of!" roared Bob, beginning to struggle, asDexter contrived to get his feet once more. 

"I--I couldn't help it, Bob, " he said, in a shame-faced way. 

"Couldn't help it! Here, don'tcher try to wake me again that way. "

"I didn't. I--"

"Coming jumping on a fellow. "

"I didn't, Bob. The boat stopped all at once, and I tumbled forward. "

"Then just you tumble on to some one else next time, " growled Bob, sitting up rubbing himself, and then yawning loudly. "Why, hulloa!Whatcher been doing of now?"

"I? Nothing Bob. "

"Yes, you have. You've got the boat aground. "

"I--I didn't indeed, Bob. It went like that all of itself, " stammeredDexter. 

"Went all of itself! You are a fellow to leave to manage a boat. Ijust shut my eyes a few minutes and you get up to them games. Here, give us holt!"

He snatched at the boat-hook, and began to thrust with all his might:but in vain. 

"Don't stand staring like that, " he cried, becoming all at once in aviolent hurry to get on. "Come and help. D'yer want them to come andketch us!"

Dexter went to his help, and by dint of thrusting together the boat waspushed off the shallows, and gliding once more into deep water began tofloat gently on. 

There was a few minutes' silence, during which Bob took the sculls andbegan to pull, looking, with his eyes red and swollen up, anything but apleasant companion; and in spite of himself Dexter began to think thatBob as a conversational friend across the water was a very differentbeing to Bob as the captain of their little vessel, armed withauthority, and ready to tyrannise over his comrade to the fullestextent. 

Suddenly a thought occurred to Dexter as he ran his eye over thehandsome cushions of the well-varnished boat. 

"Bob!" he said. 

There was no answer. 

"Bob, did you take that parcel and drop it in Sir James's letter-box!"

"What parcel!" said Bob sourly. 

"That one I threw over to you last night. "

"Oh! that one as fell in the water?"

"Yes: did you take it?"

"Why, didn't you tell me to!"

"Yes: but did you?"

"Why, of course I did. "

"That's right. I say, where are we now?"

"I d'know. Somewhere down the river. "

"Hadn't we better begin to fish?"

"Fish? What for?"

"Because I'm getting so hungry, and want my breakfast. "

"Yes, you're a nice fellow to wantcher bragfuss. Got no money and noclothes. I s'pose I shall have to keep yer. "

"No, no, Bob. I'll work, or fish, or do anything. "

"Yes, so it seems, " said Bob sarcastically; "a-sitting there like agent, and letting me do everything. "

"Well, let me pull one oar. "

"No, I can do it, and you shall have some bragfuss presently. I don'twant to be took, because you've stole a boat. "

Dexter turned pale, and then red with indignation, but he did not sayanything, only waited till his lord should feel disposed to see aboutgetting a meal. 

This happened when they were about a couple of miles lower down thestream, which steadily opened out and became more beautiful, till atlast it seemed to be fully double the size it was at Coleby. 

Here they came abreast of a cluster of cottages on the bank, one ofwhich, a long whitewashed stone building, hung out a sign such as showedthat it was a place for refreshment. 

"There, " said Bob, "we'll land there--I mean you shall, and go in andbuy some bread and cheese. "

"Bread and cheese, " faltered Dexter. "Shan't we get any tea or coffee, and bread and butter?"

"No! of course not. If we both get out they'll be asking us questionsabout the boat. "

Bob backed the boat close to the shore, stern foremost, and then said--

"Now, look here, don't you make no mistake; but you jump out as soon asI get close in, and go and ask for four pen'orth o' bread and cheese. I'll row out again and wait till you come. "

Dexter did not like the task, and he could not help thinking of thepleasant breakfast at the doctor's, but recalling the fact that afortune was not to be made without a struggle, he prepared to land. 

"But I haven't got any money, " he said. "No, you haven't got anymoney, " said Bob sourly, as he tucked one oar under his knee, so as toget his hand free to plunge into his pocket. "There you are, " he said, bringing out sixpence. "Look sharp. "

Dexter took the money, leaped ashore, and walked up to the littlepublic-house, where a red-faced woman waited upon him, and cut the breadand cheese. 

"Well, " she said, looking wonderingly at her customer, "don't you wantno beer!"

Dexter shook his head, lifted up his change, and hurried out of theplace in alarm, lest the woman should ask him any more questions. 

But she did not attempt to, only came to the door to watch the boy as hewent back to the boat, which was backed in so that Dexter could jumpaboard; but Bob, whose eyes were looking sharply to right and left insearch of danger, just as a sparrow scrutinises everything in dreadwhile it is eating a meal, managed so badly in his eagerness to getaway, that, as Dexter leaped in, he gave a tug with the sculls, makingthe boat jerk so sharply that Dexter's feet began to move faster thanhis body, and the said body came down in a sitting position that wasmore sudden than agreeable. 

"Well, you are a fellow!" cried Bob, grinning. "Any one would think youhad never been in a boat before. "

Dexter gathered together the portions of food which had been scatteredin the bottom of the boat, and then sat looking ruefully at hiscompanion. 

"If any of that there's dirty, you've got to eat it, " said Bob sourly. "I shan't. "

As he spoke he tugged as hard as he could at the sculls, rowing awaytill they were well round the next bend, and quite out of sight of thewoman who stood at the door watching them, and as Bob bent down, andpulled each stroke well home, Dexter sat watching him with a troubledfeeling which added to his hunger and discomfort. For once more itbegan to seem that Bob was not half so pleasant a companion as he hadpromised to be when he was out fishing, and they sat and chatted oneither side of the little river. 

But he brightened up again as Bob suddenly began to pull harder with hisleft-hand scull, turning the boat's head in toward the shore where aclump of trees stood upon the bank with their branches overhanging, andalmost touching the water. 

"Look out! Heads!" cried Bob, as the bow of the boat touched theleafage, and they glided on through the pliant twigs; and as the scullswere laid in, Bob rose up in his place, seized a good-sized bough, andholding on by it worked the boat beneath, and in a position whichenabled him to throw the chain over, and securely moor the little vesselin what formed quite a leafy arbour with the clear water for floor, andthe thwarts of the boat for seats. 

"There, " cried Bob, in a satisfied tone, and with a little of his oldmanner, "whatcher think o' that? Talk about a place for a bragfuss!Why, it would do to live in. "

Dexter said it was capital, but somehow just then he began to thinkabout the pleasant room at the doctor's, with the white cloth and china, and the silver coffee-pot, and the odour from the covered dish whichcontained ham or bacon, or fried soles. 

"Now then!" cried Bob; "I'm as hungry as you, and we're all safe here, so hand over. "

Dexter gave him one of the portions of bread and cheese--the better ofthe two, but Bob turned it over and examined it in a dissatisfied way, scowling at it the while, and casting an occasional glance at that whichDexter had reserved for himself. 

"What I says is--play fair, " he growled. "I don't want no more thanhalf. "

"But that's the bigger half, Bob. "

"I dunno so much about that. "

"And this is the one which seemed to be a little gritty. "

"Oh, is it?" said Bob surlily; and he began eating in a wolfish fashion, making fierce snaps and bites at his food, as he held the bread in onehand, the cheese in the other, and taking alternate mouthfuls. 

"Hunger is sweet sauce, " and Dexter was not long in following Bob'sexample, that is as to the eating, but as he sat there munching away atthe cakey home-made bread, and the strong cheese, in spite of its beinga glorious morning, and the sun showering down in silver pencils throughthe overhanging boughs--in spite of the novelty of the scene, and thefreedom, there did not seem to be so much romance in the affair as hadbeen expected; and try how he would he could not help longing for a goodhot cup of coffee. 

This was not heroic, but the boy felt very miserable. He had been upall night, going through adventures that were, in spite of theirtameness, unusually exciting, and he was suffering from a nervousdepression which robbed him of appetite as much as did his companion'swords. For instead of being merry, confidential, and companionable, Bobscarcely opened his lips now without assuming the overbearing bullyingtone he had heard so often from his elders. 

"Come, get on with your bragfuss, " said Bob sharply. "We're going ond'rectly, and you've got to pull. "

"I can't eat much this morning, " said Dexter apologetically; "and I'mthirsty. "

"Well, why don't yer drink!" said Bob, grinning, and pointing at theriver. "Here, I'll show you how. "

He took off his cap, and placing his chest on the side of the boat, leant over till his lips touched the clear flowing stream. 

"Hah!" he said at last, rising and passing his hand across his lips;"that's something like water, that is. Better than tea, or drinkingwater out of a mug. "

"Doesn't it taste fishy?" Dexter ventured to say. 

"Fishy! Hark at him!" cried Bob mockingly. "You try. "

Dexter's mouth felt hot and dry, and laying aside what he had not eatenof his bread and cheese he followed his companion's example, and wasdrawing in the cool sweet water, when he suddenly felt Bob's hand on theback of his, neck, and before he could struggle up his head was thrustdown into the water over and over again. 

"Don't, don't!" he panted, as he thrust against the side of the boat andgot free. "You shouldn't do that. "

There was a flash of anger in his eyes as he faced Bob, and his fistswere clenched, but he did not strike out, he contented himself withrubbing the water from his eyes, and then wiping his face upon hishandkerchief. 

"I shouldn't do that? Why shouldn't I do that?" said Bob threateningly. "Serve yer right, sittin' down to bragfuss without washing yer face. Going to have any more?"

Dexter did not answer; but finished drying his face, and then took uphis bread and cheese. 

"Oh, that's it, is it!" said Bob. "Sulky, eh? Don't you come none o'them games with me, young fellow, or it will be the worse for yer. "

Dexter made no reply, but went on eating, having hard work to swalloweach mouthful. 

Time back all this would not have made so much impression upon him, butthe social education he had been receiving in his intercourse with HelenGrayson had considerably altered him, and his breast swelled as he feltthe change in his companion, and began to wish more than ever that hehad not come. 

Almost as he thought this he received a curious check. 

"It won't do for you to be sulky with me, " began his tyrant. "You'vegot to go along o' me now you have come. You couldn't go back afterstealing this boat. "

"Stealing!" cried Dexter, flushing up. "I didn't steal it. We borrowedit together. "

"Oh, did we?" said Bob mockingly; "I don't know nothing about no _we_. It was you stole it, and persuaded me to come. "

"I didn't, " cried Dexter indignantly. "I only borrowed it, and youhelped me do it. "

"Oh, did I? We shall see about that. But you can't go back never nomore, so don't you think that. "

Bob's guess at his companion's thoughts was pretty shrewd; and as Dextersat looking at him aghast, with the full extent of his delinquencydawning upon him, Bob began to unloose the chain. 

"Now then, " he said, "finish that there bread and cheese, or else put itin yer pocket. We're going on again, and I want to catch our dinner. "

The idea of doing something more in accordance with the object of theirtrip roused Dexter into action, and, after helping to force the boatfrom among the branches, he willingly took one of the sculls; and inobedience to the frequently given orders, rowed as well as hisinexperience would allow, and they glided swiftly down the stream. 

"What are you going to do first, Bob?" said Dexter, who felt more brightand cheerful now out in the sunshine, with the surface all ripple andglow. 

"Why, I telled yer just now!" said the boy surlily. "Mind what yerdoing, or you'll catch a crab. "

Dexter did catch one the next moment, thrusting his oar in so deeplythat he could hardly withdraw it, and bringing forth quite a littlestorm of bullying from his companion. 

"Here, I shall never make nothing o' you, " cried Bob. "Give's thatthere oar. "

"No, no, let me go on pulling, " said Dexter good-humouredly, for his fitof anger had passed off. "I'm not used to it like you are, but I shallsoon learn. "

He tried to emulate Bob's regular rowing, and by degrees managed to helpthe boat along till toward midday, when, seeing an attractive bend wherethe river ran deep and dark round by some willows, Bob softly rowed theboat close up to the bank, moored her to the side, and then began to fittogether his tackle, a long willow wand being cut and trimmed to do dutyfor a rod. 

This done, a very necessary preliminary had to be attended to, namely, the finding of bait. 

Bob was provided with a little canvas bag, into which he thrust a fewgreen leaves and some scraps of moss, before leaping ashore, andproceeding to kick off patches of the bank in search of worms. 

Dexter watched him attentively, and then his eyes fell upon agood-sized, greenish-hued caterpillar which had dropped from a willowbranch into the boat. 

This seemed so suitable for a bait that Dexter placed it in one of Bob'stin boxes, and proceeded to search for more; the boughs upon beingshaken yielding six or seven. 

"Whatcher doing of?" grumbled Bob, coming back to the boat, aftersecuring a few worms. "Yah! they're no use for bait. "

All the same, though, the boy took one of the caterpillars, passed thehook through its rather tough skin, and threw out some distance in frontof the boat, and right under the overhanging boughs. 

There was a quick bob of the float, and then it began to glide along thetop of the water, while, as Bob skilfully checked it, there was a quickrushing to and fro, two or three minutes' hard fight, and a half-poundtrout was drawn alongside, and hoisted into the boat. 

"That's the way I doos it, " said Bob, whose success suddenly turned himquite amiable. "Fish will take a caterpillar sometimes. Give usanother!"

The bait was passed along to the fisherman, who threw out, and in fiveminutes was again successful, drawing in, after a short struggle, a nicelittle chub. 

After that, it was as if the disturbance of the water had driven thefish away, and though Bob tried in every direction, using thecaterpillar, a worm, a bit of bread paste, and a scrap of cheese, hecould not get another bite. 

Bob tried after that till he was tired, but no fish would bite, so hehanded the rod to Dexter, who also fished for some time in vain, when aremoval was determined upon; but though they tried place after placethere were no more bites, and hunger having asserted itself once more, they landed to prepare their dinner. 

The place chosen was very solitary, being where the river ran deeplybeneath a high limestone cliff, and landing, a few sticks were soongathered together ready for a fire. 

"But we have no matches, " said Dexter. 

"You mean you ain't got none, " sneered Bob, taking a box out of hispocket. "I'm captain, and captains always thinks of these things. Nowthen, clean them fish, while I lights this fire. Got a knife, ain'tyer!"

Dexter had a knife, and he opened it and proceeded to perform the ratherdisgusting task, while Bob lay down and began blowing at the fire to getit into a blaze. 

That fish-cleaning was very necessary, but somehow it did not add to thecharm of the _alfresco_ preparations; and Dexter could not help thinkingonce how uncomfortable it would be if it came on to rain and put out thefire. 

But it did not come on to rain; the wood burned merrily, and after apiece of shaley limestone had been found it was placed in the fire wherethe embers were most clear, and the fish laid upon it to cook. 

The success was not great, for when the fish began to feel the heat, andhissed and sputtered, the piece of stone began to send off splinters, with a loud crack, from time to time. Then a pocket-knife, thoughuseful, is not a convenient cooking implement, especially when, for wantof lard or butter, the fish began to stick to the stone, and refused tobe turned over without leaving their skins behind. 

"Ain't it fun?" said Bob. 

Dexter said it was. He did not know why, for at that moment a piece ofgreen wood had sent a jet of hot, steamy smoke in his eyes, which gavehim intense pain, and set him rubbing the smarting places in a way whichmade them worse. 

"Here, don't make such a fuss over a bit o' smoke, " said Bob. "You'llsoon get used to that. Mind, that one's tail's burning!"

Dexter did mind, but the fish stuck so close to the stone that its tailwas burned off before it could be moved, a mishap which drew from Bobthe remark--

"Well, you are a chap!"

Before the fish were done, more and more wood had to be collected; andas a great deal of this was green, a great smoke arose, and, whenever apuff of wind came, this was far from agreeable. 

"How small they are getting!" said Dexter, as he watched the browningfish. 

_Bang_!

A great piece of the stone splintered off with a report like that of agun, but, fortunately, neither of the boys was hurt. 

"We shall have to buy a frying-pan and a kittle, " said Bob, as soon asexamination proved that the fish were safe, but stuck all over splintersof stone, which promised ill for the repast. "Can't do everything atonce. "

"I'm getting very hungry again, " said Dexter; "and, I say, we haven'tgot any bread. "

"Well, what o' that?"

"And no salt. "

"Oh, you'll get salt enough as soon as we go down to the sea. You maythink yourself jolly lucky as you've got fish, and some one as knows howto kitch 'em. They're done now. I'll let you have that one. 'Tain'tso burnt as this is. There, kitch hold!"

A fish hissing hot and burnt on one side is not a pleasant thing to takein a bare hand, so Dexter received his upon his pocket-handkerchief, asit was pushed toward him with a piece of stick; and then, following hiscompanion's example, he began to pick off pieces with the blade of hispocket-knife, and to burn his mouth. 

"'Lishus, ain't it?" said Bob, making a very unpleasant noise suggestiveof pigs. 

Dexter made no reply, his eyes were watering, and he was in difficultieswith a bone. 

"I said 'lishus, ain't it!" said Bob again, after more pig noise. 

"Mine isn't very nice, " said Dexter. 

"Not nice? Well, you are a chap to grumble! I give you the best one, because this here one had its tail burnt off, and now you ain'tsatisfied. "

"But it tastes bitter, and as if it wants some bread and salt. "

"Well, we ain't got any, have we? Can't yer wait?"

"Yes, " said Dexter; "but it's so full of bones. "

"So are you full of bones. Go on, mate. Why, I'm half done. "

Dexter did go on, wondering in his own mind whether his companion's fishwas as unpleasant and coarse eating as the one he discussed, giving himcredit the while for his disinterestedness, he being in happy ignoranceof the comparative merits of fresh-water fish when cooked; and thereforehe struggled with his miserable, watery, insipid, bony, ill-cooked chub, while Bob picked the fat flakes off the vertebra of his juicy trout. 

"Wish we'd got some more, " said Bob, as he licked his fingers, and thenwiped his knife-blade on the leg of his trousers. 

"I don't, " thought Dexter; but he was silent, and busy picking out thethin sharp bones which filled his fish. 

"Tell you what, " said Bob, "we'll--Look out!"

He leaped up and dashed to the boat, rapidly unfastening the chain fromwhere it was secured to a stump. 

Dexter had needed no further telling, for he had caught sight of two menat the same time as Bob; and as it was evident that they were runningtoward the fire, and as Dexter knew intuitively that he was trespassing, he sprang up, leaving half his chub, and leaped aboard, just as Bobsprang from the bank, seized an oar, and thrust the boat away. 

It was pretty close, for as the stern of the boat left the shore theforemost man made a dash at it, missed, and nearly fell into the water. 

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE. 

THE LIFE OF THE FREE. 

"Here, " cried the man, as he recovered himself, "it's of no use. Comeback!"

Dexter was so influenced by the man's words that he was ready to go backat once. But Bob was made of different stuff, and he began now to workthe boat along by paddling softly, fish-tail fashion. 

"Do you hear!" roared the man, just as the other came trotting up, quiteout of breath. 

"Yah!" cried Bob derisively, as he began to feel safe. "Come back, youyoung scoundrel!" roared the man fiercely. "Here, Digges, fetch 'emback. "

He was a big black-whiskered man in a velveteen jacket, evidently agamekeeper, and he spoke to his companion as if he were a dog. 

This man hesitated for a moment or two. 

"Go on! Fetch 'em back, " cried the keeper. 

"But it's so wet. "

"Wet? Well, do you want me to go? In with you. "

The underkeeper jumped off the bank at once into the water, which wasabout up to his knees; but by this time Bob was working the boat alongmore quickly, and before the underkeeper had waded out many yards Bobhad seated himself, put out the second scull, and, helped by the stream, was able to laugh defiance at his would-be captors. 

"Here, I ain't going any further, " grumbled the underkeeper. "It willbe deep water directly, " and he stopped with the current rippling justabout his thigh. 

"Are you coming back!" cried the keeper, looking round about him andpretending to pick up a big stone. 

"No! Come arter us if you want us, " cried Bob, while Dexter croucheddown watching the man's hand, ready to dodge the missile he expected tosee launched at them. 

"If you don't come back I'll--"

The man did not finish his speech, but threw himself back as if about tohurl the stone. 

"Yah!" cried Bob. "Y'ain't got no stone. "

"No, but I've got a boat up yonder. "

"Go and fetch it, then, " cried Bob derisively. 

"You young scoundrels! Landing here and destroying our plantations. I'll send the police after you, and have you before the magistrates, youpoaching young vagabonds!"

"So are you!" cried Bob. 

"Hush, don't!" whispered Dexter. 

"Who cares for them?" cried Bob. "We weren't doing no harm. "

"Here, come out, Digges, and you run across and send the men with a boatthat way. I'll go and get ours. We'll soon have 'em!"

The man slowly waded out while the keeper trampled on the fire, stampingall over it, to extinguish the last spark, so that it should not spread, and then they separated, going in different directions. 

"Row, Bob; row hard, " cried Dexter, who was in agony. 

"Well, I am a-rowing, ain't I? We warn't doing no harm. "

"Let me have an oar. "

"Ketch hold, then, " cried Bob; and as soon as Dexter was seated theybegan to row as if for their lives, watching in turn the side of theriver and the reach they were leaving behind in expectation of seeingthe pursuers and the party who were to cut them off. 

Dexter's horror increased. He pictured himself seized and taken beforea magistrate, charged with damaging, burning, and trespassing. Theperspiration began to stand out in beads upon each side of his nose, hishair grew wet, and his cap stuck to his forehead as he toiled away athis oar, trying hard to obey the injunctions of his companion to pullsteady--to keep time--not to dip his scull so deep, and the like. 

As for Bob, as he rowed he was constantly uttering derisive and defiantremarks; but all the same his grubby face was rather ashy, and he toogrew tremendously hot as he worked away at his scull for quite an hour, during which time they had not seen anything more formidable than half adozen red oxen standing knee-deep in the water, and swinging their tailsto and fro to drive away the tormenting flies. 

"They hadn't got no boat, " said Bob at last. "I know'd it all the time. Pretended to throw a stone at us when there wasn't one near, only theone we tried to cook with, flee him take hold of it and drop it again!"

"No. "

"I did. Burnt his jolly old fingers, and serve him right. We neversaid nothing to him. He ain't everybody. "

"But let's get further away. "

"Well, we're getting further away, stream's taking us down. You are acoward. "

"You were frightened too. "

"No, I wasn't. I laughed at him. I'd ha' give him something if he'dtouched me. "

"Then why did you run away?"

"'Cause I didn't want no bother. Here, let's find another good place, and catch some more fish. "

"It won't be safe to stop yet, Bob. "

"Here, don't you talk to me, I know what I'm about. We'll row roundthat next bend, and I'll show you a game then. "

"Hadn't we better go on till we can buy some bread and butter?" saidDexter; and then as he saw some cattle in a field a happyhunger-engendered thought occurred to him, --"And perhaps we can get somemilk. "

"You're allus thinking of eating and drinking, " cried Bob. "All right!We'll get some, then. "

They rowed steadily on, with Dexter rapidly improving in the managementof his oar, till a farm-house was sighted near the bank; but it was onthe same side as that upon which they had had their adventure. 

They were afraid to land there, so rowed on for another quarter of amile before another building was sighted. 

This proved to be a farm, and they rowed up to a place where the cattlecame down to drink, and a plank ran out on to a couple of posts, evidently for convenience in landing from a boat, or for dipping water. 

"Here, I'll go this time, " said Bob, as the boat glided up against theposts. "No games, you know. "

"What games!"

"No going off and leaving a fellow!"

"Don't be afraid, " said Dexter. 

"I ain't, " said Bob, with a malicious grin. "Why, if a fellow was toserve me such a trick as that I should half-kill him. "

Bob landed, and as Dexter sat there in the swift-streamed Devon rivergazing at the rippling water, and the glorious green pastures andquickly sloping hills, everything seemed to him very beautiful, and hecould not help wishing that he had a pleasanter companion and somedinner. 

