when he reached that young gentleman's
study.

Besides his rod, Tom had a somewhat cumbersome bag, which, as it carried
most of the provisions for the whole party, he was not a little surly
about being burdened with.

Charlie, of course, thought it was his and Tom's dinner.

"Is that the grub?" he cried. "Why, Tom Drift, you have been laying in
a spread! What a brick you are! Look here, I'd carry it--isn't it a
weight, though! If we get all this inside us two we shan't starve!"

And so they started, Charlie lugging along the bag and whistling like a
lark.

"Looks cloudy," said Tom, who felt he must say something or other.

"Never mind, all the better for the trout, you know. I say, I wish I
had my fly on the water this minute."

As Tom was silent, Charlie kept up the conversation by himself.

"I say, Tom Drift," said he, "if your mother could only see us two chaps
going off for a day's fishing she--"

"Look here, draw it mild about my mother, young un. She can take care
of herself well enough."

Charlie blushed to the roots of his hair at this rebuke, and for some
time the flow of his conversation was arrested.

It was a good four miles from Randlebury to Sharle Bridge; and long ere
they reached it Charlie's arm ached with the ponderous bag he was
carrying. He did not, however, like to say anything, still less to ask
Tom to take a turn at carrying it; so he plodded on, changing hands
every few minutes, and buoying himself up with the prospect of the river
and the trout.

Presently they came within sight of the signpost which marks the
junction of the Gurley and Sharle Bridge roads.

"Here we are at last!" cried Charlie, panting and puffing. "I say, Tom
Drift, I don't believe I could have carried this bag any farther if I'd
tried."

"It'll be lighter when we go home. Hullo! who are these three?" for at
this moment Gus, Margetson, and Shadbolt made their appearance.

"They look like Randlebury fellows by their caps. Oh, I know who one of
them is," added Charlie-- "Margetson, in the fourth; don't you know
him?"

"Rather!" replied Tom; "and the other two are Shaddy and Gus. Who'd
have thought of meeting _them_!" and he gave a whistle, which succeeded
in attracting the attention of the worthy trio.

Of course their surprise at meeting Tom and his companion was no less
great--in fact, they had to inquire who the youngster was.

"Where are you off to?" demanded Gus.

"We're going to try our