only be heavy
in the boat."

"Nay, put it in," said the man with a dry look. "Mebbe the fish would
like a drop. Mak' 'em bite."

The boys laughed, and stepped into the punt, which was soon gliding over
the dark waters that lay in pools and winding lane-like canals, Dave, in
his fox-skin cap, standing up in front and handling the pole, the boys
carefully examining the contents of the boat.

"What's in that bucket, Dave?"

"Never mind; you let it alone," said Dave gruffly; and Dick dropped the
net he was raising from the pail.

"Well, let's look at the basket, Dave."

"Nay; I wean't hev my hooks and lines tangled up just after I've laid
'em ready. Yow two wait and see when we get acrost to wheer the pike
lays."

"Oh, very well!" said Dick in a disappointed tone. "I would have shown
you what we've got in our basket."

"I know what you've got yow telled me," retorted Dave. "I don't want to
look at vittles; I want to taste 'em."

There was a pause, while Dave worked steadily away with his pole.

"I shall be glad when the summer comes again," said Tom.

"So shall I," cried Dick.

"Theer, I towd you so," cried Dave. "I knowed you'd find it ower cowd.
Let's go back."

"Go on with you!" cried Dick; "who said it was cold? I want the summer,
because of the sunshine, and the reeds and rushes turning green again,
and the birds."

"There's plenty o' birds," said Dave.

"Yes, but I mean singing birds, and nesting, and flowers, and the
warmth."

"Theer, I towd you so. You are cowd," cried Dave.

"When I'm cold I'm going to use the pole," said Dick. "I say isn't it
deep here, Dave?"

"Ay, theer's some deep holes hereabouts," said the man, trying in vain
to reach the bottom with his long pole. "They wean't dree-ern they in a
hurry, Mester Dick."

"Good job too, Dave! We don't want our fishing spoiled. Now, then, how
much further are you going?"

"Strite across to wheer we saw that big pike rise, my lad."

"Shall we catch him, Dave?"

"Mebbe yes; mebbe no, my lad. If he wants his dinner, and we sets it
down by his door stoop, he'll tek it. If he's hed his dinner he wean't
touch it."

"Then let's make haste and get there before dinnertime," cried Tom.
"Pole away, Dave."

"Nay, we've got to go quiet-like, my lad. We don't want to scare the
fish, and send 'em to the bottom to lie sulky. Nice wisp o' duck yon."

He nodded to a long string of wild-fowl flying low over the
melancholy-looking w