Bob soon returned with a wine bottle full of milk and half a loaf, and agreat pat of butter of golden yellow, with a wonderful cow printed uponit, the butter being wrapped in a rhubarb leaf, and the bread swung inBob's dirty neckerchief. 

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

"Let's have some bread and butter first, " said Dexter. 

"No, we won't; not till we get further away. We'll get some fish firstand 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 fish!"

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

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

"I knew all the time, " said Bob, with superior wisdom in everyintonation 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 theriver, where it flowed dark and deep, they ran the boat in once morebeside a meadow edged with pollard willows. 

"Now then, I'll show you some fishing, " cried Bob, as he secured theboat. 

"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 knowwhat 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 aperpendicular clayey bank on the side where they were, and, deliberatelyundressing, Bob let himself down into the river, and then began to gropealong by the side, stooping from time to time to thrust his hand intosome hole. 

"Here, undo that chain, and let her drift by me, " he cried. "I shallfish all along here. "

Dexter obeyed--it seemed to be his fate to obey; and taking theboat-hook he held on easily enough by tree after tree, for there wasscarcely any stream here, watching intently the while, as Bob kept onthrusting 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 dodgedback. Such a big un! They're so jolly hard to hold. "

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

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

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

"Here's another, " said Bob, and he threw one much larger into the boat, its horny shell rattling on the bottom. 

"Are they good to eat?" said Dexter. 

"Good to eat? Why, they're lovely. You wait a bit. And, I say, youlook how I do it; I shall make you always catch these here, so you'vegot to learn. "

Dexter paid attention to the process, and felt that there was not muchto learn: only to find out a hole--the burrow of the cray-fish, --andthen thrust in his hand, and, if the little crustacean were at home, pull it out. The process was soon learned, but the temptation to beginwas not great. 

Bob evidently found the sport exciting, however, for he searched awaywith more or less success, and very soon there were a dozen cray-fish ofvarious sizes crawling about the bottom of the boat. 

"There's thousands of them here, " cried Bob, as he searched away allalong beneath the steep bank, which was full of holes, some being thehomes of rats, some those of the cray-fish, and others of eels which hetouched twice over--in one case for the slimy fish to back further in, but in the other, for it to make a rush out into the open water, andswim rapidly away. 

The pursuit of the cray-fish lasted till the row of willows came to anend, and with them the steep bank, the river spreading out again, andbecoming stony and shallow. 

"How many are there?" said Bob, as he climbed out upon the grass, afterwashing his clayey arm. 

"Twenty-one, " said Dexter. 

"Ah, just you wait a bit till I'm dressed. "

Bob said no more, but indulged in a natural towel. That is to say, hehad a roll on the warm grass, and then rose and ran to and fro in theglowing sunshine for about five minutes, after which he rapidly slippedon his things, which were handed to him from the boat. 

"Now, " he cried, as he stepped in once more and seized an oar, "I'llshow you something. "

They rowed on for some distance, till a suitable spot was found at theedge of a low, scrubby oak wood which ran up a high bank. 

The place was extremely solitary. There was plenty of wood, and as soonas the boat had been moored Dexter was set to work collecting the sticksin a heap, close up to where there was a steep bare piece of stony bank, and in a few minutes the dry leaves and grass first collected caughtfire, then the twigs, and soon a good glowing fire was burning. 

The bread and butter and bottle of milk were stood on one side, andclose by them there was a peculiar noise made by the unhappy cray-fishwhich were tied up in Bob's neckerchief, from which the bread had beenreleased. 

"Going to cook 'em!" he said; "in course I am. Wait a bit and I'll showyer. I say! this is something like a place, ain't it!"

Dexter agreed that it was, for it was a sylvan nook which a lover ofpicnics would have considered perfect, the stream ran swiftly by, a fewyards away the stony bank rose up, dotted with patches of brown furzeand heath, nearly perpendicularly above their heads, and on either sidethey were shut in by trees and great mossy stones. 

The fire burned brightly, and sent up clouds of smoke, which exciteddread in Dexter's breast for a few moments, but the fear was forgottendirectly in the anticipation of the coming feast, in preparation forwhich Bob kept on adding to the central flame the burnt-through piecesof dead wood, while Dexter from time to time fetched more from the amplestore beneath the trees, and broke them off ready for his chief. 

"What are you going to do, Bob!" he said at last. 

"Going to do? You want to know too much. "

"Well, I'm so hungry. "

"Well, I'll tell yer. I'm going to roast them cray-fish, that's whatI'm going to do. "

"How are you going to kill them!"

"Going to kill 'em? I ain't going to kill 'em. "

"But you won't roast them alive. "

"Won't I? Just you wait till there's plenty of hot ashes and you'llsee. "

Dexter had made pets of so many creatures that he shrank from inflictingpain, and he looked on at last with something like horror as Bob untiedhis kerchief, shot all the cray-fish out on the heathy ground, and then, scraping back the glowing embers with his foot till he had left a barepatch of white ash, he rapidly thrust in the captives, which began tohiss and steam and whistle directly. 

The whistling noise might easily have been interpreted to mean a cry ofpain, but the heat was so great that doubtless death was instantaneous, and there was something in what the boy said in reply to Dexter'sprotests. 

"Get out! It don't hurt 'em much. "

"But you might have killed them first. "

"How was I to kill 'em first?" snarled Bob, as he sat tailor fashion andpoked the cray-fish into warmer places with a piece of burning stick. 

"Stuck your knife into them. "

"Well, wouldn't that have hurt 'em just as much?"

"Let them die before you cooked them. "

"That would hurt 'em ever so much more, and took ever so much longer. "

"Well I shan't like to eat them, " said Dexter. 

"More for me, then. I say! don't they smell good?"

Dexter had a whiff just then, and they certainly did smell tempting to ahungry boy; but he made up his mind to partake only of bread and butter, and kept to his determination for quite five minutes after Bob haddeclared the cookery complete, and picked the tiny lobsters out of thehot ashes with his burnt stick. 

"They're too hot to touch yet, " he said. "Wait a bit and I'll show you. Cut the bread. "

Dexter obeyed with alacrity, and was soon feasting away on what mightvery well be called "Boy's Delight, " the honest bread and butter whichhas helped to build up our stalwart race. 

Bob helped himself to a piece of bread, spread it thickly with butter, and, withdrawing a little way from the fire, hooked a hot cray-fish tohis side, calmly picking out the largest; and as soon as he could handleit he treated it as if it were a gigantic shrimp, dividing the shell inthe middle by pulling, and holding up the delicate hot tail, which dreweasily from its armour-like case. 

"Only wants a bit of salt, " he cried, smacking his lips over the little_bonne bouche_, and then proceeding to pick out the contents of theclaws, and as much of the body as he deemed good to eat. 

Dexter looked on with a feeling of disgust, while Bob laughed at him, and finished four of the cray-fish, throwing the shells over hisshoulder towards the river. 

Then Dexter picked up one, drew off the shell, smelt it, tasted it, andfive minutes later he was as busy as Bob, though when they finished thewhole cooking he was seven fish behind. 

"Ain't they 'lishus?" cried Bob. 

"Yes, " said Dexter, unconsciously repeating his companion's firstremark, "only want a bit of salt. "

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR. 

AN AWKWARD PURSUER. 

It was wonderful how different the future looked after that picnicdinner by the river-side. The bread and butter were perfect, and thecray-fish as delicious as the choicest prawns. The water that glidedpast the bank was like crystal; the evening sun lit up the scene withorange and gold; and as the two boys lolled restfully upon the banklistening to the murmur of the running water, the twitter of birds, andthe distant lowing of some ox, they thoroughly appreciated everything, even the rest after their tiring night's work and toilsome day. 

"Are we going on now!" said Dexter at last. 

"What for?" asked Bob, as he lay upon his back, with his head in a tuftof heath. 

"I don't know. "

"What's the good of going on? What's the good o' being in a hurry?"

"I'm not in a hurry, only I should like to get to an island wherethere's plenty of fruit. "

"Ah, we shan't get to one to-day!" said Bob, yawning. Then there wassilence; and Dexter lay back watching the beautiful river, and the brownboat as it swung easily by its chain. 

Soon a butterfly flitted by--a beautiful orange brown butterfly coveredwith dark spots, dancing here and there over the sylvan nook, and thenext minute Dexter as he lay on his back felt cool, and began wonderingwhile he looked straight up at the stars, fancying he had been called. 

He felt as if he had never seen so many stars before glittering in thedark purple sky, and he began wondering how it was that one minute hehad been looking at that spotted butterfly, and the next at the stars. 

And then it dawned upon him that he must have been fast asleep for manyhours, and if he had felt any doubt about this being the right solutionof his position a low gurgling snore on his left told that Bob Dimstedwas sleeping still. 

It was a novel and curious sensation that of waking up in the silenceand darkness, with the leaves whispering, and that impression still uponhim that he had been called. 

"It must have been old Dan'l, " he had thought at first. "Perhaps he wasin search of them, " and he listened intently. Or it might have been themen who had come upon them where they had the first fire, and they hadseen this one. 

"No, they couldn't see this one, for it was out. "

Dexter was about to conclude that it was all imagination, when, from faraway in the wood he heard, in the most startling way:--_Hoi hoi_--_hoohoo_!

He started to his feet, and was about to waken Bob, when a greatghostly-looking bird came sweeping along the river, turned in at thenook quite low down, and then seemed to describe a curve, passing justover his head, and uttered a wild and piercing shriek that wasappalling. 

Dexter's blood ran cold, as the cry seemed to thrill all down his spine, and in his horror he made a rush to run away anywhere from the terriblething which had startled him. 

But his ill luck made him once more startle Bob from his slumbers, for, as he ran blindly to reach the shelter of the wood, he fell right overthe sleeping boy, and went down headlong. 

"Here! I--oh, please sir, don't sir--don't sir, --it was that other boy, sir, it wasn't me, sir. It was--was--it was--why, what games are you upto now!"

"Hush! Bob. Quick! Let's run. "

"Run!" said Bob excitedly, as the frightened boy clung to him. "Ithought they'd come. "

"Yes, they're calling to one another in the wood, " whispered Dexterexcitedly; "and there was a horrid something flew up, and shrieked out. "

"Why, I heerd it, and dreamed it was you. "

"Come away--come away!" cried Dexter. "There, hark!"

_Hoi hoi_--_hoi hoi_! came from not far away. 

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Bob. "You are a one!" and putting his hands tohis mouth, to Dexter's great astonishment he produced a very goodimitation of the cry. 

"Why, you'll have them hear us and come, " he whispered. 

"Yah! you are a coward! Why, it's an old howl. "

"Owl! calling like that!"

"Yes, to be sure. I've heerd 'em lots o' times when I've been latefishing up the river. "

"But there was a big thing flew over my head, and it shrieked out. "

"That was a howl too. Some of 'em shouts, and some of 'em screeches. Isay, I hope you've kept a heye on the boat!"

"Are you sure that other was an owl too!" said Dexter excitedly. 

"Course I am. Think I've been out in the woods with father after thefezzans, and stopping out all night, without knowing a howl?"

Dexter felt quite warm now. 

"I never heard one before, and it frightened me. "

"Yes, you're easily frightened, " said Bob contemptuously. "You haven'tbeen to sleep, have you!"

"Yes, I have. "

"Then you oughtn't to have been. If you've been to sleep and let thatboat go, I'll never forgive you. "

Bob had hardly uttered the words when Dexter, who had forgotten allabout the boat, ran to the water's edge feeling sure that it was gone. 

But it was quite safe, and he went back to Bob. 

"What shall we do now!" he said. 

"Do?" said Bob, yawning. "You sit and keep watch while I go to sleepfor a quarter of an hour. Then you may call me, and I'll take my turn. "

Bob curled himself up after the fashion of a dog, and went off to sleepdirectly, while, as Dexter, who felt chilly, began to walk up and downbetween the water's edge and the steep cliff-like bank, he could nothelp once more wishing that he was in his comfortable bed at thedoctor's. 

He waited for long over a quarter of an hour, keeping his lonely watch, but Bob slept on and snored. 

At the end of about an hour and a half he thought it would only be fairto call his companion to take his turn, but he called in vain. 

Then he tried shaking, but only to elicit growls, and when he perseveredBob hit out so savagely that Dexter was fain to desist. 

"I'll let him sleep half an hour longer, " he said to himself; and hewalked to and fro to keep himself warm. 

It must have been after an hour that he called Bob again. 

"All right, " said that worthy. 

"But it isn't all right, " cried Dexter. "It ain't fair. Come: get up. "

"All right! I'll get up directly. Call me in about ten minutes. "

Dexter waited a little while, and called his companion. But in vain. 

And so it went on, with the sleeper sometimes apologetic, sometimesimploring, till it was broad daylight; and then Bob rose and shookhimself. 

"I say, 'tain't fair, " said Dexter ill-humouredly. 

"Well, why didn't you make me get up!"

"I did try, lots of times. "

"But you didn't half try. You should have got me quite awake. "

"It's too bad, and I'm as sleepy as can be, " grumbled Dexter. 

"Here! whatcher going to do?" cried Bob. 

"Lie down and sleep till breakfast-time. "

"Oh, are yer?" cried Bob. "We've got to go and catch our breakfasts. "

"What, now?"

"To be sure. I'm getting hungry. Come along. I'll find a good place, and it's your turn now to get some cray-fish. "

"But I'm so cold and sleepy. "

"Well, that'll warm yer. There, don't look sulky. "

Bob got into the boat and unfastened the chain, so that there wasnothing left for Dexter to do but follow; and they rowed away down theriver, which was widening fast. 

The exercise and the rising sun sent warmth and brighter thoughts intoDexter, so that he was better able to undertake the task of searchingthe holes for cray-fish when the boat was brought up under a suitablebank, and urged on by Bob he had to undress and take an unwilling bath, and a breakfast-hunt at the same time. 

He was clumsy, and unaccustomed to the task, but driven by Bob'sbullying tones, and helped by the fact that the little crustaceans werepretty plentiful, he managed to get a dozen and a half in about an hour. 

"There, come out, and dress now, " said Bob ill-humouredly. "It's moretrouble to tell you than to have got 'em myself. I'd ha' found twice asmany in the time. "

Dexter shivered, and then began to enjoy the warmth of his garmentsafter as good a wipe as he could manage with a pocket-handkerchief. Butit was the row afterwards that gave the required warmth--a row which wascontinued till another farm-house was seen beside a great cider orchard. 

Here Dexter had to land with sixpence and the empty bottle. 

"I promised to take that there bottle back, " said Bob, with a grin, "butI shan't now. Lookye here. You make 'em give you a good lot of breadand butter for the sixpence, and if they asks you any questions, you saywe're two gentlemen out for a holiday. "

Dexter landed, and went up to the farm-house, through whose open door hecould see a warm fire, and inhale a most appetising odour of cookingbacon and hot coffee. 

A pleasant-faced woman came to the door, and her ways and looks were thefirst cheery incidents of Dexter's trip. 

"Sixpennyworth of bread and butter, and some milk?" she said. "Yes, ofcourse. "

She prepared a liberal exchange for Dexter's coin, and then afterfilling the bottle put the boy's chivalry to the test. 

"Why, you look as if you wanted your breakfast, " she said. "Have a cupof warm coffee?"

Dexter's eyes brightened, and he was about to say _yes_. But he said_no_, for it seemed unfair to live better than his comrade, and justthen the vision of Bob Dimsted looking very jealous and ill-humouredrose before him. 

"I'm in a hurry to get back, " he said. 

The woman nodded, and Dexter hastened back to the water-side. 

"I was just a-going without yer, " was his greeting. "What a whileyou've been!"

"I was as quick as I could be, " said Dexter apologetically. 

"No, you weren't, and don't give me none of your sarce, " said Bob. "Kitch holt o' that scull and pull. D'yer hear!"

Dexter obeyed, and they rowed on for about a mile before a suitableplace was found for landing and lighting a fire, when, after a good dealof ogreish grumbling, consequent upon Bob wanting his breakfast, asimilar meal to that of the previous day was eaten, and they startedonce more on their journey down-stream to the sea, and the golden landwhich would recompense Dexter, as he told himself, for all thisdiscomfort, the rough brutality of his companion, and the prickings ofconscience which he felt whenever Coleby occurred to his mind, and theface of Helen looked reproach into the very depth of his innerconsciousness. 

All that morning, when they again started, he found the river widen andchange. Instead of being clear, and the stones visible at the bottom, the banks were further away, so were the hills, and the water was muddy. What was more strange to Dexter was that instead of the stream carryingthem along it came to meet them. 

At last Bob decided that they would moor by the bank, and begin oncemore to fish. 

They landed and got some worms, and for a time had very fair sport, taking it in turns to catch some small rounded silvery and creamytransparent fish, something like dace, but what they were even Bob didnot know. He was never at a loss, however, and he christened themsea-gudgeon. 

Dexter was just landing one when a sour-looking man in a shabby oldpaintless boat came by close to the shore, and looked at themsearchingly. But he looked harder at the boat as he went by, turned in, as it seemed, and rowed right into the land. 

"There must be a little river there, " Bob said. "We'll look presently. I say, didn't he stare!"

Almost as he spoke the man came out again into the tidal river and rowedaway, went up some distance, and they had almost forgotten him when theysaw him come slowly along, close inshore. 

"Bob, " whispered Dexter, "he's after us. "

To which Bob responded with a contemptuous--

"Yah!"

"Much sport?" said the man, passing abreast of their boat about half adozen yards away, and keeping that by dipping his oars from time totime. 

"Pretty fair, " said Bob, taking the rod. "'Bout a dozen. "

"What fish are they!" said Dexter eagerly, and he held up one. 

"Smelts, " said the man, with a peculiar look. "Come fishing?"

"Yes, " said Bob sharply. "We've come for a day or two's fishing. "

"That's right, " said the man, with a smile that was a little lesspleasant than his scowl. "I'm a fisherman too. "

"Oh, are yer?" said Bob. 

"Yes, that's what I am. "

"He ain't after us, " whispered Bob. "It's all right. "

Dexter did not feel as if it was. He had an innate dislike to the man, who looked furtive and underhanded. 

"Got a tidy boat there, " said the man at last. 

"Yes, she's a good un to go along, " said Bob. 

"Wouldn't sell her, I s'pose!" said the man. 

"What should we sell her for?" said Bob, hooking and landing a fishcoolly enough. 

"I d'know. Thought you might want to part with her, " said the man. "Iwouldn't mind giving fifteen shillings for a boat like that. "

"Yah!" cried Bob mockingly. "Why, she's worth thirty at least. "

"Bob!" whispered Dexter excitedly. "You mustn't sell her. "

"You hold your tongue. "

"I wouldn't give thirty shillings for her, " said the man, coming closenow and mooring his own crazy craft by holding on to the gunwale of thegig. "She's too old. "

"That she ain't, " cried Bob. "Why, she's nearly new. "

"Not she. Only been varnished up, that's all. I'll give you a poundfor her. "

"No, " said Bob, to Dexter's great relief. 

"I'll give you a pound for her, and my old 'un chucked in, " said theman. "It's more than she's worth, but I know a man who wants such aboat as that. "

"You mustn't sell her, Bob, " whispered Dexter, who was now in agony. 

"You hold your row. I know what I'm a-doing of. "

"Look here, " said the man, "I'm going a little farder, and I'll fetchthe money, and then if you like to take it we'll trade. It's more'nshe's worth, though, and you'd get my little boat in, as is as good aboat as ever swum. "

He pushed off and rowed away, while, as soon as he was out of sight, Dexter attacked his companion with vigour. 

"We mustn't sell her, Bob, " he said. 

"Why not? She's our'n now. "

"No, she isn't; and we've promised to take her back. "

"Look here!" said Bob, "have you got any money?"

"No, but we shan't want any as soon as we get to the island. "

"Yes, we shall, and a pound would be no end of good. "

"But we would have to give up our voyage. "

"No, we shouldn't. We'd make his boat do. "

"But it's such a shabby one. We mustn't sell the boat, Bob. "

"Look here! I'm captain, and I shall do as I like. "

"Then I shall tell the man the boat isn't ours. "

"If you do I'll knock your eye out. See if I don't, " cried Bobfiercely. 

Dexter felt hot, and his fists clenched involuntarily, but he sat verystill. 

"If I like to sell the boat I shall. We want the money, and the otherboat will do. "

"I say it won't, " said Dexter sharply. 

"Why, hullo!" cried Bob, laughing. "Here's cheek. "

"I don't care, it would be stealing Sir James's boat, and I say itshan't be done. "

"Oh, yer do--do yer!" said Bob, in a bullying tone. 

"You won't be happy till I've given you such a licking as'll make yerteeth ache. Now, just you hold your row, and wait till I gets yerashore, and you shall have it. I'd give it to yer now, only I shouldknock yer overboard and drown'd yer, and I don't want to do that thefirst time. "

Bob went on fishing, and Dexter sat biting his lip, and feeling as heused to feel when he had had a caning for something he had not done. 

"I shall do just as I please, " said Bob, giving his head a waggle, as ifto show his authority. "So you've got to sit still and look on. And ifyou says anything about where the boat came from, I shall tell the manyou took it. "

"And, if you do, I shall tell him it's a lie, " cried Dexter, as fiercelyas his companion; and just then he saw the man coming back. 

CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE. 

BOB ASKS A QUESTION. 

"Caught any more?" said the man. 

"Only one, " replied Bob. 

"Ah! I could show you a place where you could pull 'em up likeanything. I say, though, the boat ain't worth a pound. "

"Oh yes, she is, " said Bob. 

"Not a pound and the boat too. "

"Yes, she is, " said Bob, watching Dexter the while out of the corner ofone eye. 

"I wouldn't give a pound for her, only there's a man I know wants justsuch a boat. "

Dexter sat up, looking very determined, and ready to speak when hethought that the proper time had come, and Bob kept on watching him. 

"Look here!" said the man, "as you two's come out fishing, I'll give youfifteen shillings and my boat, and that's more than yours is worth. "

"No, you won't, " said Bob. 

"Well, sixteen, then. Come, that's a shilling too much. "

Bob shook his head, hooked, and took a good-sized smelt off his hook. 

"It's more than I care to give, " said the man, who grew warm as Bobseemed cold. "There, I'll go another shilling--seventeen. "

Bob still shook his head, and Dexter sat ready to burst out into anexplosion of anger and threat if his companion sold the boat. 

"Nineteen, then, " said the man. "Nineteen, and my old un as rides thewater like a duck. You won't?"

"No, " said Bob. 

"Well, then, " cried the man, "I'm off. "

"All right, " said Bob coolly. 

"There, I'll give you the twenty shillings, but you'll have to give mesixpence back. Look here! I've got the money. "

He showed and rattled the pound's worth of silver he had. 

"Come on. You get into my boat, and I'll get into yours. "

"No, yer won't, " said Bob. "I won't sell it. "

"What!" cried the man angrily, and he raised one of his oars from thewater. 

"I won't sell, " cried Bob, seizing the oars as he dropped his rod intothe boat. 

"You mean to tell me that you're going to make a fool of me like that!"

He began to pull the little tub in which he sat toward the gig, but Bobwas too quick for him. The gig glided through the water at double therate possible to the old craft, and though it was boy against man, theformer could easily hold his own. 

Fortunately they were not moored to the bank or the event might havebeen different, for the man had raised his oar as if with the intentionof striking the boat in which the boys were seated. 

"Here, you, stop!" he shouted. 

Bob replied in dumb show with his sculls, dipping them as fast as hecould, and looking very pale the while, till they were well out ofreach, when he rested for a moment, and yelled back in defiant tones theone word--

"Yah!"

"All right, my lads, " shouted the fellow. "I know yer. You stole thatboat, that's what you've done!"

"Row hard, Bob!" whispered Dexter. 

"It's all very fine to say row hard. You kitch hold and help. "

Dexter readily seized the second scull, and began to pull with so muchenergy and effect that they had soon passed the muddy creek up which theman had gone and come, and before long he was out of sight. 

"It was all your fun, Bob, " said Dexter, as they went on. "I thoughtyou meant to sell the boat. "

"So I did, " grumbled Bob; "only you were so disagreeable about it. Howare we to get on for money when mine's all done!"

"I don't know, " said Dexter dolefully. "Can't we work for some?"

"Yah! How can we work? I say, though, he knew you'd stolen the boat. "

"I didn't steal it, and it isn't stolen, " said Dexter indignantly. "Iwrote and told Sir James that we had only borrowed it, and I sent somemoney, and I shall send some more if we cannot find a way to get itback. "

"See if they don't call it stealing, " said Bob grimly. "Look there atthe her'ns. "

He nodded toward where a couple of the tall birds were standingheel-deep in the shallow water, intent upon their fishing, and so wellaccustomed to being preserved that they did not attempt to rise fromtheir places. 

Dexter was so much interested in the birds that he forgot all abouttheir late adventure. 

Then they rowed on for about a couple of hours, and their nextproceeding was to look out for a suitable spot for their meal. 

There were no high cliff-like banks now, but here and there, alternatingwith meadows, patches of woodland came down to the water's edge, and atone of these they stopped, fastened the boat to a tree where it wasquite out of sight; and now for the first time they began to see boatspassing along. 

So far the little tub in which the would-be purchaser of their gig wasseated was the only one they had seen on the water, but they wereapproaching a village now, and in low places they had seen high posts ashort distance from the water's edge, on which were festooned long netssuch as were used for the salmon at the time they run. 

As soon as they had landed, a fire was lit, the fish cleaned, and theremainder of the bread and butter left from the last meal broughtashore. After which, as an experiment, it was decided to roast thesmelts before the blaze, a task they achieved with more or less success. 

As each fish was deemed sufficiently cooked it was eaten at once--apiece of bread forming the plate--and, with the exception of wantingsalt, declared to be delicious. 

"Ever so much better than chub, Bob, " said Dexter, to which for a wonderthat young gentleman agreed. 

Evening soon came on, and as it was considered doubtful whether theycould find as satisfactory a place for their night's rest as that wherethey were, it was decided to stop, and go on at sunrise next morning. 

"We shall get to the sea to-morrow, " said Bob, as he began to yawn. "I'm jolly glad of it, for I'm tired of the river, and I want to catchcod-fish and soles, and something big. Whatcher yawning for?"

"I'm tired and sleepy, " said Dexter, as he sat upon the roots of an oldtree, three or four yards from the water's edge. 

"Yah! you're always sleepy, " said Bob. 

"But I had to keep watch while you slept. "

"So you will have to again. "

"But that isn't fair, " said Dexter, in ill-used tones. "It's your turnto watch now. "

"Well, I'll watch half the night, if you watch the other, " said Bob. "That's fair, isn't it?"

"Yes. "

"Then I shall lie down now, and you can call me when it's twelveo'clock. "

"But I shan't know when it is, " protested Dexter. 

"Well, I ain't particular, " said Bob, stretching himself beneath thetree. "Guess what you think's fair half, and I'll get up then. "

"But will you get up!" said Dexter. 

"Of course I will, if you call loud enough. There, don't bother, I'mever so tired with rowing, and I shall go to sleep at once. "

Bob kept his word as soon as darkness had set in, and Dexter satlistening to the lapping of the water, and wondered whether, if theycamped out like this in a foreign land, crocodiles would come out of therivers and attack them. 

He sat down, for he soon grew tired of standing and walking about, andlistened to Bob's heavy breathing, for the boy had gone off at once. 

It was very dark under the trees, and he could only see the glint of astar from time to time. It felt cold too, but as he drew himself closetogether with his chin down upon his knees he soon forgot that, andbegan thinking about the two owls he had heard the past night. Then hethought about the long-legged herons he had seen fishing in the water;then about their own fishing, and what capital fish the smelts were. 

From that he began to think about hunting out the cray-fish from thebanks, and how one of the little things had nipped his fingers quitesharply. 

Next he began to wonder what Helen Grayson thought about him, and whatthe doctor had said, and whether he should ever see them again, andwhether he should like Bob any better after a time, when camping outwith him, and how long it would be before they reached one of thebeautiful hot countries, where you could gather cocoa-nuts off the treesand watch the lovely birds as they flitted round. 

And then he thought about how long it would be before he might ventureto call Bob. 

And then he began thinking about nothing at all. 

When he opened his eyes next it was morning, with the sun shiningbrightly, and the birds singing, and Bob Dimsted had just kicked him inthe side. 

"Here, I say, wake up, " he cried. "Why, you've been to sleep. "

"Have I!" said Dexter sheepishly, as he stared helplessly at hiscompanion. 

"Have yer? Yes; of course yer have, " cried Bob angrily. "Ain't to betrusted for a moment. You're always a-going to sleep. Whatcher beenand done with that there boat!"

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX. 

IN DIRE STRAITS. 

"Done with the boat?"

"I haven't done anything with the boat. "

"Then where is it?"

"Fastened up to that old tree. "

"Oh, is it!" cried Bob derisively. "I should like to see it, then. Come and show me!"

Dexter ran to the water's edge, and found the place on the bark wherethe chain had rubbed the trunk, but there was no sign of the boat. 

"Now then, " cried Bob fiercely, "where is it?"

"I don't know, " said Dexter dolefully. "Yes, I do, " he cried. "Thechain must have come undone, and it's floating away. "

"Oh, is it?" said Bob derisively. "Then you'd better go and find it!"

"Go and find it?"

"Yes; we can't go to sea in our boots, can we, stoopid?"

"But which way shall I go, Bob? Sometimes the tide runs up, andsometimes it runs down. "

"Yes, and I'll make you run up and down. You're a nice un, you are! Ijust shet my eyes for a few minutes, and trust you to look after theboat, and when I wake up again you're fass asleep, and the boat gone. "

"I'm very sorry, Bob, but I was so tired. "

"Tired! You tired! What on? Here, go and find that boat!"

Dexter started off, and ran along the bank in one direction, while Bobwent in the other, and at the end of half an hour Dexter came backfeeling miserable and despondent as he had never felt before. 

"Found it, Bob!" he said. 

For answer his companion threw himself down upon his face, and beganbeating the ground with his fists, as if it were a drum. 

"I've looked along there as far as I could go, " said Dexter sadly. "What shall we do!"

"I wish this here was your stoopid head, " snarled Bob, as he hammeredaway at the bare ground beneath the tree. "I never see such a chap!"

"But what shall we do?" said Dexter again. 

"Do? I dunno, and I don't care. You lost the boat, and you've got tofind it. "

"Let's go on together and walk all along the bank till we find somebodywho has seen it. "

"And when we do find 'em d'yer think they'll be such softs as to give itto us back again!" This was a startling question. 

"I know 'em, " said Bob. "They'll want to know where we got it from, andhow we come by it, and all sorts o' nonsense o' that kind. Say we ain'tno right to it. I know what they'll say. "

"But p'r'aps it's floating about?"

"P'r'aps you're floating about!" cried Bob, with a snarl. "Boat likethat don't go floating about without some one in it, and if it does someone gets hold of it, and says it's his. "

This was a terrible check to their adventurous voyage, as unexpected asit was sudden, and Dexter looked dolefully up in his companion's face. 

"I know'd how it would be, and I was a stoopid to bring such a chap asyou, " continued Bob, who seemed happiest when he was scolding. "You'velost the boat, and we shall have to go back. "

"Go back!" cried Dexter, with a look of horror, as he saw in imaginationthe stern countenance of the doctor, his tutor's searching eyes, Helen'slook of reproach, and Sir James Danby waiting to ask him what had becomeof the boat, while Master Edgar seemed full of triumph at his downfall. 

"Go back?" No he could not go back. He felt as if he would rather jumpinto the river. 

"We shall both get a good leathering, and that won't hurt so very much. "

A good leathering! If it had been only the thrashing, Dexter felt thathe would have suffered that; but his stay at the doctor's had broughtforth other feelings that had been lying dormant, and now the thrashingseemed to him the slightest part of the punishment that he would have toface. No: he could not go back. 

"Well, whatcher going to do!" said Bob at last, with provoking coolness. "You lost the boat, and you've got to find it. "

"I will try, Bob, " said Dexter humbly. "But come and help me. "

"Help yer? Why should I come and help yer? You lost it, I tell yer. "

Bob jumped up and doubled his fists. 

"Now then, " he said; "get on, d'yer hear? get on--get on!"

At every word he struck out at Dexter, giving him heavy blows on thearms--in the chest--anywhere he could reach. 

Dexter's face became like flame, but he contented himself with trying toavoid the blows. 

"Look here!" he cried suddenly. 

"No, it's you've got to look here, " cried Bob. "You've got to find thatthere boat. "

Dexter had had what he thought was a bright idea, but it was only aspark, and it died out, leaving his spirit dark once more, and he seemednow to be face to face with the greatest trouble of his life. All hiscares at the Union, and then at the doctor's, sank into insignificancebefore this terrible check to their adventure. For without the boat howcould they get out of England? They could not borrow another. Therewas a great blank before him just at this outset of his career, and tryhow he would to see something beyond he could find nothing: all wasblank, hopeless, and full of despair. 

Had his comrade been true to him, and taken his share of the troubles, it would have been bad enough; but it was gradually dawning upon Dexterthat the boy he had half-idolised for his cleverness and generalknowledge was a contemptible, ill-humoured bully--a despicable youngtyrant, ready to seize every opportunity to oppress. 

"Are you a-going?" cried Bob, growing more brutal as he found that hisvictim made no resistance, and giving him a blow on the jaw which senthim staggering against one of the trees. 

This was too much; and recovering himself Dexter was about to dash athis assailant when he stopped short, for an idea that seemedincontrovertible struck him so sharply that it drove away all thought ofthe brutal blow he had received. 

"I know, Bob, " he cried. 

"Know? What d'yer know?"

"Where the boat is. "

"Yer do?"

"Yes: that man followed us and took it away. "

Bob opened his mouth, and half-closed his eyes to stare at hiscompanion, as he balanced this idea in his rather muddy brain. 

"Don't you see?" cried Dexter excitedly. 

"Come arter us and stole it!" said Bob slowly. 

"Yes: he must have watched us, and waited till we were asleep. "

"Go on with you!"

"He did. I feel as sure as sure, " cried Dexter. 

There was a pause during which Bob went on balancing the matter in hismind. 

"He has taken it up the river, and he thinks we shall be afraid to goafter it. "

"Then he just thinks wrong, " said Bob, nodding his head a good deal. "Ithought something o' that kind a bit ago, but you made me so wild Iforgot it again. "

"But you see now, Bob. "

"See? O' course I do. I'll just let him know--a thief. Here, come on, and we'll drop on to him with a policeman, and show him what stealingboats means. "

"No, no, Bob, we can't go with a policeman. Let's go ourselves, andmake him give it up. "

"But s'pose he won't give it to us!"

"We should have to take it, " said Dexter excitedly. 

"Come on, then. He's got my fishing-tackle too, and--why just look atthat! Did you put them there?"

He darted to where his bundle and rough fishing-rod lay among the trees. 

"No; he must have thrown them out. Let's make haste. We know where theboat is now!"

The boys started at once, and began to tramp back along the side of theriver in the hope of finding the place where the boat was moored; butbefore they had gone far it was to find that floating down with thestream, or even rowing against the tide, was much easier work thanforcing their way through patches of alder-bushes, swampy meadows, leaping, and sometimes wading, little inlets and ditches and the like. 

Their progress was very slow, the sun very hot, and at least a dozentimes now they came upon spots which struck both as being the muddy bankoff which they had captured the smelts. 

It was quite afternoon before they were convinced, for their furtherpassage was stopped by the muddy inlet up which they had seen the manrow, and not a hundred yards away was the bank under which they hadfished. 

"Sure this is the place?" said Bob, as he crouched among some osiers andlooked cautiously round. 

"Yes, " said Dexter; "I'm certain this is the place. I saw him row uphere. But--"

"But what?"

"He'd be quite sure not to take the boat up here. "

"Why not?"

"For fear we should come after it. "

"Get out! Where would he take it, then?"

"He'd hide it somewhere else; perhaps on the other side. Look!"

Dexter pointed up the river to where, about a couple of hundred yardsfurther on, a boat could be seen just issuing from a bed of reeds. 

Bob seized Dexter's arm to force him lower down among the osiers, but itwas not necessary, for they were both well concealed; and as theycontinued there watching it was to see the boat come slowly toward them, and in a few minutes they were satisfied that it was the man theysought, propelling it slowly toward where they stooped. 

The fellow came along in a furtive manner, looking sharply round fromtime to time, as if scanning the river to see if he was observed. 

He came on and on till he reached the creek at whose mouth the boys werehidden, and as he came so close that they felt it impossible that theycould remain unseen he suddenly ceased rowing, and stood up to shade hiseyes from the sunshine, and gaze sharply down the river for someminutes. 

Then giving a grunt as of satisfaction he reseated himself, and rowedslowly up the creek, till he disappeared among the osiers and reedswhich fringed its muddy banks. 

As he passed up he disturbed a shoal of large fish which came surgingdown, making quite a wave in the creek, till they reached the river, where all was still. 

"The boat's up there, Bob, " said Dexter, after a long silence, so as togive the man time to get well out of hearing. 

"Yes, but how are we to get to it?"

"Wade, " said Dexter laconically. "'Tain't deep, only muddy. "

To cross the creek was necessary, and Bob softly let himself down fromthe bank till his feet were level with the water, then taking hold of astout osier above his head he bent it down, and then dropped slowly intothe water, which came nearly to his waist. 

"Come on!" he said, and after getting to the end of the osier he usedhis rod as a guide to try the depth, and with some difficulty, and thewater very nearly to his chest, he got over. 

Dexter did not hesitate, but followed, and began to wade, feeling hisfeet sink at every step into the sticky mud, and very glad to seize holdof the end of the rod Bob was civil enough to hold to him from thefurther bank, up which they both crept, dripping like water-rats, andhid among the osiers on the other side. 

"Come on, " whispered Bob, and with the mud and water trickling from themthey crept along through quite a thicket of reeds, osiers, and thered-flowered willow-herb, while great purple patches of loosestrifeblossomed above their heads. 

Every step took them further from the enemy, but they kept down in theirstooping position, and a few yards from the bank of the river, feelingsure that they could not miss their way; and so it proved, for afterwhat seemed to be an interminable journey they found themselves stoppedby just such another creek as that which they had left, save and exceptthat the mouth was completely hidden by a bed of reeds some of whichshowed where a boat had lately passed through. 

Whether their boat was there or not they could not tell, but it seemedeasy to follow up the creek from the side they were on, and they creptalong through the water-growth, which was thicker here than ever, butkeeping as close as they could to the side, the scarped bank being abouteight feet above the water. 

The creek was not above twenty feet wide, and, from the undisturbedstate of the vegetation which flourished down its banks to where thetide seemed to rise, it seemed as if it was a rare thing for a boat topass along. 

They stopped at every few yards to make sure that they were not passingthat of which they were in search, looking carefully up and down, whilethe creek twined so much that they could never see any extent of waterat a time. 

They must have wound in and out for quite three hundred yards, when, allat once, as they stooped there, panting and heated with the exercise, and with the hot sun beating down upon their heads, Dexter, who was infront, stopped short, for on his right the dense growth of reedssuddenly ceased, and on peering out it was to see a broad opening wherethey had been cut down, while within thirty yards stood a large stack ofbundles, and beside it a rough-looking hut, toward which the man theyhad seen rowing up the other creek was walking. 

They had come right upon his home, which seemed to be upon a reedyisland formed by the two creeks and the river. 

The boys crouched down, afraid to stir, and watching till they saw theman enter the rough reed-thatched hut, when, moving close to the edge ofthe bank, they crept on again after a few moments' hesitation, connectedwith an idea of making a retreat. 

Their perseverance was rewarded, for not fifty yards further on theylooked down upon what seemed to be a quantity of reeds floating at theside of the creek, but one bundle had slipped off, and there, plainlyenough, was the gunwale of the boat, the reeds having been laid acrossit to act as a concealment in case any one should glance carelessly upthe creek. 

"Come on, Bob, " whispered Dexter; and he let himself slide down into themuddy water as silently as he could, and began to tumble the bundles ofreeds off into the creek. 

Bob followed his example, and, to their great delight, they found thatthe sculls and boat-hook were still in their places, while theboat-chain was secured to a stake thrust down into the mud. 

This was soon unloosed after they had climbed in, dripping, and coveringthe cushions with mud, but all that was forgotten in the delight ofhaving found the boat. 

"Now, Bob, you row softly down and I'll use the boat-hook, " whisperedDexter, as he stood up in the stern, while Bob sat down, seized theoars, and laid them in the rowlocks, ready to make the first stroke, when high above them on the bank they heard a quick, rushing noise, anddirectly after, to their horror, there stood, apparently too muchdumbfounded to speak, the man they had seen a few minutes before goinginto the reed hut. 

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. 

SECOND-HAND STEALING. 

"Here, you, sir! stop!" he roared. 

"Pull away, Bob!" whispered Dexter, for Bob had paused, half-paralysedby the nearness of the danger. But he obeyed the second command, andtugged at the oars. 

"D'yer hear!" roared the man, with a furious string of oaths. "Holdhard or I'll--"

He did not say what, but made a gesture as if striking with a greatforce. 

"Don't speak, Bob: pull hard, " whispered Dexter, bending forward in theboat so as to reach the rower, and encourage him to make fresh efforts, while, for his part, he kept his eyes upon the man. 

"D'yer hear what I say?" he roared again. "What d'yer mean by cominghere to steal my boat?"

"'Tain't yours, " cried Dexter. 

"What? Didn't I buy it of yer and pay for it?"

"You came and stole it while we were asleep, you thief!" cried Dexteragain. 

"Say I stole yer boat and I'll drown'd yer, " cried the man, forcing hisway through the reeds and osiers so as to keep up with them. "If youdon't take that back it'll be the worse for yer. Stop! D'yer hear?Stop!"

Bob stopped again, for the man's aspect was alarming, and every momenthe seemed as if he was about to leap from the high bank. 

Fortunately for all parties he did not do this, as if he had reached theedge of the boat he must have capsized it, and if he had leaped into thebottom, he must have gone right through. 

Bob did not realise all this; but he felt certain that the man wouldjump, and, with great drops of fear upon his forehead he kept onstopping as the man threatened, and, but for Dexter's urging, the boatwould have been given up. 

"I can hear yer, " the man roared, with a fierce oath. "I hear yertelling him to row. Just wait till I get hold of you, my gentleman!"

"Row, Bob, row!" panted Dexter, "as soon as we're out in the river weshall be safe. "

"But he'll be down upon us d'reckly, " whispered Bob. 

"Go on rowing, I tell you, he daren't jump. "

"You won't stop, then, won't yer?" cried the man. "If yer don't stopI'll drive a hole through the bottom, and sink yer both. "

"No, he won't, " whispered Dexter. "Row, Bob, row! He can't reach us, and he has nothing to throw. "

Bob groaned, but he went on rowing; and in his dread took the boat sonear the further side that he kept striking one scull against the muddybank, and then, in his efforts to get room to catch water, he thrust thehead of the boat toward the bank where the man was stamping with fury, and raging at them to go back. 

This went on for a hundred yards, and they were still far from the openriver, when the man gave a shout at them and ran on, disappearing amongthe low growth on the bank. 

"Now, Bob, he has gone, " said Dexter excitedly, "pull steadily, and ashard as you can. Mind and don't run her head into the bank, or we shallbe caught. "

Bob looked up at him with a face full of abject fear and misery, but hewas in that frame of weak-mindedness which made him ready to obey anyone who spoke, and he rowed on pretty quickly. 

Twice over he nearly went into the opposite bank, with the risk ofgetting the prow stuck fast in the clayey mud, but a drag at the leftscull saved it, and they were getting rapidly on now, when all at onceDexter caught sight of their enemy at a part of the creek where itnarrowed and the bank overhung a little. 

The man had run on to that spot, and had lain down on his chest, so asto be as far over as he could be to preserve his balance, and he wasreaching out with his hands, and a malicious look of satisfaction was inhis face, as the boat was close upon him before Dexter caught sight ofhim, Bob of course having his back in the direction they were going. 

"Look out, Bob, " shouted Dexter. "Pull your right! pull your right!"

Bob was so startled that he looked up over his shoulder, saw the enemy, and tugged at the wrong oar so hard that he sent the boat right towardthe overhanging bank. 

"I've got yer now, have I, then?" roared the man fiercely; and as theboat drifted towards him he reached down and made a snatch with his handat Dexter's collar. 

As a matter of course the boy ducked down, and the man overbalancedhimself. 

For a moment it seemed as if he would come down into the boat, overwhich he hung, slanting down and clinging with both hands now, andglaring at them with his mouth open and his eyes starting, looking forall the world like some huge gargoyle on the top of a cathedral tower. 

"Stop!" he roared; and then he literally turned over and came so nearlyinto the boat that he touched the stern as it passed, and the water heraised in a tremendous splash flew all over the boys. 

"Now, Bob, pull, pull, pull!" cried Dexter, stamping his foot as helooked back and saw the man rise out of the water to come splashingafter them for a few paces; but wading through mud and water was not theway to overtake a retreating boat, and to Dexter's horror he saw thefellow struggle to the side and begin to scramble up the bank. 

Once he slipped back; but he began to clamber up again, and his head wasabove the edge when, in obedience to Bob's tugging at the sculls, theboat glided round one of the various curves of the little creek and shuthim from their view. 

"He'll drown'd us. He said he would, " whimpered Bob. "Let's leave theboat and run. "

"No, no!" cried Dexter; "pull hard, and we shall get out into the river, and he can't follow us. "

"Yes, he can, " cried Bob, blubbering now aloud. "He means it, and he'llhalf-kill us. Let's get out to this side and run. "

"Pull! I tell you, pull!" cried Dexter furiously; and Bob pulledobediently, sending the boat along fast round the curves and bends, butnot so fast but that they heard a furious rustling of the osiers andreeds, and saw the figure of the man above them on the bank. 

"There, I told you so, " whimpered Bob. "Let's get out t'other side. "

"Row, I tell you!" roared Dexter; and to his surprise the man did notstop, but hurried on toward the mouth of the creek. 

"There!" cried Bob. "He's gone for his boat, and he'll stop us, andhe'll drown'd us both. "

"He daren't, " said Dexter stoutly, though he felt a peculiar sinking allthe time. 

"But he will, he will. It's no use to row. "

Dexter felt desperate now, for theirs was an awkward position; and tohis horror he saw that Bob was ceasing to row, and looking up at thebank on his left. 

"You go on rowing, " cried Dexter fiercely. 

"I shan't, " whimpered Bob; "it's of no use. I shan't row no more. "

_Thud_!

Bob yelled out, more in fear than in pain, for the sound was caused byDexter swinging the boat-hook round and striking his companion a sharprap on the side of the head. 

"Go on rowing, " cried Dexter, "and keep in the middle. "

Bob howled softly; but, like a horse that has just received anadmonition from the whip, he bent to his task, and rowed with all hismight, blubbering the while. 

"That's right, " cried Dexter, who felt astonished at his hardihood. "Wecan't be far now. Pull--pull hard. There, I can see the river. Hurray, Bob, we're nearly there!"

Bob sobbed and snuffled, and bent down over his oars, rowing as if forlife or death. The boat was speeding swiftly through the muddy water, the opening with its deep fringe of reeds was there, and Dexter wasmaking up his mind to try and direct Bob to pull right or left so as toget to the thinnest place that the boat might glide right out, when hesaw something. 

"No, Bob, only a little way, " he had said. "Pull with all your might. "

Then he stopped short and stared aghast. 

Fortunately Bob was bending down, sobbing, and straining every nerve, asif he expected another blow, otherwise he would have been chilled byDexter's look of dread, for there, just as if he had dropped from thebank and begun wading, was their enemy, who, as the boat neared, took uphis position right in the middle of the creek, where the water wasnearly to his chest, and, with the reeds at his back, waited to seizethe boat. 

Dexter stood holding the boat-hook, half-paralysed for a few moments, and then, moved by despair, he stepped over the thwart toward Bob. 

"No, no, " cried the latter, ducking down his head. "I will pull--I willpull. "

He did pull too, with all his might, and the boat was going swiftlythrough the water as Dexter stepped right over the left-hand scull, nearly toppled over, but recovered himself, and stood in the bows of theboat, as they were now within twenty yards of the man, who, wet andmuddy, stood up out of the creek like some water monster about to seizethe occupants of the boat for a meal. 

"Pull, Bob, hard!" whispered Dexter, in a low, excited voice; and Bobpulled. 

The boat sped on, and the man uttered a savage yell, when, with a cry ofhorror, Bob ceased rowing. 

But the boat had plenty of impetus, and it shot forward so swiftly that, to avoid its impact, the man drew a little on one side as he caught atthe gunwale. 

_Whop_!

Dexter struck at him with the light ash pole he held in his hand--struckat their enemy with all his might, and then turned and sat down in theboat, overcome with horror at what he had done, for he saw the man fallbackward, and the water close over his head. 

Then there was a loud hissing, rustling sound as the boat glided throughthe reeds, which bent to right and left, and rose again as they passed, hiding everything which followed. 

The next moment the force given to the boat was expended, and it stoppedoutside the reeds, but only to commence another movement, for the tidebore the bows round, and the light gig began to glide softly along. 

"I've killed him, " thought Dexter; and he turned cold with horror, wondering the while at his temerity and what would follow. 

"Was that his head?" said Bob, in rather a piteous voice, as he satthere resting upon his oars. 

"Yes, " said Dexter, in a horror-stricken whisper. "I hit him right onthe head. "

"You've been and gone and done it now, then, " whimpered Bob. "You'vekilled him. That's what you've done. Never did see such a chap asyou!"

"I couldn't help it, " said Dexter huskily. 

"Yes, that's what you always says, " cried Bob, in an ill-used tone. "Iwish I hadn't come with yer, that I do. I say, ought we to go and pickhim up? It don't matter, do it?"

"Yes, Bob; we must go back and pull him out, " said Dexter, with ashudder. "Row back through the reeds. Quick, or he may be drowned!"

"He won't want any drowning after that whack you give him on the head. I don't think I shall go back. Look! look!"

Dexter was already looking at the frantic muddy figure upon the bank, upwhich it had climbed after emerging from the reeds. The man washalf-mad with rage and disappointment, and he ran along shaking hisfists, dancing about in his fury, and shouting to the boys what he woulddo. 

His appearance worked a miraculous effect upon the two boys. Dexterfelt quite light-hearted in his relief, and Bob forgot all hissufferings and dread now that he was safely beyond their enemy's reach. Laying the blades of the sculls flat, as the boat drifted swiftly onwith the tide, he kept on splashing the water, and shouting derisively--

"Yah! yah! Who cares for you? Yah! Go home and hang yourself up todry! Yah! Who stole the boat!"

Bob's derision seemed to be like oil poured upon a fire. The man grewhalf-wild with rage. He yelled, spat at them, shook his fists, anddanced about in his impotent fury; and the more he raged, the moredelighted Bob seemed to be. 

"Yah! Who stole the boat!" he kept on crying; and then added mockingtaunts. "Here! hi!" he shouted, his voice travelling easily over thewater, so that the man heard each word. "Here! hi! Have her now?Fifteen shillings. Come on. Yah!"

"Quick, Bob, row!" cried Dexter, after several vain efforts to stop hiscompanion's derisive cries. 

"Eh?" said Bob, suddenly stopping short. 

"Row, I tell you! Don't you see what he's going to do!"

The man had suddenly turned and disappeared. 

"No, " said Bob. "I've scared him away. "

"You haven't, " said Dexter, with his feeling of dread coming back. "He's running across to the other creek to get the boat. "

Bob bent to his oars directly, and sent the gig rapidly along, and moreand more into the swift current. He rowed so as to incline toward thefurther shore, and soon after they passed the mouth of the other creek. 

"Get out with yer, " said Bob. "He ain't coming. And just you lookhere, young un; you hit me offull on the head with that there boat-hook, and as soon as ever I gits you ashore I'll make you go down on yourknees and cry _chi_--_ike_; you see if I don't, and--"

"There he is, Bob, " said Dexter excitedly; and looking toward the othercreek, there, sure enough, was the man in his wretched little tub of aboat, which he was forcing rapidly through the water, and looking overhis shoulder from time to time at the objects of his pursuit. 

Bob pulled with all his might, growing pallid and muddy of complexion asthe gig glided on. Matters had been bad enough before. Now the mapwould be ten times worse, while, to make things as bad as they could be, it soon became evident that the tide was on the turn, and that, unlessthey could stem it in the unequal battle of strength, they would beeither swept back into their enemy's arms or else right up the river ina different direction to that which they intended to go, and, with thetask before them, should they escape, of passing their enemy's lair onceagain. 

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT. 

THE CROWNING POINT OF THE TRIP. 

"Come and lay hold o' one scull, " said Bob, whose eyes seemed to befixed as he stared at the back of their enemy. "Oh, do be quick!"

Dexter slipped into his place, took the scull, and began to row. 

"Getting closer, ain't he?" whispered Bob hoarsely. "Yes. I'm afraidso. "

"Pull, pull!"

Dexter needed no telling, and he tugged away at the oar as the boatglided a little more swiftly on. 

"Ain't leaving him behind, are we!" growled Bob, whose face now grewconvulsed with horror. "No; I'm afraid he's coming nearer. "

"Oh dear, oh dear!" groaned Bob. "He'll half-kill me, and it's all yourfault. Let's stop rowing and give him the boat. "

"That we won't, " cried Dexter, setting his teeth. "I'll row till I diefirst. "

"But it'll only make him more savage, " growled Bob. "I wish I was safeat home. "

"You're not half-pulling, Bob. "

"It's of no use, matey. He's sure to ketch us, and the furder we rows, the more wild he'll be. "

"I don't care, " cried Dexter; "he shan't have it if I can help it. Row!"

In his most cowardly moments Bob was obedience itself, and breaking outinto a low sobbing whimper, as if it were a song to encourage him in histask, he rowed on with all his might, while only too plainly it could beseen that the man was gaining steadily upon them in spite of theclumsiness of his boat; and consequently it was only a question of timebefore the boys were overtaken, for the muscles of the man were certainto endure longer than those of Dexter, untrained as they were to suchwork. 

"He's closer, ain't he?" whined Bob. 

"Yes, ever so much, " replied Dexter, between his set teeth. 

"Well, jest you recollect it was you hit him that whack on the head. Ididn't do nothing. "

"Yes, you did, " said Dexter sharply. "You said, _yah_! at him, andcalled him names. "

"No, I didn't. Don't you be a sneak, " whined Bob. "You were ever somuch worse than me. Is he coming closer?"

"Yes. "

It was a fact, closer and closer, and the tide ran so strongly now thatthe boys had hard work to make much progress. They did progress, though, all the same, for their boat was narrow and sharp. Still thecurrent was dead against them, and their want of movement added to theirdespair. 

Bad as it was for them, however, it was worse for the man in his heavylittle broadly-bowed tub; and so it happened that just as Bob began torow more slowly, and burst into a fit of howling, which made Dexter feelas if he would like to turn and hit him over the head with his oar--acontact of scull against skull--the man suddenly ceased rowing, turnedin his seat, and sat shaking his fist at them, showing his teeth in hisimpotent rage. 

"There!" cried Bob, who was transformed in an instant. "We've bet him. He can't pull no further. Yah! yah!"

Bob changed back to his state of cowardly prostration, and began to tugonce more at his oar, for his derisive yell galvanised the man once moreinto action, and the pursuit was continued. 

"Oh!" howled Bob. "Who'd ha' thought o' that?"

"Who's stupid now?" panted Dexter, as he too rowed with all his might. 

Bob did nothing but groan, and the pursuit and flight were once morecontinued, each moment with despair getting a stronger hold of thefugitives. The oar felt hot in Dexter's blistered hands, a peculiarsensation of heaving was in his chest, his eyes began to swim, and hewas just about to cease rowing, when he could hardly believe hisstarting eyes--their enemy had once more given up the pursuit, and wassitting wrenched round, and staring after them. 

"Don't, pray, don't shout at him this time, Bob, " panted Dexter. 

"I won't if you're afraid, " said the young scoundrel. 

"Keep on rowing, or he'll come after us again. "

Bob's scull was dipped again directly, and the motion of the boat waskept up sufficiently to counteract the drift of the tide, while the manin the little tub was swept rapidly away. 

"Let's get over the other side to those trees, " said Dexter, as he feltthat he could row no further, and the boat's head was directedhalf-across the stream so as to reach the clump of willows indicated, where, after a much heavier pull than they had anticipated, the gig wasmade fast, and Bob's first act after laying down his scull was to leanover the side and drink heartily of the muddy water. 

Dexter would gladly have lain down to rest, but there was a watch tokeep up. 

Bob mocked at the idea. 

"Yah!" he said; "he won't some any more. I say, are you nearly dry?"

"Nearly, " said Dexter, "all but my boots and socks. "

These he took off, and put in the sun to dry, as he sat there with hiselbows on his knees, and his chin on his hands, watching till Bob wasasleep. 

He was faint and hungry, and the idea was strong in his mind that theman would steal down upon them when he was not expected. This thoughtcompletely drove away all drowsiness, though it did not affect hiscompanion in the slightest degree. 

The next thing ought to have been to get some food, but there was nolikely place within view, and though several boats and a barge or twopassed, the fear of being questioned kept the watcher from hailing them, and asking where he could get some bread and milk. 

The hours glided slowly by, but there was no sign of the shabby littleboat. The tide ran up swiftly, and the gig swung easily from its chain;and as Dexter sat there, hungry and lonely, he could not keep histhoughts at times from the doctor's comfortable house. 

Towards evening the socks and boots were so dry that Dexter replacedthem, looking down the while rather ruefully at his mud-stainedtrousers. He rubbed them and scratched the patches with his nails; butthe result was not satisfactory, and once more he sat gazing up theriver in expectation of seeing their enemy come round the bend. 

It was getting late, and the tide had turned, as Dexter knew at once bythe way in which the boat had swung round with its bows now pointingup-stream. And now seemed the time when the man might appear once morein pursuit. 

The thought impressed him so that he leaned over and shook Bob, who satup and stared wonderingly about. 

"Hallo!" he said. "What time is it!"

"I don't know, but the tide has turned, and that man may come after usagain. "

"Nay, he won't come any more, " said Bob confidently. "Let's go and getsomething to eat. "

It was a welcome proposal, and the boat being unmoored, Dexter took oneof the sculls, and as they rowed slowly down with the tide he kept hiseyes busy watching for the coming danger, but it did not appear. 

Bob went ashore at a place that looked like a ferry, where there was alittle public-house, and this time returned with a small loaf, a pieceof boiled bacon, and a bottle of cider. 

"I'd ha' brought the bacon raw, and we'd ha' cooked it over a fire, "said Bob, "only there don't seem to be no wood down here, and there'ssuch lots of houses. "

Dexter did not feel troubled about the way in which the bacon wasprepared, but sat in the boat, as it drifted with the tide, and ate hisportion ravenously, but did not find the sour cider to his taste. 

By the time they had finished, it was growing dark, and lights weretwinkling here and there on either bank, showing that they were now in awell-populated part. 

"Where are we to sleep to-night, Bob?" said Dexter at last. 

"Dunno yet. Can't see no places. "

"We must be near the sea now, mustn't we?"

"Yes, pretty handy to it, " said Bob, with the confidence of one in utterignorance. "We shall be there to-morrow, and then we can catch heaps ofcod-fish, and soles, and mack'rel, and find oysters. It'll be all rightthen. "

This was encouraging, but somehow Dexter did not feel so much confidencein his companion as of old. 

But Bob's rest, and the disappearance of danger had brought him back tohis former state, and he was constantly making references to thedeparted enemy. 

"I should just liked to have ketched him touching me!" he said. "I'dha' give his shins such a kicking as would soon have made him cry `Leaveoff. '"

Dexter sat and stared through the gloom at the young Gascon. 

"I'd ha' soon let him know what he'd get if he touched me. "

"Hi, Bob! look out!"

Bob uttered a cry of dread, and nearly jumped overboard as somethingstill and dark suddenly loomed up above him. Then there was a bump, which nearly finished what the boy had felt disposed to do; and thenthey were gliding along by the side of a vessel anchored in midstream. 

As they swept past the stern the boat bumped again against somethingblack and round, which proved to be a floating tub. With this theyseemed to have become entangled, for there was a rasping grating noise, then the boat's chain began to run rapidly over the bows, the boat swunground, and their further progress was checked. A piece of the chainwith the hook had been left hanging over, and when they had touched thetub buoy the hook had caught, and they were anchored some littledistance astern the large vessel. 

"Here's a game!" cried Bob, as soon as he had recovered from hisastonishment. "Well, we can't go on in the dark. Let's stop here. "

"But we've got to find a place to sleep, Bob, " protested Dexter. 

"Yah! you're always wanting to go to sleep. There ain't no place tosleep ashore, so let's sleep in the boat. Why, we shall always have tobunk down there when we get out to sea. "

"But suppose the boat should sink?"

"Yah! suppose it did. We'd swim ashore. Only mind you don't get outerbed in the night and walk into the water. I don't want to go to sleepat all. "

Dexter did not feel drowsy, but again he could not help thinking of hisroom with the white hangings, and of how pleasant it would be to takeoff his clothes once more and lie between sheets. 

"Some chaps is always thinking about going to bed, " said Bob jauntily. "Long as I gets a nap now and then, that's all I want. "

Dexter did not know it, but Bob Dimsted was a thorough-paced second-handboy. Every expression of this kind was an old one, such as he had heardfrom his father, or the rough men who consorted with him, from thebullying down to the most playful remark. But, as aforesaid, Dexter didnot realise all this. He had only got as far as the fact that Bob wasnot half so nice as he used to be, and that, in spite of his boastingand bullying, he was not very brave when put to the test. 

"There, I shan't go to sleep yet. You can have one o' them cushinsforward, " said Bob at last; and, suffering now from a sudden feeling ofweariness, Dexter took one of the cushions forward, placed it so as tobe as comfortable as possible, realising as he did this that, in spiteof his words, Bob was doing the same with two cushions to his one, andbefore he had been lying there long, listening to the rippling of thewater, and gazing up at the stars, a hoarse, wheezing noise proclaimedthe fact that Bob Dimsted was once more fast asleep. 

Dexter was weary now in the extreme, the exertion and excitement he hadgone through had produced, in connection with the irregular feeding, astate of fatigue that under other circumstances might have resulted inhis dropping off at once, but now he could only lie and listen, and keephis eyes dilated and wide open, staring for some danger which seemed asif it must be near. 

He did not know what the danger might be, unless it was that man withthe boat, but something seemed to threaten, and he could not sleep. 

Then, too, he felt obliged to think about Bob and about their journey. Where they were going, what sort of a place it would be, and whetherthey would be any more happy when they got to some beautiful island; forhe was fain to confess that matters were very miserable now, and thatthe more he saw of Bob Dimsted the less he liked him. 

He was in the midst of one of his thoughtful moods, with Bob for histheme, and asking himself what he should do if Bob did begin to thrashhim first time they were on shore; and he had just come to theconclusion that he would not let Bob thrash him if he could help it, when Bob suddenly leaped forward and hit him a round-handed sort ofblow, right in the back of the neck. 

This so enraged him that he forgot directly all about companionship, andthe sort of tacit brotherly compact into which they had entered, andspringing at his assailant he struck him a blow in the chest, which senthim staggering back. 

For a moment or two Bob seemed to be beaten; then he came at himfuriously, the turf was trampled and slippery, and they both went down;then they got up again, and fought away, giving and taking blows, everyone of which sounded with a loud slap. 

That fight seemed as if it would never end, and Dexter felt as if hewere getting the worst of it, consequent upon an inherent dislike toinflict pain, and his having passed over again and again opportunitiesfor administering effective blows. At last they joined in what becamelittle more than a wrestle, and Dexter felt the ground giving waybeneath his feet; the back of his neck hurt him terribly, and he wasabout to give in, when the boys began to cheer, Mr Sibery ran up withthe cane, and the doctor came looking stern and frowning, while he sawHelen Grayson put her hand to her eyes and turn away. 

"It's all Bob Dimsted's fault, " he cried passionately; and he woke upwith the words upon his lips, and a crick in the back of his neck, consequent upon the awkward cramped-up position in which he had lain. 

It was broad daylight, and for a few moments he was too much confused tounderstand where he was; but as he realised it all, and cast a quicklook round in search of danger, he saw that they were hooked on to theslimy buoy, that twenty yards further there was the hull of an oldschooner, against which they had been nearly capsized the previousevening, and four or five hundred yards beyond that, slowly paddlingalong, was their enemy, looking over his shoulder as if he had seenthem, and meant to make sure of them now. 

Dexter hesitated between wakening Bob and setting the boat adrift. 

He decided on doing the latter, and hauling on the chain, he drew theboat right up to the buoy, followed the chain with his hands till hecould touch the hook, and after some difficulty, his efforts remindinghim of the night when he unfastened the chain in the boat-house--hedragged the hook from where it clung to a great rusty link, and all thetime his eyes were as much fixed upon the man in the boat as upon thetask he had in hand. 

Clear at last, and drifting away again. That was something towardssafety, and he now stepped over the thwarts and shook Bob. 

Bob was too comfortable to open his eyes, and no matter what hiscompanion did he could get no reply till he bent lower, and, inspired bythe coming danger, shouted in his ear--

"I've got yer at last. "

Bob sprang up as if electrified, saw who spoke, and was about to burstinto a torrent of angry abuse, when he followed the direction ofDexter's pointing hand, caught the approaching danger, and seized anoar. 

It was none too soon, for as Dexter seized the other, the man evidentlyrealised that his prey was about to make another effort to escape, and, bending to his work, he sent the little tub-like boat surging throughthe water. 

"Pull, Bob!" said Dexter excitedly, an unnecessary order, for Bob hadset his teeth, and, with his face working, was tugging so hard that itneeded all Dexter's efforts to keep the boat from being pulled into theright-hand shore. 

The chase had begun in full earnest, and for the next hour, with verylittle alteration in their positions, it kept on. Then the pace beganto tell on the boys. They had for some time been growing slower intheir strokes, and they were not pulled so well home. Bob engaged everynow and then in a dismal, despairing howl, usually just at the momentwhen Dexter thrust his oar too deeply in the water, and had hard work toget it out. 

But their natural exhaustion was not of such grave consequence as mighthave been imagined, for their pursuer was growing weary too, and hisefforts were greatly wanting in the spirit he displayed at first. Onthe other hand, though the man came on slowly, he rowed with a steady, stubborn determination, which looked likely to last all the morning, andboded ill for those of whom he was in chase. 

Bob's face was a study, but Dexter's back was toward him, and he couldnot study it. The enemy was about two hundred yards behind, andwhenever he seemed to flag a little Bob's face brightened; but so sureas the man glanced over his shoulder, and began to pull harder, theaspect of misery, dread, and pitiable helplessness Bob displayed wasludicrous; and at such times he glanced to right and left to see whichwas the nearest way to the shore. 

As Bob rowed he softly pushed off his boots. Soon after he made threeor four hard tugs at his oar, and then, by a quick movement, drew onearm out of his jacket. Then rowing with one hand he shook himself quiteclear of the garment, so as to be unencumbered when he began to swim, for that was his intention as soon as the man overtook them, and hisperil became great. 

"He wants most of all to get the boat, " he thought to himself; and soonafter he opened his heart to Dexter. 

"Lookye here!" he said, "he wants to get the boat; and if he can getthat he won't come after us. Let's row pretty close to the bank, andget ashore and run. "

"What! and leave the boat?" cried Dexter. "That I'm sure I will not. "

Dexter pulled all the harder after hearing this proposal, and Bobuttered a moan. 

All that morning the flight and pursuit were kept up, till on both sidesit became merely a light dipping of the oars, so as to keep the boats'heads straight, the tide carrying them along. 

It was plain enough now that they were getting toward the mouth of theriver, which was now quite broad. Houses were growing plentiful, bargeslay at wharves or moored with other boats in the stream, and care had tobe exercised to avoid coming in collision with the many obstacles intheir way. 

But they kept on; and though at Bob's piteous suggestion they wound inand out among the many crafts in the hope of shaking off their pursuer, it was all in vain, for he kept doggedly on after them, with thematter-of-fact determination of a weasel after a rabbit, sure of itsscent, and certain that before long the object of the pursuit wouldresign itself to its fate. 

On still in a dreary mechanical way. Dexter could hardly move his arms, and Bob was, in spite of his long experience, almost as helpless. 

"It's of no use, " the latter said at last; and he ceased rowing. 

"No, no, Bob; don't give in!" cried Dexter excitedly. "We shall soontire him out now. Row! Row!"

"Can't, " said Bob drearily. "I haven't another pull in me. "

"Then give me the other scull, and let me try. "

"Yah! you couldn't pull both, " cried Bob. "There, I'm going to try ahundred more strokes, and then I shall swim ashore. I ain't going tolet him catch me. "

"Pull, then, a hundred more, " cried Dexter excitedly. "Oh, do make ittwo, Bob! He'll be tired out by then. "

"I'm a-going to pull a hundred, " grumbled Bob, "and then give it up. Now then!"

The sculls splashed the water almost together, and for a few strokes theboys pulled vigorously and well; but it was like the last bright flashesof an expiring candle, and long before the half-hundred was reached thedippings of the blades grew slower and slower. Then they becameirregular, while, to add to the horror of the position, the man inpursuit seemed to have been keeping a reserve of strength ready for suchan emergency, and he now came on rapidly. 

Bob would have proposed putting ashore once more, but, in avoiding thevarious crafts, they had now contrived to be about midstream, and in hishorror and dread of the coming enemy all thought of scheming seemed tohave been driven out of his head. 

He uttered a despairing yell, and began to tug at his oar once more;Dexter followed his example, and the distance again increased. 

But only for a few minutes, then they seemed to be growing weaker, theirarms became like lead; their eyes grew dim, and the end was very near. 

"Ah, I've got yer at last, have I?" shouted the man, who was not fortyyards away now. 

"Not yet, " muttered Dexter. "Pull, Bob, pull!"

Bob responded by going through the motion of rowing, but his scull didnot dip into the water, and, meeting with no resistance, he wentbackwards off the seat, with his heels in the air. 

Dexter jumped up, seized his companion's scull, and, weary as he was, with all the stubborn English pluck which never knows when it is beaten, he reseated himself, shipped his scull, and bent forward to try, inexperienced as he was, to make another effort for escape. 

As he seated himself, breathless and panting hard, he gave one glance athis enemy, then another over his shoulder at a boat on ahead, which itwould be his duty to avoid, for it seemed to be going right across histrack. 

Then he began to row, putting the little strength he had left into hislast strokes. 

"Ah, it's no good, " cried the man triumphantly. "I've got yer at last. "

"How--ow!" yelled Bob, with a cry like a Newfoundland dog shut out on acold night. 

"Drop that there rowing, or I'll--"

Dexter heard no more. He was pulling frantically, but making hardly anyway. Then he heard voices ahead, glanced round with his sculls raised, and found that he was running right toward the craft just ahead. 

Another moment and there was a bump. 

The man had driven his little tub right into the stern of the gig, andas he laid hold he snarled out--

"I knew I should ketch yer. "

"How--ow!" yelled Bob again, from where he lay on his back in the bottomof the boat, his legs still over the seat. 

_Bump_!

There was another shock, and Dexter started up, saw that he had run intothe boat ahead, and that one of the two sailors, who had been rowing, had taken hold of the bows. 

He saw that at a glance, but he also saw something else which seemed tofreeze the blood in his breast. 

For there, seated in the stern of that large boat into which he had run, were the Doctor, Sir James Danby, old Dan'l, and Peter. 

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. 

BROUGHT TO BOOK. 

Dexter did not pause a moment. It did not occur to him that he wasutterly exhausted, and could hardly move his arms. All he realised wasthe fact that on the one side was the man whom he had half-killed withthe boat-hook, just about to stretch out his hand to seize him, on theother, those whom he dreaded far more, and with one quick movement hestepped on to the thwart of the gig, joined his hands, dived in, anddisappeared from sight, in the muddy water. 

For a few moments there was the silence of utter astonishment, and thenthe man who had pursued the boys down the river began to take advantageof the general excitement by keeping hold of the side of the gig andbeginning to draw it away; but Bob set up such a howl of dismay that itdrew Peter's attention, and he too seized the boat from the other end, caught out the chain, and hooked it on to a ring-bolt of the big boat inwhich he sat. 

"You drop that there, will yer!" cried the man. "It's my boat. "

"How--ow!" cried Bob, in the most canine of yelps; and at the samemoment the gig was literally jerked from the man's hold, for the twosailors had given a tremendous tug at their oars to force the boat inthe direction that Dexter was likely to take after his rise, and thenext minute a dozen yards were between the tub and the gig. 

"For heaven's sake, mind! stop!" cried the doctor excitedly. "Don'trow, men, or you may strike him down. "

The men ceased rowing, and every eye began to search the surface of thewater, but no sign of Dexter could be seen. 

"He could not sink like that, " cried Sir James. "He must risesomewhere. "

But must or no, Dexter did not rise, and the men began to paddle softlydown-stream, while the doctor stood up in the boat gazing wildly round. 

"It was all my doing, " he said to himself. "Poor boy! poor boy!"

A feeling of horror that was unbearable seemed to be creeping over theoccupants of the great boat. Even Dan'l, who looked upon Dexter as hismortal enemy, and who had suggested, in the hope of seeing him sent toprison, that the surest way of capturing the boys was to go down to themouth of the river--even Dan'l felt the chill of horror as he mentallysaid--

"'Tain't true. Them as is born to be hanged is sometimes drowned. "

But just then there was a tremendous splash, and the big boat rocked toand fro, the captive gig danced, and Bob uttered another of his canineyelps, for Peter had suddenly stepped on to the gunwale, dived in aftersomething he had seen touch the surface of the water twenty yards lowerdown, where it had been rolled over and over by the rapid tide, and aminute later, as he swam vigorously, he shouted--"I've got him!"

And he was seen holding the boy's head above the water, as he turned totry and stem the current, and swim back to the boat. 

The task was not long, for the two sailors sent her down with a fewvigorous sweeps of their oars, and Dexter and his rescuer were draggedover the side, as the man with the tub slowly backed away. 

No time was lost in reaching the shore, and the insensible boy wascarried up to the principal hotel in the port, where quite an hourelapsed before the surgeon whose services were sought was able to pausefrom his arduous task, and announce that his patient would live. 

For it was a very narrow escape, and the surgeon said, as he shook handswith Dr Grayson--

"Some men would have given it up in despair, sir. But there he is, safeand sound, and, I dare say, boy-like, it will not be very long before hegets into some mischief again. "

Sir James Danby coughed, and Doctor Grayson frowned as he met hisfriend's peculiar look. But nothing was said then till the surgeon hadbeen up to see his patient once more, after which he returned, reportedthat Dexter had sunk into a sound slumber, and then took his leave. 

"I suppose we shall not go back to Coleby to-night?" said Sir James. 

"I shall not, " said the doctor; "but, my dear Danby, pray don't let mekeep you. "

"Oh! you will not keep me, " said Sir James quietly. "I've got to makearrangements about my boat being taken up the river. "

"Why not let my men row it back!" said the doctor. 

"Because I did not like to impose on your kindness. "

"Then they may take it?"

"I shall only be too grateful, " said Sir James. 

Nothing more was said till they had ordered and sat down to a snugdinner in the hotel, when Sir James opened the ball. 

"Now, Grayson, " he said, "I happen to be a magistrate. "

"Yes, of course, " said the doctor uneasily. 

"Well, then, I want to have a few words with you about those two boys. "

The doctor nodded. 

"Your groom is with your _protege_, and your old gardener has that otheryoung scoundrel in charge. "

"In charge?" said the doctor. 

"Yes; you may call it so. I told him not to lose sight of the youngrascal, and I also told your groom to exercise the same supervision overthe other. "

"But surely, my dear Danby, you do not mean to--"

"Deal with them as I would with any other offender? Why not?"

The doctor had no answer ready, so Sir James went on--

"I valued that boat very highly, and certainly I've got it back--withthe exception of the stains upon the cushions--very little the worse. But this was a serious theft, almost as bad as horse-stealing, and Ishall have to make an example of them. "

"But one of them has been terribly punished, " said the doctor eagerly. 

"Pooh! not half enough, sir. Come, Grayson, of course this hascompletely cured you of your mad folly!"

"My mad folly!" cried the doctor excitedly. "May I ask you what youmean?"

"Now, my dear Grayson, pray don't be angry. I only say, as an oldfriend and neighbour, surely you must be ready to agree that your wildidea of making a gentleman out of this boy--one of the dregs of ourcivilisation--is an impossibility?"

"Nothing of the sort, sir, " cried the doctor angrily. "I never feltmore certain of the correctness of my ideas. "

"Tut--tut--tut--tut!" ejaculated Sir James. "Really, Grayson, this istoo much. "

"Too much, sir? Nothing of the kind. A boyish escapade. Nothingmore. "

"Well!" said Sir James drily, "when such cases as this are broughtbefore us at the bench, we are in the habit of calling them thefts. "

"Theft: pooh! No, no!" cried the doctor stubbornly. "A boyish prank. He would have sent the boat back. "

"Would he?" said Sir James drily. "I suppose you think his companionwould have done the same?"

"I have nothing to do with the other boy, " said the doctor shortly. "Itwas a most unfortunate thing that Dexter should have made hisacquaintance. "

"Birds of a feather flock together, my dear Grayson, " said Sir James. 

"Nothing of the kind, sir. It was my fault, " cried the doctor. "Ineglected to let the boy have suitable companions of his own age; andthe consequence was that he listened to this young scoundrel, andallowed himself to be led away. "

"Do I understand aright, from your defence of the boy, that you mean toforgive him and take him back!"

"Certainly!" said the doctor. 

"Grayson, you amaze me! But if I prove to you that you are utterlywrong, and that the young dog is an arrant thief, what then?"

"Then, " said the doctor, "I'm afraid I should have to--No, I wouldn't. I would try and reform him. "

"Well, " said Sir James, "if you choose to be so ultra lenient, Grayson, you must; but I feel that I have a duty to do, and as soon as we havehad our wine I propose that we have the prisoners here, and listen towhat they have to say. "

"Prisoners?"

"Yes. What else would you call them?"

Before the doctor could stand up afresh in Dexter's defence a waiterentered the room. 

"Beg pardon, sir, but your groom says would you be good enough to stepupstairs?"

"Bless my heart!" cried the doctor. "Is it a relapse?"

He hurried up to the room where Dexter had been sleeping, to find that, instead of being in bed, he was fully dressed, and lying on the floor, with Peter the groom holding him down. 

"Why, what's the matter!" cried the doctor, as he entered the roomhastily, followed by Sir James. 

"Matter, sir?" said Peter, "matter enough. If I hadn't held him downlike this here I believe he'd 'a' been out o' that window. "

"Why, Dexter!" cried the doctor. 

The boy struggled feebly, and then, seeing the futility of his efforts, he lay still and closed his eyes. 

"Went off fast asleep, sir, as any one would ha' thought, " said Peter. "And seeing him like that I thought I'd just go down and fetch myself acup o' tea; but no sooner was I out o' the room than he must haveslipped out and dressed hisself--shamming, you know--and if I hadn'tcome back in the nick o' time he'd have been gone. "

The doctor frowned, and Sir James looked satisfied, as he gave him anod. 

"Going to run away, eh!"

"Yes, Sir James, " said the groom; "and it was as much as I could do tohold him. "

"Get up, Peter, " said the doctor. 

The groom rose, and Dexter leapt up like a bit of spring, and dartedtoward the door. 

But Sir James was close to it, and catching the boy by the arm he heldhim. 

"Take hold, of him, my man, " he said; "and don't let him go. "

Peter obeyed, getting a tight grip of Dexter's wrist. 

"Now, you give in, " he whispered. "It's no good, for I shan't let go. "

"Bring him down, " said Sir James sternly. 

Peter shook his head warningly at Dexter, and then, as Sir James and thedoctor went down to their room, Peter followed with his prisoner, wholooked over the balustrade as if measuring the distance and his chanceif he made a jump. 

"Now, " said Sir James, as the boy was led into the room; "stand there, sir, and I warn you that if you attempt to run away I shall have in thepolice, and be more stern. You, my man, go and tell the gardener tobring up the other boy. "

Peter left the room after giving Dexter a glance, and the doctor beganto walk up and down angrily. He wanted to take the business into hisown hands, but Sir James was a magistrate, and it seemed as if he had aright to take the lead. 

There was a painful silence, during which Dexter stood hanging his head, and feeling as if he wished he had been drowned, instead of beingbrought round to undergo such a painful ordeal as this. 

Ten minutes must have elapsed before a scuffling was heard upon thestairs, and Bob Dimsted's voice whimpering--

"You let me alone, will yer? I never done nothing to you. Pair o'great cowards, y'are. Don't knock me about, or it'll be the worse foryer. Hit one o' your own size. I never said nothing to you. "

This was continued and repeated right into the room, Dan'l looking verysevere and earnest, and holding on by the boy's collar, half-dragginghim, while Peter pushed behind, and then closed the door, and stoodbefore it like a sentry. 

"You have not been striking the boy, I hope!" said the doctor. 

"Strike him, sir? no, not I, " said Dan'l; "but I should like to. Beena-biting and kicking like a neel to get away. "

Sir James had never seen an eel kick, but he accepted the simile, andturning to Bob, who was whimpering and howling--"knocking meabout"--"never said nothing to him"--"if my father was here, " etc. 

"Silence!" roared Sir James, in his severest tones; and Bob gave quite astart and stared. 

"Now, sir, " said Sir James. "Here, both of you; stand together, andmind this: it will be better for both of you if you are frank andstraightforward. "

"I want to go home, " whimpered Bob. "Y'ain't no business to stop mehere. "

"Silence!" roared Sir James; and Bob jumped. 

Dexter did not move, but stood with his eyes fixed to the floor. 

"Now!" said Sir James, gazing fiercely at Bob; "you know, I suppose, whyyou are here. "

"No! I don't, " whimpered Bob. "And y'ain't no business to stop me. Iwant to go home. "

"Silence, sir!" roared Sir James again. "You do not know? Well, then, I will tell you. You are before me, sir, charged with stealing a boat. "

"Oh!" ejaculated Bob, in a tone of wondering innocence. 

"And I perhaps ought to explain, " said Sir James, looking hard at DrGrayson, and speaking apologetically, "that in an ordinary way, as theboat was my property, I should feel called upon to leave the bench; butas this is only a preliminary examination, I shall carry it on myself. Now, sir, " he continued, fixing Bob's shifty eyes, "what have you tosay, sir, for stealing my boat?"

"Stealing your boat!" cried Bob volubly; "me steal your boat, sir? Iwouldn't do such a thing. "

"Why, you lying young dog!"

"No, sir, I ain't, sir, " protested Bob, as Dexter slowly raised his headand gazed at him. "It wasn't me, sir. It was him, sir. That boy, sir. I begged him not to, sir; but he would do it. "

"Oh, it was Dexter Grayson, was it?" said Sir James, glancing at thedoctor, who was gnawing his lip and beating the carpet with his toe. 

"Yes, sir; it was him, sir. I was t'other side o' the river one day, sir, " rattled off Bob, "and he shouts to me, sir, `Hi!' he says, justlike that, sir, and when I went to him, sir, he says, `Let's steal theold cock's boat and go down the river for a game. '"

"Well?" said Sir James. 

"Well, sir, I wouldn't, sir, " continued Bob glibly. "I said it would belike stealing the boat; and I wouldn't do that. "

"Oh!" said Sir James. 

"Is this true, Dexter!" said the doctor sternly. 

"No, sir. He wanted me to take the boat. "

"Oh, my!" cried Bob. "Hark at that now! Why, I wouldn't ha' done sucha thing. "

"No, you look a nice innocent boy, " said Sir James. 

"Yes, sir; and he was allus at me about that boat, and said he wanted togo to foreign abroad, he did, and the best way, he said, was to stealthat there boat and go. "

"Oh, " said Sir James. "And what more have you to say, sir?"

"It isn't true, sir, " said Dexter, making an effort to speak, and hegazed angrily at his companion. "Bob here wanted me to go with him, andhe persuaded me to take the boat. "

"Oh! only hark at him!" cried Bob, looking from one to the other. 

"And I thought it would be like stealing the boat to take it like that. "

"Well, rather like it, " said Sir James sarcastically. 

"And so I sent that letter and that money to pay for it, sir, and Imeant to send the rest if it wasn't quite enough. "

"Ah!" ejaculated the doctor eagerly. 

"What letter? What money?" said Sir James. 

"That money I sent by Bob Dimsted, sir, to put in your letter-box. "

"I never received any money, " cried Sir James. "You sent some money!"

"Yes, sir; before we took the boat, sir. "

"Ah!" ejaculated the doctor again. 

"And you sent it by this boy?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Then where is the money?" cried Sir James, turning upon Bob. 

"I dunno, sir. I never had no money. "

"You did, Bob, in a letter I gave you, " cried Dexter excitedly. 

"Oh!" ejaculated Bob, with an astonished look. "Well, if ever!"

"This is getting interesting, " said Sir James. "Now, sir, where's thatmoney?"

"He never give me none, sir, " cried Bob indignantly. "I never see noletter. "

"You did. The one I threw across the river to you!" said Dexter. 

"Oh, what a cracker!" cried Bob. "I never had no letter, gen'lemen, andI never see no money. Why don't you tell the truth, and the kindgentlemen won't be so hard on you?"

"I am telling the truth, " cried Dexter, "It was you asked me to take theboat. "

"Only hark at him!" cried Bob. "Why yer'd better say yer didn't takeall yer clothes off and swim acrost and get it. "

"I did, " said Dexter; "but you made me. You said you'd go. "

"Oh, you can tell 'em!" cried Bob. 

"And I did give you the money to take. "

"Oh, well, I've done, " said Bob. "I never did hear a chap tell lieslike you can!"

"I think that will do, " said Sir James, with a side glance at thedoctor, who sat with his brows knit, listening. "Now, you will both goback to the room where you are to sleep, and I warn you that if youattempt to escape, so surely will you be taken by the police, and thenthis matter will assume a far more serious aspect. You, my men, willhave charge of these two boys till the morning. They are not to speakto each other, and I look to you to take them safely back to Coleby bythe early train. That will do. "

Dexter darted one glance at the doctor, but his face was averted. 

"Please, sir, " he began. 

"Silence!" cried Sir James. "I think Dr Grayson understands yourcharacter now, and I must say I never heard a more cowardly attempt tofasten a fault upon another. No: not a word. Go!"

Bob Dimsted was already outside with Dan'l's knuckles in the back of hisneck. 

Peter was more gentle with his prisoner as he led him away. 

"You've been and done it now, young fellow, " he said. "I would ha' toldthe truth. "

Dexter turned to him with bursting heart, but he could not speak, and assoon as he was in his bedroom he threw himself before a chair, andburied his face in his hands, so as to try and shut out the reproachfulface of Helen, which he seemed to see. 

"I wish I had not been saved, " he cried at last passionately, and thenhe glanced at the window, and listened, while downstairs Sir James wassaying quietly--

"There, Grayson, I think you understand the boy's character now. "

"No, " said the doctor shortly. "I don't think I do. "

"What!"

"And I'd give a hundred pounds, " said the doctor, "to know the truth. "

"Really, " said Sir James, laughing. "You are the most obstinate man Iever knew. "

"Yes, " said the doctor. "I suppose I am. "

CHAPTER FORTY. 

"HUZZA! WE'RE HOMEWARD BOUND!"

The first wet day there had been for a month. It seemed as if MotherNature had been saving up all her rain in a great cistern, and was thenletting it out at once. 

No glorious sapphire seas and brilliant skies; no golden sunshinepouring down on tawny sands, over which waved the long pinnate leaves ofthe cocoa-nuts palms; no brilliant-coloured fish that seemed to bewaiting to be caught; no glorious life of freedom, with their boat toenable them to glide from isle to isle, where it was always summer; butrain, rain, rain, always rain, pouring down from a lead-black sky. 

A dreary prospect, but not half so dreary as Dexter's spirits, as hethought of what was to come. 

If ever boy felt miserable, he did that next morning, for they were allgoing back to Coleby. The romantic adventure was at an end, and he waslike a prisoner. 

Why had he left the doctor's? What had he gained by it but misery andwretchedness. Bob had turned out one of the most contemptible cowardsthat ever stepped. He had proved to be a miserable tyrannical bullywhen they were alone; and in the face of danger a wretched cur; whilenow that they were caught he was ready to tell any lie to save his ownskin. 

What would Helen say to him, and think of him? What would Mr Hippettssay--and Mr Sibery?

He would be sent back to the Union of course; and one moment he foundhimself wishing that he had never left the schools to be confronted withsuch misery as he felt now. 

They were on their way back by rail. The doctor, who had not evenlooked at him, was in a first-class carriage with Sir James, and theplans being altered, and the boat sent up to Coleby by a trustworthyman, Bob and Dexter were returning in a second-class carriage, withtheir custodians, Peter and old Dan'l. 

They were the sole occupants of the carriage, and soon after startingBob turned to Dexter--

"I say!" he exclaimed. 

Dexter started, and looked at him indignantly--so angrily, in fact, thatBob grinned. 

"Yer needn't look like that, " he said. "If I forgives yer, and beginsto talk to yer, what more d'yer want!"

Dexter turned away, and looked out of the window. 

"There's a sulky one!" said Bob, with a coarse laugh; and as he spoke itwas as if he were appealing to old Dan'l and Peter in turn. "He woulddo it. I tried to hold him back, but he would do it, and he made mecome, and now he turns on me like that. "

"You're a nice un, " said Peter, staring hard at the boy. 

"So are you!" said the young scamp insolently. "You mind yer ownbusiness, and look arter him. He's got to look arter me--ain't yer, sir!"

"Yes, " said old Dan'l sourly; "and I'm going to stuff a hankychy orsomething else into your mouth if you don't hold your tongue. "

"Oh, are yer!" said Bob boldly. "I should just like to see yer do it. "

"Then you shall if you don't keep quiet. "

Bob was silent for a few minutes, and then amused himself by making aderisive grimace at Dan'l as soon as he was looking another way. 

"It was all his fault, " he said sullenly. "He would take the boat. "

"Ah, there was about six o' one of you, and half a dozen of the other, "said Peter, laughing. "You'll get it, young fellow. Six weeks hardlabour, and then four years in a reformatory. That's about your dose. "

"Is it?" said Bob derisively. "That's what he'll get, and serve himright--a sneak. "

Dexter's cheeks, which were very pale, began to show spots of red, buthe stared out of the window. 

"I shouldn't have gone, only he was allus at me, " continued Bob. "Allus. Some chaps ain't never satisfied. "

Old Dan'l filled his pipe, and began to smoke. 

"You'll get enough to satisfy you, " said Peter. "I say, Dan'l, youwouldn't mind, would you?"

"Mind what?" grunted Dan'l. 

"Giving me one of the noo brooms. One out o' the last dozen--the longswitchy ones. I could just cut the band, and make about three reg'larteasers out of one broom. "

"What, birch-rods?" said Dan'l, with a sort of cast-iron knocker smile. 

"Yes, " said Peter. 

"Mind? no, my lad, you may have two of 'em, and I should like to havethe laying of it on. "

"Yah! would yer!" said Bob defiantly. "Dessay you would. I should liketo see yer. "

"But you wouldn't like to feel it, " said Peter. "My eye, you will openthat pretty mouth of yours! Pig-ringing'll be nothing to it. "

"Won't be me, " said Bob. "It'll be him, and serve him right. "

Dexter's cheeks grew redder as he pictured the disgrace of a floggingscene. 

"Not it, " continued Peter. "You'll get all that. Sir James'll give ityou as sure as a gun. Won't he, Dan'l!"

"Ah!" ejaculated the old gardener. "I heerd him say over and over againthat ha wouldn't lose that boat for a hundred pounds. You'll get it, mygentleman!"

"No, I shan't, 'cause I didn't do it. He'll give it to him, and sarvehim right, leading me on to go with him, and boasting and bouncingabout, and then pretending he wanted to buy the boat, and saying he sentme with the money. "

"So I did, " cried Dexter, turning sharply round; "and you stole it, andthen told lies. "

"That I didn't, " said Bob. "I never see no money. 'Tain't likely. It's all a tale you made up, and--oh!"

Bob burst into a regular bellow of pain, for, as he had been speaking, he had edged along the seat a little from his corner of the carriage, tobring himself nearer Dexter, who occupied the opposite diagonal corner. As Bob spoke he nodded his head, and thrust his face forward at Dexterso temptingly, that, quick as lightning, the latter flung out his right, and gave Bob a back-handed blow in the cheek. 

"Oh! _how_!" cried Bob; and then menacingly, "Here, just you do thatagain!"

Dexter's blood was up. There was a long course of bullying to avenge, and he did that again, a good deal harder, with the result that the yellBob emitted rose well above the rattle of the carriage. 

"Well done, young un, " cried Peter delightedly. "That's right. Give ithim again. Here, Dan'l, let 'em have it out, and we'll see fair!"

"No, no, no!" growled the old gardener, stretching out one hand, andcatching Bob by the collar, so as to drag him back into his corner--ajob he had not the slightest difficulty in doing. "None o' that. They'd be blacking one another's eyes, and there'd be a row. "

"Never mind, " cried Peter, with all the love of excitement of his class. 

"No, no, " said Dan'l. "No fighting;" and he gave Dexter a grim look ofsatisfaction, which had more kindness in it than any the boy had yetseen. 

"Here, you let me get at him!" cried Bob. 

"No, no, you sit still, " said Dan'l, holding him back with one hand. 

The task was very easy. A baby could have held Bob, in spite of thefurious show of struggling that he made, while, on the other hand, Petersat grinning, and was compelled to pass one arm round Dexter, and clasphis own wrist, so as to thoroughly imprison him, and keep him back. 

"Better let 'em have it out, Dan'l, " he cried. "My one's ready. "

"Let me go. Let me get at him, " shrieked Bob. 

"Yes, let him go, Dan'l, " cried Peter. 

But Dan'l shook his head, and as Bob kept on struggling and utteringthreats, the old man turned upon him fiercely--

"Hold your tongue, will you?" he roared. "You so much as say anotherword, and I'll make you fight it put. "

Bob's jaw dropped, and he stared in astonishment at the fierce facebefore him, reading therein so much determination to carry the threatinto effect that he subsided sulkily in his corner, and turned away hisface, for every time he glanced at the other end of the carriage it wasto see Peter grinning at him. 

"Ah!" said Peter at last; "it's a good job for us as Dan'l held youback. You made me shiver. "

Bob scowled. 

"He's thoroughbred game, he is, Dan'l. "

Dan'l chuckled. 

"He'd be a terrible chap when his monkey was up. Oh, I am glad. He'dha' been sure to win. "

"Let him alone, " growled Dan'l, with a low chuckling noise that soundedsomething like the slow turning of a weak watchman's rattle; and thenmuttering something about white-livered he subsided into his corner, andsolaced himself with his pipe. 

Meanwhile Peter sat opposite, talking in a low tone to Dexter, and beganto ask him questions about his adventures, listening with the greatesteagerness to the short answers he received, till Dexter looked up at himpiteously. 

"Don't talk to me, please, Peter, " he said. "I want to sit and think. "

"And so you shall, my lad, " said the groom; and he too took out a pipe, and smoked till they reached Coleby. 

Dexter shivered as he stepped out upon the platform. It seemed to himthat the stationmaster and porters were staring at him as the boy whoran away, and he was looking round for a way of retreat, so as to escapewhat was to come, when Sir James and the doctor came up to them. 

"You can let that boy go, " said the doctor to Dan'l. 

"Let him go, sir?" cried the gardener, looking at both the gentlemen inturn. 

Sir James nodded. 

Bob, whose eyes had been rat-like in their eager peering from face toface, whisked himself free, darted to the end of the platform, anduttered a loud yell before he disappeared. 

"Look here, Dexter, " said the doctor coldly; "I have been talking to SirJames on our way here. Now sir, will you give me your word not to tryand escape?"

Dexter looked at him for a moment or two. 

"Yes, sir, " he said at last, with a sigh. 

"Then come with me. "

"Come with you, sir?"

Dexter looked at his stained and muddy clothes. 

"Yes, " said the doctor; "come with me. "

Sir James shrugged his shoulders slightly, and gave the doctor a meaninglook. 

"Good-bye, Grayson, " he said, and he shook hands. 

"As for you, sir, " he added sternly, as he turned to Dexter, "you andyour companion have had a very narrow escape. If it had not been foryour good friend here, matters would have gone ill with you--worseperhaps than you think. "

Dexter hung his head, and at a sign from the doctor went to his side, and they walked out of the station with Dan'l and Peter behind. 

The doctor stopped. 

"You have given me your word, sir, that you will come quietly up to thehouse, " he said coldly. 

"Yes, sir, " said Dexter sadly. 

The doctor, signed to Dan'l and Peter to come up to them. 

"You can go on first, " he said; and the men passed on. 

"I don't want you to feel as if you were a prisoner, Dexter, " said thedoctor gravely. "It is one of the grandest things in a gentleman--hisword--which means his word of honour. "

Dexter had nothing he could say; and with a strange swelling at thethroat he walked on beside the doctor, gazing at the pavement a coupleof yards in front of him, and suffering as a sensitive boy would sufferas he felt how degraded and dirty he looked, and how many people in thetown must know of his running away, and be gazing at him, now that hewas brought back by the doctor, who looked upon him as a thief. 

Every house and shop they passed was familiar. There were several ofthe tradespeople too standing at their doors ready to salute the doctor, and Dexter's cheeks burned with shame. His punishment seemed more thanhe could bear. 

In another ten minutes they would be at the house, where Maria wouldopen the door, and give him a peculiar contemptuous look--the old looklargely intensified; and but for the doctor's words, and the promisegiven, the boy felt that he must have run away down the firstside-turning they passed. 

Then, as Maria faded from his mental vision, pleasant old Mrs Millettappeared, with her hands raised, and quite a storm of reproaches readyto be administered to him, followed, when she had finished and forgivenhim, as he knew she would forgive him, by a dose of physic, deemed byher to be absolutely necessary after his escapade. 

The house at last, and everything just as Dexter had anticipated. Mariaopened the door, and then wrinkled up her forehead and screwed up herlips in a supercilious smile. 

"Your mistress in!" said the doctor. 

"Yes, sir, in the drawing-room, sir. "

"Hah!" ejaculated the doctor. 

"Found him, sir? _And_ brought him back!" cried a familiar voice; andMrs Millett hurried into the hall. "O you bold, bad boy!" she cried. "How dare you? And you never took your medicine that night. Oh, forshame! for shame!"

"Hush, hush, Mrs Millett!" said the doctor sternly. "That will do. "

He signed to the old lady, and she left the hall, but turned to shakeher head at the returned culprit as she went, while Maria gave him ameaning smile as soon as the doctor's back was turned, and then passedthrough the baize door. 

The doctor stood there silent and frowning for a few minutes, with hiseyes fixed upon the floor, while Dexter awaited his sentence, painfullyconscious, and longing for the doctor to speak and put him out of hismisery. 

"Now, sir, " he said at last; "you had better go in and speak to MissGrayson. She is waiting, I suppose, to see you in that room. I sentword we were coming. "

"No, no, " said Dexter quickly. "Don't send me in there, sir. You'dbetter send me back to the school, sir. I'm no good, and shall only getinto trouble again; please send me back. I shouldn't like to see MissGrayson now. "

"Why not!" said the doctor sternly. 

"Because you don't believe me, sir, and she won't, and--and--you hadbetter send me back. "

"I am waiting to see you here, Dexter, " said Helen gravely, and the boystarted away with a cry, for the drawing-room door had opened silently, and Helen was standing on the mat. 

CHAPTER FORTY ONE. 

HOW THE DOCTOR PUNISHED. 

Dexter's interview with Helen was long and painful, for at first itseemed as if she had lost all confidence and hope in the boy, till, realising all this, he cried in a wild outburst of grief--"I know howwrong it all was, but nearly everybody here seemed to dislike me, and Idid tell the truth about the boat, but no one believes. Do--do ask himto send me away. "

There was a long silence here, as, for the first time, in spite of ahard fight, Dexter could not keep back his tears. 

The silence was broken by Helen, who took his hand, and said gently--

"I believe you, Dexter. I am sure you would not tell a lie. "

In an instant his arms were round her neck, and he was clinging to herunable to speak, but his eyes, his convulsed face, telling the doctor'sdaughter that she was right. 

That evening, feeling very strange and terribly depressed, Dexter hadgone to his old bedroom, thinking it must be for the last time, andwondering how Mr Sibery would treat him. 

Helen had sat talking to him for quite a couple of hours, winning fromhim a complete account of his adventures, and in return relating to himhow concerned every one had been on the discovery of his evasion, andhow bitterly the doctor had been mortified on learning later on that theboat had been taken. Who were the culprits was known in the course ofthe day, with the result that, acting on the suggestion already alludedto, the doctor had gone down to the mouth of the river to wait thecoming of the borrowers of the boat. 

Helen had exacted no promises from Dexter. He had made none, but satthere with her, his hand in hers, wondering and puzzled how it was thathe could have run away, but the more he thought, the more puzzled hegrew. 

"Well, " said the doctor that evening, as he sat with his daughter, "Itold Danby that I was more determined than ever; that it was only aboyish escapade which he must look over to oblige me, and he agreedafter making a great many bones about it. But I feel very doubtful, Helen, and I may as well confess it to you. "

"Doubtful?" she said. 

"Yes, my dear. I could have forgiven everything if the boy had beenfrank and honest--if he had owned to his fault in a straightforward way;but when he sought to hide his own fault by trying to throw it onanother, I couldn't help feeling disgusted. "

"But, papa--"

"Let me finish, my dear. I know what you are about to say. Woman-like, you are going to take his part. It will not do. The lying and deceitare such ugly blemishes in the boy's character that I am out of heart. "

"Indeed, papa?" said Helen, smiling. "Ah, it's all very well for you tolaugh at me because I have failed over my hobby; but I feel I'm rightall the same, and I tell you that his ignorance, vulgarity--"

"Both of which are wonderfully changed. "

"Yes, my dear, granted, and he does not talk so much about theworkhouse. He was a great deal better, and I could have forgiven thismad, boyish prank--though what could have influenced him, I don't know. "

"I can tell you, " said Helen. "A boy's love of adventure. The idea ofgoing off in a boat to discover some wonderful island where he couldlive a Robinson Crusoe kind of life. "

"A young donkey!" cried the doctor. "But there, it's all off. I couldhave forgiven everything, but the cowardly lying. "

"Then, poor fellow, he is forgiven. "

"Indeed, no, my dear. He goes back to the Union to-morrow; but I shalltell Hippetts to apprentice him to some good trade at once, and I willpay a handsome premium. Confound Hippetts! He'll laugh at me. "

"No, he will not, papa. "

"Yes, he will, my dear. I know the man. "

"But you will not be laughed at. "

"Why not?"

"Because you will not send Dexter back. "

"Indeed, my dear, but I shall. I am beaten, and I give up. "

"But you said you would forgive everything but the deceit andfalsehood. "

"Yes, everything. "

"There is no deceit and falsehood to forgive. "

"What?"

"Dexter has told me everything. The simple truth. "

"But he should have told it before, and said he took the boat. "

"He told the truth in every respect, papa. "

"My dear Helen, " said the doctor pettishly, "you are as obstinate as Iam. The lying young dog--"

"Hush, papa, stop!" said Helen gently. "Dexter is quite truthful, I amsure. "

"That is your weak woman's heart pleading for him, " said the doctor. "No, my dear, no; it will not do. "

"I am quite certain, papa, " said Helen firmly, "that he spoke thetruth. "

"How do you know, my dear?"

"Because Dexter told me again and again before he went up to bed. "

"And you believe him?"

"Yes, and so will you. "

"Wish I could, " said the doctor earnestly. "I'd give a hundred poundsto feel convinced. "

"You shall be convinced for less than that, papa, " said Helen merrily. "Give me a kiss for my good news. "

"There's the kiss in advance, my dear. Now, where is the news?"

"Here, papa. If Dexter were the hardened boy you try to make him--"

"No, no: gently. He makes himself one. "

"--he would have gone up to bed to-night careless and indifferent aftershedding a few fictitious tears--"

"Very likely. "

"--and be sleeping heartily by now. "

"As he is, I'll be bound, " cried the doctor energetically. 

"Of course, I may be wrong, " said Helen, "but Dexter strikes me as beingso sensitive a boy--so easily moved, that, I am ready to say, I am surethat he is lying there half-heartbroken, crying bitterly, now he isalone. "

"I'll soon prove that, " said the doctor sharply; and, crossing the roomin his slippers, he silently lit a candle and went upstairs to Dexter'sdoor, where he stood listening for a few minutes, to find that all wasperfectly still. Then turning the handle quietly, he entered, and itwas quite half an hour before he came out. 

"Well, papa?" said Helen, as the doctor returned to the drawing-room. 

"You're a witch, my dear, " he said. 

"I was right?"

"You always are, my dear. "

"And you will not send him back to the Union schools!"

"Send him back!" said the doctor contemptuously. 

"Nor have him apprenticed?" said Helen, with a laughing light in hereyes. 

"Have him ap--Now that's too bad, my dear, " cried the doctor. "Danbywill laugh at me enough. You need not join in. Poor boy! I'm glad Iwent up. "

There was a pause, during which the doctor sat back in his chair. 

"Do you know, my dear, I don't feel very sorry that the young dog wentoff. "

"Not feel sorry, papa!"

"No, my dear. It shows that the young rascal has plenty of energy andspirit and determination. "

"I hope you did not tell him so!"

"My dear child, what do you think me?" cried the doctor testily. "Bythe way, though, he seems to thoroughly see through his companion'scharacter now. I can't help wishing that he had given that confoundedyoung cad a sound thrashing. "

"Papa!"

"Eh? No, no: of course not, " said the doctor. "I was only thinkingaloud. "

Helen sat over her work a little longer, feeling happier than she hadfelt since Dexter left the house; and then the lights were extinguished, and father and daughter went up to bed. 

The doctor was very quiet and thoughtful, and he stopped on the stairs. 

"Helen, my dear, " he whispered, "see the women-servants first thing inthe morning, and tell them I strictly forbid any allusion whatever to bemade to Dexter's foolish prank. "

Helen nodded. 

"I'll talk to the men myself, " he said. "And whatever you do, make MrsMillett hold her tongue. Tut--tut--tut! Now, look at that!"

He pointed to a tumbler on a little papier-mache tray standing atDexter's door. 

"Never mind that, dear, " said Helen, smiling. "I dare say it is onlycamomile-tea, and it shows that the poor boy has not lost his place indear old Millett's heart. "

Helen kissed her father, and stopped at her own door feeling half-amusedand half-tearful as she saw the old man go on tiptoe to Dexter's room, where, with the light of the candle shining on his silver hair andbeard, he tapped gently with his knuckles. 

"Asleep, Dexter?"

There was a faint "No, sir!" from within. 

"Make haste and go to sleep, " said the doctor. "Good-night, my boy. God bless you!"

Helen saw him smile as he turned away from the door, and it may havebeen fancy, but she thought she saw a glistening as of moisture in onecorner of his eye. 

"Poor Dexter!" she said softly, as she entered her room, while the boy, as he lay there in the cool, soft sheets, utterly wearied out, butrestless and feverish with excitement, felt the doctor's last wordssend, as it were, a calm, soothing, restful sensation through his brain, and five minutes later he was sleeping soundly, and dreaming that someone bent over him, and said, "Good-night. God bless you!" once again. 

CHAPTER FORTY TWO. 

BOB DIMSTED'S MEDICINE. 

It was some time before Dexter could summon up courage to go down to thebreakfast-room. That he was expected, he knew, for Mrs Millett hadbeen to his door twice, and said first that breakfast was ready, and, secondly, that master was waiting. 

When he did go in, he could hardly believe that he had been away, forthere was a kiss from Helen, and a frank "Good morning, " and shake ofthe hand from the doctor, not the slightest allusion being made to thepast till breakfast was nearly over, when Maria brought in a note. 

"Hah! From Limpney, " said the doctor. "I sent Peter on to say thatDexter was back, and that I should like the lessons to be resumed thismorning. "

Dexter's eyes lit up. The idea of being busy over lessons once moreseemed delightful. 

"Confound his impudence!" said the doctor angrily, as he ran through thenote. "Hark here, Helen: `Mr Limpney's compliments, and he begs todecline to continue the tuition at Dr Grayson's house. '"

Helen made a gesture, and glanced at her father meaningly--

"Eh? Oh! Ah! Yes, my dear. Well, Dexter, you'll have to amuseyourself in the garden this morning. Go and have a few hours' fishing. "

"If you please, sir, I'd rather stay in here if I might, and read. "

"No, no, no, " said the doctor cheerily. "Fine morning. Get Peter todig you some worms, and I'll come and look at you presently. It's allright, my boy. We said last night we'd draw a veil over the past, eh?You go and have a good morning's fishing. "

Dexter was at his side in a moment, had thrust his hand in the doctor's, and then fled from the room. 

"Want to show him we've full confidence in him again. Bah, no! Thatboy couldn't look you in the face and tell you a lie. My dear Helen, I'm as certain of my theory being correct as of anything in the world. But hang that Limpney for a narrow-minded, classic-stuffed, mathematic-bristling prig! We'll have a better. "

Dexter felt a strange hesitancy; but the doctor evidently wished him togo and fish, so he took his rod, line, and basket, and was crossing thehall when he encountered Mrs Millett. 

"It was very nice of you, my dear, and I'm sure it will do you good. You did take it all now, didn't you?"

"Yes, every drop, " said Dexter, smiling; and the old lady went awayevidently highly gratified. 

Old Dan'l was busy tidying up a flower-bed as he reached the lawn, and, to Dexter's astonishment, he nodded and gave him another of hiscast-iron smiles. 

Further down the garden Peter was at work. 

"Dig you up a few worms, Master Dexter? Course I will. Come round tothe back of the old frames. "

A curious sensation of choking troubled Dexter for a few moments, but itpassed off, and in a short time he was furnished with a bag of redworms, and walking down to the river he sat down and began to fish withhis mind going back to the night of his running away, and he seemed tosee it all again; the undressing, the hesitation, and the cold plungeafter his clothes, and all the rest of the miserable dreary time whichhad proved so different from what he had pictured in his mind. 

Peter had said that the fish would "bite like fun at them worms. "

But they did not, for they had no chance. The worms crawled round andround the canvas bag, and played at making Gordian knots with eachother, while several fish came and looked at the unbaited hook whichDexter offered for their inspection, but preferred to leave the barbedsteel alone. 

For quite half an hour Dexter sat there dreamily gazing at his float, but seeing nothing but the past, when he started to his feet, for therewas a splash in the water close to his feet, the drops flying over him, and there, across the river, grinning and looking very dirty, was BobDimsted. 

"Yah! Who stole the boat?" he cried. 

Dexter flushed up, but he made no reply. Only took out his line, andthis time he baited it and threw in again. 

"Yah; who stole the boat!" cried Bob again. "I say, ain't he beenlicked? Ain't his back sore?"

Dexter set his teeth hard and stared at his float, as Bob baited his ownline, and threw in just opposite, to begin fishing just as if nothinghad happened. 

It was a painful position. To go on fishing was like taking up with Bobagain; to go away seemed like being afraid. 

But Dexter determined upon this last, drew out his line, and wasstooping to pick up his basket, when Bob broke into a derisivewar-dance--

"Yah, yah!" he cried. "Yer 'bliged to go. Yah! yer miserable, white-faced sneak! g'ome! g'ome! yah!"

Dexter banged down his basket again, and threw in his line with a bigsplash, as his eyes flashed defiance across the stream. 

"Ah! it's all very fine, " said Bob; "but yer dussen't do that if itweren't for the river. Why, if I'd got yer here I'd bung both yer eyesup for yer. Yah! yer sneak!"

"Here, you just be off. D'yer hear!" cried an angry voice; and Petercame up, broom in hand. 

"She yarn't, " cried Bob? "Who are you? This ain't your field. Stop aslong as I like. Yah!"

"Wish I was over the other side and I'd pitch you in, you sarcy youngvagabond. "

"So are you!" cried Bob. "You dussen't touch me. Fish here as long asI like. Pair o' cowards, that's what you are--pair o' cowards. Fighteither of yer one hand. "

"Wish we was over there, " said Peter; "and we'd make you sing anothersong, my fine fellow. "

"Would yer? Yah! who cares for you!"

"Look here, you've no business to come opposite our place to fish!"cried Peter, "so be off!"

"Yah! 'tain't your place. Stop and fish here as long as I like; and ifever I meet him anywheres I'll give him such a licking as'll make himsqueal. "

"You be off!"

"Shan't. "

"Oh, you won't, won't you?" cried a gruff voice; and old Dan'l came frombehind a laurustinus clump. "You, Peter--you go and get a basket fullo' them brickbats from down by the frames, and we'll soon see whetherhe'll stop there. "

"Yah! go on with your old brickbats. Who cares for you!" cried Bob. "Yah! look at him! Who stole the boat, and cried to go home again? Whostole the boat?"

"Oh, if I could only get across!" said Dexter, in a hoarse low voice. 

"Would you give it him if you could!" said old Dan'l, with a grim laugh. 

"Yes, " said Dexter, between his teeth. 

"Ay, he would, Dan'l, " said Peter excitedly. "I wish he was overyonder. "

"Yah! yah! look at the old caterpillar-killers, " cried Bob. "Who stolethe boat? Yah!"

These last were farewell shots. 

"They won't bite here, " cried Bob, moving off, "but don't you think youfrightened me away. Come as often as I like. Yah! take him home!"

Dexter's face was scarlet as he watched his departing enemy, thinkingthe while of his own folly in leaving his friends for such a wretchedyoung cur as that. 

"Think he would?" said Peter. 

"Ay, two on him, " said Dan'l, after glancing cautiously up toward thehouse. 

"Shall us?"

"Ay, if you like, my lad, " said Dan'l. "Say, youngster, if we help youacrost will you go and start him outer the west medder?"

"Yes, " cried Dexter excitedly. 

"All right. Don't make a row. "

Old Dan'l went off, and Peter followed, to return in five minutes with agreat shallow wooden cistern across the long barrow, old Dan'l lookingvery grim as he walked by his side, and carrying the familiarclothes-prop. 

"There, that's as good as a punt, " he said. "Look here! You'd betterkneel down on it; I should take off my jacket and weskit, and roll up mysleeves, if I was you. "

Dexter's eyes sparkled as he followed this bit of advice, while Dan'ltook one end of the cistern, Peter the other, and they gently launchedit in the little river. 

"Ain't scared of him, are yer!" said Dan'l. 

Dexter gave him a sharp look. 

"That he ain't, " said Peter. "Look here, Master Dexter, " he whispered, "don't let him hug you, but give it him right straight out, and he'll bedown and howl in two two's. "

Dexter made no reply, but stepped into the great shallow punt-likecontrivance, seized the prop handed to him, and prepared to use it, butthe strong steady thrust given by Peter sent him well on his journey, and in less than a minute he was across. 

"Come on, Dan'l, " cried Peter. "Don't I wish we was acrost too!"

They crept among the trees at the extreme corner of the garden, wherethey could hold on by the boughs, and crane their necks over the river, so as to see Dexter tearing along the opposite bank into the next meadowwhere Bob was fishing, in happy ignorance of the approach of danger;and, to further take off his attention, he had just hooked a good-sizedperch, and was playing it, when Dexter, boiling over with therecollection of many injuries culminating in Bob's cowardly lies, cameclose up and gave a formal announcement of his presence by administeringa sounding crack on the ear. 

Bob dropped his rod into the river, and nearly jumped after it as heuttered a howl. 

"Look at that!" cried Peter, giving one of his legs a slap. "Oh, I wishI was there!"

Bob was as big a coward as ever stepped. So is a rat; but when drivento bay a rat will fight. 

Bob was at bay, and he, being in pain, began to fight by lowering hishead and rushing at his adversary. 

Dexter avoided the onslaught, and gave Bob another crack on the ear. 

Then, trusting in his superior size and strength, Bob dashed at Dexteragain, and for a full quarter of an hour there was a fierce up and downfight, which was exceedingly blackguardly and reprehensible no doubt, but under the circumstances perfectly natural. 

Dexter got a good deal knocked about, especially whenever Bob closedwith him; but he did not get knocked about for nothing. Very soon therewere a number of unpleasant ruddy stains upon his clean white shirt, butthe blood was Bob's, and consequent upon a sensation of his nose beingknocked all on one side. 

There was a tooth out--a very white one on the grass, but that tooth wasBob's, and, in addition, that young gentleman's eyes wore the aspect ofhis having been interviewing a wasps' nest, for they were rapidlyclosing up, and his whole face assuming the appearance of a very largeand puffy unbaked bun. 

Then there was a cessation of the up and down fighting; Bob was lying onhis back howling after his customary canine fashion, and Dexter wasstanding over him with his doubled fists, his face flushed, his eyesflashing, teeth set, and his curly hair shining in the sun. 

"It's splendid, Dan'l, old man, " cried Peter, slapping hisfellow-servant on the back. "I wouldn't ha' missed it for half acrown. "

"No, " said Dan'l. "Hang him! he's got some pluck in him if he ain't gotno breed. Brayvo, young un! I never liked yer half--"

Dan'l stopped short, and Peter stepped back against the dividing fence. 

"Beg pardon, sir?"

"I said how did that boy get across the river!" said the doctor sternly. 

There was no reply. 

"Now no subterfuges, " said the doctor sharply. 

Peter looked at Dan'l in dismay, but Dan'l spoke out--

"Well, sir, beg pardon, sir, that young cub come up to the side abusingMaster Dexter, and calling him names, and he let us have it too. "

"Yes; go on. "

"Well, sir, Master Dexter was a-chafing like a greyhound again hiscollar, and Peter and me fetched the old wooden cistern, and let himpunt hisself across, and the way he went into him, sir--boy half as bigagain as hisself, and--"

"That will do, " said the doctor sternly. "Here, Dexter! Come here, sir!"

Dexter turned in dismay, and came faltering back. 

"The moment he is home again!" said the doctor angrily. 

"Yah! Coward! G'ome, g'ome!" yelled Bob, jumping up on seeing hisenemy in retreat. "Come here again and I'll knock yer silly. Yah!"

"Dexter!" roared the doctor; "go back and knock that young blackguard'shead off. Quick! Give it him! No mercy!"

Dexter flew back, but Bob flew faster to the hedge, where he leaped andstuck; Dexter overtaking him then, and administering one punch whichdrove his adversary through, and he got up and ran on again. 

"Hi! Dexter!" shouted the doctor; and the boy returned slowly, as Peterstood screwing up his face to look serious, and Dan'l gave his masterone of his cast-iron smiles. 

"Well, yes, Dan'l, it was excusable under the circumstances, " said thedoctor. "But I do not approve of fighting, and--er--don't say anythingabout it indoors. "

"No, sir, cert'nly not, sir, " said the men, in a breath; and just thenDexter stood on the far bank looking anxiously across. 

"Mind how you come, " cried the doctor. "That's right; be careful. Giveme your hand. Bless my soul! the skin's off your knuckles. We shallhave to tell Miss Grayson after all. "

Dexter looked up at him wildly. He could not speak. 

"Better put that cistern back, " said the doctor quickly; and then toDexter--

"There, slip on your things, and go up to your room and bathe your faceand hands. No, stop! I'll go on first, and shut the drawing-roomdoor. "

The doctor hurried away, and as soon as he was out of sight, Dexter, whohad slowly put on his waistcoat and jacket, gazed disconsolately at thetwo men. 

"What shall I do?" he said dolefully. 

"Do!" cried Peter; "why, you did it splendid: he won't come no more. "

"But the doctor!" faltered Dexter, with the spirit and effervescence allgone. 

"What, master!" cried Dan'l. "He won't say no more. Here, shake hands, my lad. It was fine. "

"Hi! Dexter! Here, my boy, quick!" came the doctor's voice. "It's allright. She has gone out. "

"There!" said Dan'l, laughing; and Dexter ran in. 

CHAPTER FORTY THREE. 

THE RIGHT PLACE FOR A BACKWARD BOY. 

"Where's Dexter?" said the doctor. 

"Down the garden, " said Helen. 

"Humph! Hope he is not getting into fresh mischief. "

"I hope not, papa, " said Helen; "and really I think he is trying veryhard. "

"Yes, " said the doctor, going on with his writing. "How are hisknuckles now? can he hold a pen?"

"I think I would let him wait another day or two. And, papa, have yougiven him a good talking to about that fight?"

"No. Have you?"

"Yes, two or three times; and he has promised never to fight again. "

"My dear Helen, how can you be so absurd?" cried the doctor testily. "That's just the way with a woman. You ask the boy to promise what hecannot perform. He is sure to get fighting again at school orsomewhere. "

"But it seems such a pity, papa. "

"Pooh! pish! pooh! tchah!" ejaculated the doctor, at intervals. "Hegave that young scoundrel a good thrashing, and quite right too. Don'ttell him I said so. "

The doctor had laid down his pen to speak, but he took it up again andbegan writing, but only to lay it aside once more. 

"Dear me! dear me!" he muttered. "I don't seem to get on with my bookas I should like. "

He put down his pen again, rose, took a turn or two up and down theroom, and then picked up the newspaper. 

"Very awkward of that stupid fellow Limpney, " he said, as he beganrunning down the advertisements. 

"What did he say, papa, when you spoke to him?"

"Say? Lot of stuff about losing _prestige_ with his other pupils. Wassure Lady Danby did not like him to be teaching a boy of Dexter's classand her son. Confound his impudence! Must have a tutor for the boy ofsome kind. "

Helen glanced uneasily at her father, and then out into the garden. 

"Plenty of schools; plenty of private tutors, " muttered the doctorscanning the advertisements. "Hah!"

"What is it, papa!"

The doctor struck the paper in the middle, doubled it up, and thenfrowned severely as he thrust his gold spectacles up on to his forehead. 

"I've made a mistake, my dear, --a great mistake. "

"About Dexter!"

"Yes: a very great mistake. "

"But I'm sure he will improve, " said Helen anxiously. 

"So am I, my dear. But our mistake is this: we took the boy from theUnion schools, and we kept him here at once, where every one knew himand his late position. We ought to have sent him away for two or threeyears, and he would have come back completely changed, and the pasthistory forgotten. "

"Sent him to a boarding-school!"

"Well--er! Hum! No, not exactly, " said the doctor, pursing up hislips. "Listen here, my dear. The very thing! just as if fate had cometo my help. "

The doctor rustled the paper a little, and then began to read--

"`Backward and disobedient boys. '"

"But Dexter--"

"Hush, my dear; hear it all. Dexter is backward, and he is disobedient;not wilfully perhaps, but disobedient decidedly. Now listen--

"`Backward and disobedient boys. --The Reverend Septimus Mastrum, MAOxon, receives a limited number of pupils of neglected education. Firmand kindly treatment. Extensive grounds. Healthy situation. For termsapply to the Reverend Septimus Mastrum, Firlands, Longspruce Station. '"

"There! What do you say to that?" said the doctor. 

"I don't know what to say, papa, " said Helen rather sadly. "Perhaps youare right. "

"Right!" cried the doctor. "The very thing, my dear. I'll write to MrMastrum at once. Three or four years of special education will be themaking of the boy. " The doctor sat down and wrote. 

The answer resulted in a meeting in London, where the Reverend SeptimusMastrum greatly impressed the doctor. Terms were agreed upon, and thedoctor came back. 

"Splendid fellow, my dear. Six feet high. Says Mrs Mastrum will actthe part of a mother to the boy. "

"Does he seem very severe, papa?"

"Severe, my dear? Man with a perpetual smile on his countenance. "

"I do not like men with perpetual smiles on their countenances, papa. "

"My dear Helen, do not be so prejudiced, " said the doctor angrily. "Ihave seen Mr Mastrum: you have not. I have told him everything aboutDexter; he applauds my plan, and assures me that in two or three years Ishall hardly know the boy, he will be so improved. " Helen sighed. 

"We had a long discussion about my book, and he agrees that I am quiteright. So pray do not begin to throw obstacles in the way. "

Helen rose and kissed her father's forehead. 

"I am going to do everything I can to aid your plans, papa, " she said, smiling. "Of course I do not like parting with Dexter, and I cannothelp feeling that there is some truth in what you say about a changebeing beneficial for a time; but Dexter is a peculiar boy, and I wouldrather have had him under my own eye. "

"Yes, of course, my dear. Very good of you, " said the doctor; "but thisway is the best. Of course he will have holidays, and we shall go tosee him, and so on. "

"When is he to go, papa?"

"Directly. "

"Directly?"

"Well, in a day or two. "

Helen was silent for a moment or two, and then she moved toward thedoor. 

"Where are you going!" said the doctor sharply. 

"To make preparations, and warn Mrs Millett. He must have a good boxof clothes and linen. "

"To be sure, of course, " said the doctor. "Get whatever is necessary. It is the right thing, my dear, and the boy shall go at once. "

The doctor was so energetic and determined that matters progressed veryrapidly, and the clothes and other necessaries increased at such a ratein Dexter's room that most boys would have been in a state of intenseexcitement. 

Dexter was not, and he avoided the house as much as he could, spending agreat deal of time in the garden and stables. 

"So they're going to send you off to school, eh, Master Dexter?" saidPeter, pausing to rest on his broom-handle. 

"Yes, Peter. "

"And you don't want to go? No wonder! I never liked school. Never hadmuch on it, neither; but I know all I want. "

"Hullo!" said a voice behind them; and, turning, Dexter saw Dan'lstanding behind him, with the first dawn of a smile, on his face. 

Dexter nodded, and began to move away. 

"So you're going off, are yer!" said Dan'l. "Two floggings a day for ayear. You're in for it, youngster. "

"Get out, " said Dexter. "They don't flog boys at good schools. "

"Oh, don't they?" said Dan'l. "You'll see. Well, never mind! And, look here, I'll ask master to let me send you a basket o' apples andpears when they're ripe. "

"You will, Dan'l!" cried Dexter excitedly. 

"Ay: Peter and me'll do you up a basket, and take it to the station. Bea good boy, and no more Bob Dimsted's. "

Dan'l chuckled as if he had said something very funny, and walked away. 

"Here, don't look dumpy about it, my lad, " said Peter kindly. "'Tain'tfor ever and a day. "

"No, Peter, " said Dexter gloomily, "it isn't for ever. "

"Sorry you're going, though, my lad. "

"Are you, Peter!"

"Am I? Course I am. A man can't help liking a boy as can fight likeyou. "

Matters were growing harder for Dexter indoors now that his departurewas so near. Mrs Millett was particularly anxious about him; and sosure as the boy went up to his room in the middle of the day, it was tofind the old housekeeper on her knees, and her spectacles carefullybalanced, trying all his buttons to see if they were fast. 

"Now I'm going to put you up two bottles of camomile tea, and pack themin the bottom of your box, with an old coffee-cup without a handle. Itjust holds the right quantity, and you'll promise me, won't you, MasterDexter, to take a dose regularly twice a week!"

"Yes; I'll promise you, " said Dexter. 

"Now, that's a good boy, " cried the old lady, getting up and patting hisshoulder. "Look here, " she continued, leading him to the box by thedrawers, "I've put something else in as well. "

She lifted up a layer of linen, all scented with lavender, and showedhim a flat, round, brown-paper parcel. 

"It's not a very rich cake, " she said, "but there are plenty of currantsand peel in, and I'm sure it's wholesome. "

Even Maria became very much interested in Master Dexter's boots andshoes, and the parting from the doctor's house for the second timepromised to be very hard. 

It grew harder as the time approached, for, with the gentleness of anelder sister, Helen exercised plenty of supervision over thepreparation. Books, a little well-filled writing-case and a purse, wereamong the things she added. 

"The writing-case is for me, Dexter, " she said, with a smile. 

"For you?" he said wonderingly. 

"Yes, so that I may have, at least, two letters from you every week. You promise that?"

"Oh yes, " he said, "if you will not mind the writing. "

"And the purse is for you, " she said. "If you want a little more moneythan papa is going to allow you weekly, you may write and ask me. "

It grew harder still on the morning of departure, and Dexter would havegiven anything to stay, but he went off manfully with the doctor in thestation fly, passing Sir James Danby and Master Edgar on the road. 

"Humph!" grunted the doctor. "See that, Dexter!"

"I saw Sir James laugh at you when he nodded. "

"Do you know why!"

Dexter was silent for a few minutes. 

"Because he thinks you are foolish to take so much trouble over me. "

"That's it, Dexter, " said the doctor eagerly. "So, now, I'll tell youwhat I want you to do. "

"Yes, sir?"

"Show him that I'm right and he's wrong. " Dexter looked a promise, forhe could not speak just then, nor yet when they had passed throughLondon that afternoon, reached Longspruce station, and been driven tothe Reverend Septimus Mastrum's house, five miles away among thefir-trees and sand of that bleak region. 

Here the doctor bade him "Good-bye, " and Dexter, as he was standing inthe great cold hall, felt that he was commencing a new phase in hisexistence. 

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR. 

PETER CRIBB SEES A GHOST. 

Helen rang the bell one evening and Maria answered the summons. 

"Papa thinks he would like a little supper, Maria, as we dined earlyto-day. Bring up a tray. There is a cold chicken, I think!"

"Yes, 'm, " said Maria, and disappeared, but was back in a few minutes. 

"If you please, 'm, Mrs Millett says there is no cold chicken, 'm. "

"Indeed?" said Helen wonderingly. "Very well, then, the cold veal pie. "

"Yes, 'm. "

Maria disappeared, and came back again. "Please, 'm, Mrs Millett saysthere is no veal pie. "

"Then tell her to make an omelette. "

"Yes, 'm. " Maria left the room and came back. "Please, 'm, MrsMillett says there's no eggs, and it's too late to get any more. "

"Ask Mrs Millett to come here, " said Helen; and the old lady came up, looking very red. 

"Why, Millett, " said Helen, "this is very strange. I don't like to findfault, but surely there ought to have been a chicken left. "

"I'm very glad you have found fault, Miss, " said Mrs Millett, "for it'sgiven me a chance to speak. Yes; there ought to have been a chicken, and the veal pie too; but I'm very sorry to say, Miss, they're gone. "

"Gone?"

"Yes, Miss. I don't know how to account for it, but the things havebegun to go in the most dreadful way. Bread, butter, milk, eggs, meat, everything goes, and we've all been trying to find out how, but it's nogood. "

"This is very strange, Millett. Have you no idea how it is they go?"

"No, Miss; but Dan'l fancies it must be that rough boy who led MasterDexter away. He says he's sure he caught sight of him in the dark lastnight. Somebody must take the things, and he seems to be the mostlikely, knowing the place as he does. "

"This must be seen to, " said Helen; and she told the doctor. Consequently a watch was kept by the gardener and the groom, but theyfound nothing, and the contents of the larder continued to disappear. 

"If it were a man, " said the doctor, on being told of what was going on, "I'd set the police to work, but I hate anything of that kind with aboy. Wait a bit, and he will get more impudent from obtaining thesethings with impunity, and then he will be more easily caught. "

"And then, papa?" said Helen. 

"Then, my dear? Do you know that thin Malacca cane in the hall? Yes, you do. Well, my dear, the law says it is an assault to thrash a boy, and that he ought to be left to the law to punish, which means prisonand degradation. I'm going to take that cane, my dear, and defy thelaw. "

But somehow or another Master Bob Dimsted seemed to be as slippery as aneel. He saw Peter one day and grinned at him from the other side of theriver. Two days later he was seen by Dan'l, who shook his fist at him, and Bob said--

"Yah!"

"Have you heard from Master Dexter, Miss!" said Mrs Millett onemorning. 

"No, Millett, and I am rather surprised. He promised so faithfully towrite. "

"Ah, yes, Miss, " said the old lady; "and he meant it, poor boy, when hepromised, but boys are such one's to forget. "

Helen went into the library where she found the doctor biting the end ofhis pen, and gazing up into a corner of the room. 

"I don't seem to be getting on as I could wish, my dear. By the way, wehaven't heard from that young dog lately. He promised me faithfully towrite regularly. "

Helen thought of Mrs Millett's words, but said nothing, and at thatmoment Maria entered with the letters. 

"From Dexter?" said Helen eagerly. 

"Humph! No! But from Longspruce! I see: from Mr Mastrum. "

The doctor read the letter and frowned. 

Helen read it, and the tears stood in her eyes. 

"The young scoun--"

"Stop, papa!" said Helen earnestly. "Do not condemn him unheard. "

"Then I shall have to go on without condemning him, for we've seen thelast of him, I suppose. "

"O papa!"

"Well, it looks like it, my dear; and I'm afraid I've made a greatmistake, but I don't like to own it. "

"Wait, papa, wait!" said Helen. 

"What does he say? Been gone a fortnight, and would not write till hehad had the country round thoroughly searched. Humph! Afraid he hasgot to Portsmouth, and gone to sea. "

Helen sighed. 

"`Sorry to give so bad an account of him, '" muttered the doctor, readingbits of the letter--"`treated him as his own son--seemed to have anundercurrent of evil in his nature, impossible to eradicate--triedeverything, but all in vain--was beginning to despair, but still hopefulthat patience might overcome the difficulty--patience combined withaffectionate treatment, but it was in vain--after trying to persuade hisfellow-pupils one by one, and failing, he threatened them savagely ifthey dared to betray him, and then he escaped from the grounds, and hasnot been seen since. '"

There was a painful silence in the doctor's library for a few minutes. 

"`Patience combined with affectionate treatment, '" read the doctoragain. "Helen, I believe that man has beaten and ill-used poor Dextertill he could bear it no longer, and has run away. "

"I'm sure of it, papa, " cried Helen excitedly. "Do you think he willcome back!"

"I don't know, " said the doctor. "Yes, I do. No; he would be afraid. I'd give something to know how to go to work to find him. "

"If you please, sir, may I come in?" said a pleasant soft voice. 

"Yes, yes, Millett, of course. What is it?"

"Dan'l has been to say, sir, that he caught sight of that boy, BobDimsted, crawling in the garden last night when it was dark, and chasedhim, but the boy climbed one of the trained pear-trees, got on the wall, and escaped. "

"Confound the young rascal!" cried the doctor. 

"And I'm sorry to say, sir, that two blankets have been stolen offMaster Dexter's bed. "

There was a week of watching, but Bob Dimsted was not caught, and thedoctor sternly said that he would not place the matter in the hands ofthe police. But all the same the little pilferings went on, and MrsMillett came one morning, with tears in her eyes, to say that shecouldn't bear it any longer, for only last night a whole quartern loafhad been taken through the larder bars, and, with it, one of the largewhite jars of black-currant jam. 

Mrs Millett was consoled with the promise that the culprit should soonbe caught, and two nights later Peter came in to announce to the doctorthat he had been so near catching Bob Dimsted that he had touched him ashe chased him down the garden, and that he would have caught him, onlythat, without a moment's hesitation, the boy had jumped into the riverand swum across, and so escaped to the other side. 

"Next time I mean to have him, " said Peter confidently, and this herepeated to Mrs Millett and Maria, being rewarded with a basin of thetea which had just come down from the drawing-room. 

It was just two days later that, as Helen sat with her work under theold oak-tree in the garden--an old evergreen oak which gave a pleasantshade--she became aware of a faint rustling sound. 

She looked up, but could see nothing, though directly after there was apeculiar noise in the tree, which resembled the chopping of wood. 

Still she could see nothing, and she had just resumed her work, thinkingthe while that Dexter would some day write, and that her father'scorrespondence with the Reverend Septimus Mastrum had not been verysatisfactory, when there was a slight scratching sound. 

She turned quickly and saw that a ragged-looking squirrel had run downthe grey trunk of the tree, while, as soon as it saw her, it boundedoff, and to her surprise passed through the gateway leading into theyard where the old stable stood. 

Helen Grayson hardly knew why she did so, but she rose and followed thesquirrel, to find that she was not alone, for Peter the groom was in theyard going on tiptoe toward the open door of the old range of buildings. 

He touched his cap on seeing her. 

"Squir'l, Miss, " he said. "Just run in here. "

"I saw it just now, " said Helen. "Don't kill the poor thing. "

"Oh no, Miss; I won't kill it, " said Peter, as Helen went back into thegarden. "But I mean to catch it if I can. "

Peter went into the dark old building and looked round, but there was nosign of the squirrel. Still a little animal like that would be sure togo upwards, so Peter climbed the half-rotten ladder, and stood in thelong dark range of lofts, peering among the rafters and ties in searchof the bushy-tailed little creature. 

He walked to the end in one direction, then in the other, till he wasstopped by an old boarded partition, in which there was a door which hadbeen nailed up; but he remembered that this had a flight of steps, orrather a broad-stepped old wood ladder, on the other side, leading to anarrower loft right in the gable. 

"Wonder where it can be got, " said Peter to himself; and then he turnedround, ran along the loft, dropped down through the trap-door, andnearly slipped and fell, so hurried was his flight. 

Half-across the yard he came upon Dan'l wheeling a barrow full of mouldfor potting. 

"Hallo! what's the matter?"

Peter gasped and panted, but said nothing. 

"Haven't seen a ghost, have you?" said Dan'l. 

"Ye-es. No, " panted Peter. 

"Why, you white-faced, cowardly noodle!" cried Dan'l. "What d'yermean?"

"I--I. Come out of here into the garden, " whispered Peter. 

Dan'l was going down the garden to the potting-shed, so he made noobjection, and, arrived there, Peter, with solemn emphasis, told how hehad gone in search of the squirrel, and that there was something up inthe loft. 

"Yes, " said old Dan'l contemptuously--"rats. "

"Yes; I know that, " said Peter excitedly; and his eyes looked wild anddilated; "but there's something else. "

Dan'l put down the barrow, and sat upon the soft mould as he gave hisrough stubbly chin a rub. 

"Lookye here, Peter, " he said; "did yer ever hear tell about ghostsbeing in old buildings?"

"Yes, " said Peter, with an involuntary shiver, and a glance across thewall at a corroded weathercock on the top of the ancient place. 

"Well, my lad, ghosts never comes out in the day-time: only o' nights;and do you know what they are?"

Peter shook his head. 

"Well, then, my lad, I'll tell you. I've sin several in my time. Themas you hears and don't see's rats; and them as you sees and don't hear'showls. What d'yer think o' that?"

"It wasn't a rat, nor it wasn't a howl, as I see, " said Peter solemnly;"but something gashly horrid, as looked down at me from up in therafters of that there dark place, and it made me feel that bad that Ididn't seem to have no legs to stand on. "

"Tchah!" cried the gardener. "What yer talking about?"

"Anything the matter?" said the doctor, who had come up unheard over thevelvety lawn. 

"Hush!" whispered Peter imploringly. 

"Shan't hush. Sarves you right, " growled Dan'l. "Here's Peter, sir, just seen a ghost. "

"Ah! has he?" said the doctor. "Where did you see it, Peter?"

"I didn't say it were a ghost, sir, I only said as I see somethinghorrid up at end of the old loft when I went up there just now after asquir'l. "

"Squirrel!" said the doctor angrily. "What are you talking about, man?Squirrels live in trees, not in old lofts. You mean a rat. "

"I know a squir'l when I see one, sir, " said Peter; "and I see one go'crost the yard and into that old stable. "

"Nonsense!" said the doctor. 

"Did you find it, Peter!" said Helen from under the tree. 

"Find what?" said the doctor. 

"A squirrel that ran from here across the yard. "

Peter looked from one to the other triumphantly, as he said--

"No, Miss, I didn't. "

"Humph!" grunted the doctor. "Then there was a squirrel!"

"Yes, sir. "

"And you saw something strange!"

"Yes, sir, something awful gashly, in the dark end, sir. "

"Bah!" cried the doctor. "There, go and get your stable lanthorn andwe'll see. Helen, my dear, we've got a ghost in the old stable loft:like to come and see it!"

"Very much, papa, " said Helen, smiling in a way that put Peter on hismettle, for the moment before he had been ready to beg off. 

He went pretty quickly to get his stable lanthorn, and came back with italight, and looking very pale and sickly, while he bore a stoutbroomstick in the other hand. 

"For shame, man! Put away that absurd thing, " said the doctor, as heled the way through the gate in the wall, followed by Helen, Peter andDan'l coming behind. 

"Go first with the lanthorn, " said the doctor to the old gardener, butPeter was stirred to action now. 

"Mayn't I go first, sir!" he said. 

"Oh yes, if you have enough courage, " said the doctor; and Peter, looking very white, led the way to the foot of the ladder, went up, andthe others followed him to the loft, and stood together on the oldworm-eaten boards. 

The lanthorn cast a yellow glow through its horn sides, and this, mingling with the faint pencils of daylight which came between thetiles, gave a very peculiar look to the place, festooned as theblackened beams were with cobwebs, which formed loops and pockets hereand there. 

"There's an old door at the extreme end there, or ought to be, " said thedoctor. "Go and open it. "

Peter went on in advance. 

"Mind the holes, my dear, " said the doctor. "What's that?"

A curious rustling noise was heard, and, active as a young man, Dan'lran back to the top of the ladder and descended quickly. 

"Well 'tain't me as is skeart now, " said Peter triumphantly. 

Just then there was a sharp clap from somewhere in front, as if a smalltrap-door had been suddenly closed, and Dan'l's voice came up throughthe boards. 

"Look out!" he shouted, and his voice sounded distant. "There's someone up in the far loft there. He tried to get down into one of thehay-racks, but I frightened him back. "

"Stop there!" said the doctor. "We'll soon see who it is. Go on, Peter, and open that door. That young larder thief for a guinea, mydear, " he continued to Helen, as Peter went on in advance. 

"Door's nailed up, sir, " said the latter worthy, as he reached the olddoor, and held the lanthorn up and down. 

"How came it nailed up?" said the doctor, as he examined the place. "Ithas no business to be. Go and get an iron chisel or a crowbar. Are youthere, Daniel?"

"Yes, sir, " came from below. "I'm on the look-out. It's that thereyoung poacher chap, Bob Dimsted. "

Peter set the lanthorn on the floor and hurried off, leaving the littleparty watching and listening till he returned, but not a sound broke thesilence, and there was nothing to see but the old worm-eaten wood andblackened tiles. 

"I've brought both, sir, " said Peter breathlessly, and all eagernessnow, for he was ashamed of his fright. 

"Wrench it open, then, " said the doctor; and after a few sharp cracksthe rotten old door gave way, and swung upon its rusty hinges, when astrange sight met the eyes of those who pressed forward into the furtherloft. 

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE. 

A STARTLING DISCOVERY. 

The rough loft had been turned into a kind of dwelling-place, for therewas a bed close under the tiles, composed of hay, upon which, neatlyspread, were a couple of blankets. On the other side were a plate, aknife, a piece of bread, and a jam-pot, while in the centre were somerough boxes and an old cage, on the top of which sat the raggedsquirrel. 

"There, " said Peter triumphantly, as he pointed to the squirrel. 

The doctor was looking eagerly round in search of the dweller in thisdismal loft, but there was no one visible. 

"Found him, sir?" came from below. 

"No, not yet, " replied the doctor. "Here, Peter, go up that otherplace. "

There was no hesitation on the groom's part now. He sprang up thesecond ladder and went along under the roof, but only to come backshaking his head. 

"No one up there, sir. "

"Are you sure he did not come down!" cried the doctor, as Peter lifted arough trap at the side, through which, in bygone days, the horses' hayhad been thrust down. 

"Quite sure, sir, " shouted back Dan'l. "I just see his legs comingdown, and he snatched 'em up again, and slammed the trap. "

"The young rascal!" said the doctor; "he's here somewhere. There mustbe some loose boards under which he is hidden. "

But there was not a loose board big enough to hide Bob Dimsted; andafter another search the doctor rubbed his head in a perplexed manner. 

"Shall I come up, sir, and have a look?" said Dan'l. 

"No, no. Stay where you are, and keep a sharp look-out, " cried thedoctor. "Why, look here, " he continued to Helen; "the young scoundrelhas been leading a nice life here, like a Robinson Crusoe in anuninhabited island. Ah! at last!" shouted the doctor, staring straightbefore him; "there he is. Here, Peter, hand me the gun!"

Peter stared at his master, whose eyes twinkled with satisfaction, forhis feint had had the desired effect--that of startling the hidingintruder. 

As the doctor's words rang out there was a strange rustling soundoverhead; and, as they all looked up, there came a loud crack, thenanother and another, and right up, nearly to the ridge of the roof, aleg came through, and then its fellow, in company with a shower ofbroken tiles, which rattled upon the rough floor of the loft. 

The owner of the legs began to make a desperate effort to withdraw them, and they kicked about in a variety of peculiar evolutions; but beforethey could be extricated, Peter had climbed up to an oaken beam, whichformed one of the roof ties, and from there reached out and seized oneof the legs by the ankle. 

"I've got him, " he cried gleefully. "Which shall we do, sir--pull himthrough, or get the ladder up to the roof and drag him out?"

"Here, Daniel! Come up, " said the doctor. 

The old gardener came up eagerly; and one of his cast-iron grinsexpanded his face as he grasped the situation. 

"Brayvo, Peter!" he cried. "That's the way to ketch a ghost. Hold himtight, lad!"

The doctor smiled. 

"Don't let them hurt him, papa, " whispered Helen. 

"Oh no; they shall not hurt him, " said the doctor quietly. Then, raising his voice--"Now, sir, will you come down quietly, or shall Isend for the police to drag you out on to the roof?"

An indistinct murmur came down, after a vigorous struggle to get free. 

"Woho! Woho, kicker!" cried Peter, speaking as if to a horse. 

"What does he say!" said the doctor. 

"Says he'll come down if I'll let go. "

"Don't you trust him, sir, " cried Dan'l excitedly. 

"I do not mean to, " said the doctor. "Will you come down quietly?" heshouted. 

There was another murmur. 

"Says `_yes_, ' sir, " cried Peter. 

"Then, look here, " said the doctor, "you hold him tight, and you, " hecontinued to the gardener, "climb up on that beam and push off a fewtiles. Then you can draw him down through there. "

"All right, sir, " cried Dan'l; and as Peter held on to the leg, the oldgardener, after a good deal of grunting and grumbling, climbed to hisside, and began to let in daylight by thrusting off tile after tile, which slid rattling down the side of the roof into the leaden guttering. 

The opening let in so much daylight that the appearance of the old loftwas quite transformed, but the group on the worm-eaten beam was theprincipal object of attention till just as Dan'l thrust off the fourthtile, when there was a loud crack, a crash, and gardener, groom, andtheir prisoner lay in a heap on the floor of the loft, while pieces oflath and tile rattled about their heads. 

The old tie had given way, and they came down with a rush, to theintense astonishment of all; but the distance to fall was only aboutfive feet, and the wonder connected with the fall was as nothing to thatfelt by Helen and her father, as the smallest figure of the triostruggled to his feet, and revealed the dusty, soot-smeared face ofDexter, with his eyes staring wildly from the Doctor to Helen and backagain. 

"Dexter!" cried Helen. 

"You, sir!" cried the doctor. 

"Well, I _ham_!" ejaculated Peter, getting up and giving his thigh aslap. 

Dan'l sat on the floor rubbing his back, and he uttered a grunt as hisface expanded till he displayed all his front teeth--a dismal array offour, and not worth a bite. 

"Are you hurt?" cried Helen. 

Dexter shook his head. 

"Are either of you hurt?" said the doctor frowning. 

"Screwed my off fetlock a bit, sir, " said Peter, stooping to feel hisright ankle. 

"Hurt?" growled Dan'l. "Well, sir, them's 'bout the hardest boards asever I felt. "

"Go and ask Mrs Millett to give you both some ale, " said the doctor;and the two men smiled as they heard their master's prescription. "Thengo on and tell the builder to come and patch up this old roof. Here, Dexter, come in. "

Dexter gave Peter a reproachful look, and limped after the doctor. 

"Well, let's go and have that glass o' beer Peter, " said Dan'l. "Talkabout pickles!"

"My!" said Peter, slapping his leg again. "Why, it were him we seeevery night, and as swum across the river. Why, he must ha' swum backwhen I'd gone. I say, Dan'l, what a game!"

"Hah!" ejaculated the old gardener, wiping his mouth in anticipation. "It's my b'lief, Peter, as that there boy'll turn out either a reg'largood un, or 'bout the wust as ever stepped. "

"Now, sir!" said the doctor, as he closed the door of the library, andthen with a stern look at the grimy object before him took a seatopposite Helen. "What have you to say for yourself!"

Dexter glanced at Helen, who would not meet his gaze. 

"Nothing, sir. "

"Oh, you have nothing to say! Let me see, now. You were sent to a goodschool to be taught by a gentleman, and treated as a special pupil. Youbehaved badly. You ran away. You came here and made yourself a den;you have been living by plunder ever since, and you have nothing tosay!"

Dexter was silent, but his face was working, his lips quivering, and histhroat seemed to swell as his breath came thick and fast. 

At last his words came in a passionate appeal, but in a broken, disjointed way; and it seemed as if the memory of all he had sufferedroused his nature into a passionate fit of indignation against theauthor of all the trouble. 

"I--I couldn't bear it, " he cried; "I tried so hard--so cruel--said hewas to break my spirit--that I was bad--he beat me--seven times--I didtry--you wanted me to--Miss Grayson wanted me to--I was always trying--punished me because--so stupid--but I tried--I took a bit of candle--Iwas trying to learn the piece--the other boys were asleep--he came up--he caned me till I--till I couldn't bear it--break my spirit--he saidhe'd break it--I dropped from the window--fell down and sprained myankle--but I walked--back here--then I was--afraid to tell you, and Ihid up there. "

There were no tears save in the boy's voice; but there was a ring ofpassionate agony and suffering in every tone and utterance; and, asHelen read in the gaunt figure, hollow eyes, and pallor of the cheekswhat the boy must have gone through, she turned in her chair, laid herarm on the back, her face went down upon it, and the tears came fast. 

The doctor was silent as the boy went on; his lips were compressed andhis brow rugged; but he did not speak, till, with wondering eyes, he sawDexter turn, go painfully toward where Helen sat with averted face, lookat her as if he wanted to speak, but the words would not come, and, witha sigh, he limped toward the door. 

"Where are you going, sir!" said the doctor roughly. 

"Up there, sir, " said Dexter, in a low-toned weary voice, which soundedas if all the spirit had gone. 

"Up there!" cried the doctor. 

"Yes, " said Dexter feebly; and without turning round--"to Mr Hippetts, and to Mr Sibery, sir. To take me back. It's no good. I did try so--hard--so hard--but I never had--no mother--no father--not like--otherboys--and--and--"

He looked wildly round, clutching at vacancy, and then reeled and fellheavily upon the carpet. 

For Mr Mastrum had done his work well. His system for breaking thespirit of unruly boys, and making them perfectly tame, seemed to havereached perfection. 

With a cry of horror Helen Grayson sprang from her seat, and sank uponher knees by Dexter's side, to catch his head to her breast, while thedoctor tore at the bell. 

"Bring brandy--water, quick!" he said; "the boy has fainted. "

It was quite true, and an hour elapsed before he looked wildly round atthose about him. 

He tried to rise, and struggled feebly. Then as they held him back hebegan to talk in a rapid disconnected way. 

"'Bliged to take it--so hungry--yes, sir--please, sir--I've come back, sir--come back, Mr Sibery, sir--if Mr Hippetts will let me stay--where's Mother Curdley--where's nurse!"

"O father!" whispered Helen excitedly! "Poor, poor boy! what does thismean?"

"Fever, " said the doctor gently, as he laid his hand upon the boy'sburning forehead and looked down in his wild eyes. "Yes, " he saidsoftly, "fever. He must have suffered terribly to have been brought tothis. "

CHAPTER FORTY SIX. 

FEVER WORKS WONDERS. 

Doctor Grayson's book stood still. 

For many years past he had given up the practice of medicine, beyondwriting out a prescription for his daughter or servants, but he calledin the services of no other medical man for poor Dexter. 

"No, my dear, " he said. "It is my fault entirely that the boy is inthis state, and if such knowledge as I possess can save him, he shallcome down hale and strong once more. "

So Dexter had the constant attention of a clever physician and twonurses, who watched by him night and day, the doctor often taking histurn to relieve Helen or Mrs Millett, so that a little rest might betheirs. 

And all through that weary time, while the fever was culminating, thosewho watched learned more of the poor fellow's sufferings at thescholastic establishment, during his flight, when he toiled homewardwith an injured foot, and afterwards when he had taken possession of hisold den, and often nearly starved there, in company with his squirrel--his old friend whom he found established in the loft, whence it salliedforth in search of food, as its master was obliged to do in turn. 

One night Helen went up to relieve Mrs Millett, and found Maria leaningagainst the door outside, crying silently, and this impressed her themore, from the fact that Peter and Dan'l had each been to the housethree times that day to ask how Master Dexter was. 

Maria hurried away, and Helen entered, to find old Mrs Millett standingby the bedside, holding one of the patient's thin white hands, andwatching him earnestly. 

"Don't say he's worse, " whispered Helen. 

"Hush, my dear, " whispered the old woman. "Ring, please, Miss; mastersaid I was to if I saw any change. "

Helen glided to the bell, and then ran back to the bed, to standtrembling with her hands clasped, and her eyes tearless now. 

The doctor's step was heard upon the stairs, and he enteredbreathlessly, and without a word crossed to the bed, to bend down overthe sufferer as he held his wrist. 

The silence in that room was terrible to two of the inmates, and thesuspense seemed to be drawn out until it was almost more than could beborne. 

At last the doctor turned away, and sank exhausted in a chair; and asHelen caught his hand in hers, and questioned him with her eyes, he saidin a low and reverent voice--

"Yes, Helen, our prayers have been heard. Poor fellow! he will live. "

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN. 

CONVALESCENCE. 

"Get out, " said Dan'l, some weeks later. "Tired? Why, I could pullthis here inv'lid-chair about the garden all day, my lad, and not knowit. "

"But why not rest under one of the trees for a bit?" said Dexter. 

"'Cause I don't want to rest; and if I did, it might give you a chill. Why, you're light as light, and this is nothing to the big roller. "

"I'm afraid I'm a great deal of trouble to you all, " said Dexter, as hesat back, supported by a pillow, and looking very white, while from timeto time he raised a bunch of Dan'l's choicest flowers to his nose. 

"Trouble? Tchah! And, look here! master said you was to have as muchfruit as you liked. When'll you have another bunch o' grapes!"

"Oh, not yet, " said Dexter smiling, and he looked at the grim face ofthe old gardener, who walked slowly backwards as he drew the chair. 

"Well, look here, " said Dan'l, after a pause. "You can do as you like, but you take my advice. Peter's gone 'most off his head since mastersaid as you might go out for a drive in a day or two; but don't you bein no hurry. I can draw you about here, where it's all nice and warmand sheltered, and what I say is this: if you can find a better placefor a inv'lid to get strong in than my garden, I should like to see it. Humph! There's Missus Millett working her arms about like a madwindmill. Got some more jelly or blammondge for you, I s'pose. Lookyehere, Master Dexter, just you pitch that sorter thing over, and take tobeef underdone with the gravy in it. That'll set you up better thanjelleries and slops. "

Dan'l was right. Mrs Millett was waiting with a cup of calves'-feetjelly; and Maria had brought out a rug, because it seemed to be turningcold. 

Two days later Dan'l was called away to visit a sick relative, andPeter's face was red with pleasure as he brought the invalid chair up tothe door after lunch, and helped deposit the convalescent in his place, Helen and the doctor superintending, and Mrs Millett giving additionalorders, as Maria formed herself into a flesh and blood crutch. 

"There, Dexter, " said the doctor; "we shall be back before it's time foryou to come in. "

He nodded, and Helen bent down and kissed the boy. Then there was thecrushing of the wheels on the firm gravel, and Dexter lay back breathingin health. 

"Thought I was never going to have a pull at the chair, Mas' Dexter, "said Peter. "Old Dan'l gets too bad to live with. Thinks nobody can'ttake care of you but him. Let's see, though; he said I was to cut you abunch of them white grapes in Number 1 house, and there was two greenfigs quite ripe if you liked to have them. "

Peter pulled the carriage up and down the garden half a dozen times, listening the while till he heard the dull bang of the front door. 

"They're gone, " he said gleefully. "Come on!"

He went down the garden at a trot, and then carefully drew thewheeled-chair on to the grass at the bottom. 

"Peter, did you feed the squirrel!" said Dexter suddenly. 

Peter looked round very seriously, and shook his head. 

"Oh!" ejaculated Dexter. "Why didn't you feed the poor thing?"

"Wait a minute and you'll see, " said the groom; and, drawing the chair alittle further, until it was close to the brink of the bright river, heturned round--

"Thought you'd like to feed him yourself, so I brought him down. "

There, on a willow branch, hung the old cage, with the squirrel inside, and Peter thrust his hand into his pocket to withdraw it full of nuts. 

But Peter had not finished his surprise, for he left the chair for a fewmoments and returned with Dexter's rod and line, and a bag of worms. 

"Going to fish?" said Dexter eagerly. 

"No, but I thought you'd like to now you was better, " said Peter. "There, you can fish as you sit there, and I'll put on your bait, andtake 'em off the hook. "

Dexter fished for half an hour, but he did not enjoy it, for he couldnot throw in his line without expecting to see Bob Dimsted on the otherside. So he soon pleaded fatigue, and was wheeled out into thesunshine, and to the door of the vinery, up which he had scrambled whenhe first came to the doctor's house. 

A week later he was down at Chale, in the Isle of Wight, where thedoctor had taken a house; and here, upon the warm sands, Dexter sat andlay day after day, drinking in the soft sea air, and gaining strength, while the doctor sat under an umbrella to think out fresh chapters forhis book, and Helen either read to her invalid or worked. 

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT. 

THE PROOF OF THE DOCTOR'S THEORY. 

Three years, as every one knows, look like what they are--twenty-sixthousand two hundred and eighty long hours from one side, and they looklike nothing from the other. They had passed pleasantly and well, forthe doctor had been so much pleased with his Isle of Wight house that hehad taken it for three years, and transported there the whole of hishousehold, excepting Dan'l, who was left in charge at Coleby. 

"You see, my dear, " the doctor had said; "it's a mistake for Dexter tobe at Coleby until he has gone through what we may call his caterpillarstage. We'll take him back a perfect--"

"Insect, papa?" said Helen, smiling. 

"No, no. You understand what I mean. "

So Dexter did not see Coleby during those three years, in which hestayed his terms at a school where the principal did not break thespirit of backward and unruly boys. On the contrary, he managed tocombine excellent teaching with the possession of plenty of animalspirits, and his new pupil gained credit, both at home and at theschool. 

"Now, " said the doctor, on the day of their return to the old home, ashe ran his eye proudly over the sturdy manly-looking boy he was takingback; "I think I can show Sir James I'm right, eh, my dear?"

Old Dan'l smiled a wonderful smile as Dexter went down the gardendirectly he got home. 

"Shake hands with you, my lad?" he said, in answer to an invitation;"why, I'm proud. What a fine un you have growed! But come and have alook round. I never had such a year for fruit before. "

Chuckling with satisfaction, the doctor was not content until he hadbrought Sir James and Lady Danby to the house to dinner, in company withtheir son, who had grown up into an exceedingly tall, thin, pale boywith a very supercilious smile. 

No allusion was made to the doctor's plan, but the dinner-party did notturn out a success, for the boys did not seem to get on together; andSir James said in confidence to Lady Danby that night, precisely whatDr Grayson said to Helen--

"They never shall be companions if I can help it. I don't like thatboy. "

Over the dessert, too, Sir James managed to upset Dexter's equanimity byan unlucky speech, which brought the colour to the boy's cheeks. 

"By the way, young fellow, " he said, "I had that old friend of yours upbefore me, about a month ago, for the second time. "

Dexter looked at him with a troubled look, and Sir James went on, as hesipped his claret. 

"You know--Bob Dimsted. Terrible young blackguard. Always poaching. Good thing if they had a press-gang for the army, and such fellows as hewere forced to serve. "

It was at breakfast the next morning that the doctor waited till Dexterhad left the table, and then turned to Helen--

"I shall not forgive Danby that unkind remark, " he said. "I couldhonestly do it now, and say, `There, sir, I told you I could make agentleman out of any material that I liked to select; and I've done it. 'But no: I'll wait till Dexter has passed all his examinations atSandhurst, and won his commission, and then--Yes, Maria--what is it!"

"Letter, sir, from the Union, " said Maria. 

"Humph! Dear me! What's this? Want me to turn guardian again, and Ishall not. Eh, bless my heart! Well, well, I suppose we must. "

He passed the letter to Helen, and she read Mr Hippetts formal piece ofdiction, to the effect that one of the old inmates, a Mrs Curdley, wasin a dying state, and she had several times asked to see the boy she hadnursed--Obed Coleby. During the doctor's absence from the town themaster had not felt that he could apply; but as Dr Grayson hadreturned, if he would not mind his adopted son visiting the poor oldwoman, who had been very kind to him as a child, it would be aChristian-like deed. 

"Yes; yes, of course, of course, " said the doctor; and he called Dexterin. 

"Oh yes!" cried the lad, as he heard the request. "I remember all shedid for me so well, and--and--I have never been to see her since. "

"My fault--my fault, my boy, " said the doctor hastily. "There, we shallgo and see her now. "

There were only two familiar faces for Dexter to encounter, first, namely, those of Mr Hippetts and the schoolmaster, both of whomexpressed themselves as being proud to shake their old pupil's hand. 

Then they ascended to the infirmary, where the old nurse lay verycomfortable and well cared for, and looking as if she might last formonths. 

Her eyes lit up as she saw Dexter; and, when he approached, she held outher hand, and made him sit down beside her. 

"And growed such a fine chap!" she said, again and again. 

She had little more to say, beyond exacting a promise that he would comeand see her once again, and when he was about to leave she put a small, dirty-looking, brown-paper packet in his hand. 

"There, " she said. "I'd no business to, and he'd ha' took it away ifhe'd ha' known; but he didn't; and it's yours, for it was in yourfather's pocket when he come here and died. "

The "he" the poor old woman meant was the workhouse master, and thepacket was opened in his presence, and found to contain a child's linenunder-garment plainly marked--"Max Vanburgh, 12, " and a child'shighly-coloured toy picture-book, frayed and torn, and furtherdisfigured by having been doubled in half and then doubled again, sothat it would easily go in a man's pocket. 

It was the familiar old story of Little Red Riding-Hood, but theparticular feature was an inscription upon the cover written in adelicate feminine hand--

 "For my darling Max on his birthday, June 30th, 18--. Alice Vanburgh, The Beeches, Daneton. "

"But you told me the boy's father was a rough, drunken tramp, who diedin the infirmary. "

"Yes, sir, I did, " said Mr Hippetts, when he had a private interviewwith the doctor next day. "But it seems strange. "

"Very, " said the doctor. 

Helen also agreed that it was very strange, and investigations followed, the result of which proved, beyond doubt, that Dexter Grayson, otherwiseObed Coleby, was really Maximilian Vanburgh, the son of Captain Vanburghand Alice, his wife, both of whom died within two years of the day when, through the carelessness of a servant, the little fellow strayed awayout through the gate and on to the high-road, where he was found farfrom home, crying, by the rough, tipsy scoundrel who passed that way. 

The little fellow's trouble appealed to what heart there was left in theman's breast, and he carried him on, miles away, careless as to whom hebelonged to, and, day by day, further from the spot where the search wasgoing on. The child amused him; and in his way he was kind to it, whilethe little fellow was of an age to take to any one who played with andpetted him. Rewards and advertisements were vain, for they neverreached the man's eyes, and his journeyings were on and on through alittle-frequented part of the country, where it was nobody's business toask a rough tramp how he came by the neglected-looking, ragged child, who clung to him affectionately enough. The little fellow was happywith him for quite three months, as comparison of dates proved, and whatseemed strange became mere matter of fact--to wit, that Dexter was agentleman by birth. 

All this took time to work out, but it was proved incontestably, the oldnurse having saved all that the rough fellow had left of his littlecompanion's belongings; and when everything was made plain, there wasthe fact that Dexter was an orphan, and that he had found a home thatwas all a boy could desire. 

"There, papa! what have you to say now?" said Helen to the doctor oneday. 

"Say?" he said testily. "Danby will laugh at me when he knows, anddeclare my theory is absurd. I shall never finish that book. "

"But you will not try such an experiment again?" said Helen laughingly. 

Just then Dexter came in sight, bright, frank, and manly, and merrilywhistling one of Helen's favourite airs. 

"No, " said the doctor sharply; and then--"God bless him! Yes: if it wasto be the making of such a boy as that!"

THE END.