n orderly enough, till they had proceeded a long
way on, in and out, for a quarter of a mile, when at a word from Dave
the splashing and stabbing of the water grew more vigorous, the punt
being now pretty close to the net, the irregular row of bundles of
rushes showing plainly.

And now Dave executed a fresh evolution, changing the position of the
punt, for instead of its approaching end on, he turned it abreast, so
that it pretty well touched the reedy sides of the canal, and with the
poles now being plied on one side, the boat was made to approach more
slowly.

"Now, mester, you'd better stand up," said Dave.

"Yes, Mr Marston, stand up," cried Dick. "Look!"

Marston rose to his feet, and as he looked toward the entrance where the
net was spread there was a wave-like swell upon the surface, which might
have been caused by the movement of the boat or by fish.

There was no doubt about its being caused by fish, for all at once,
close by the row of rush bundles, there was a splash. Then, as they
approached, another and another.

"They're feeling the net," cried Dick excitedly.

"Ay, keep it oop, lads, or they'll come back," cried Dave, making the
water swirl with his pole, which he worked about vigorously.

Even as he spoke there came another splash, and this time the sun
flashed upon the glittering sides of the fish which darted out and fell
over the other side of the top line of the net.

"There goes one," shouted Tom.

"Ay, and theer goes another," said Dave with a chuckle as he forced the
boat along slowly.

And now, as Marston watched, he saw that the irregular line of rush
bundles which stretched across the mouth of the canal was changing its
shape, and he needed no telling that the regular semicircular form it
assumed was caused by the pressure of a shoal of fish seeking to escape
into the open mere, but of course checked by the fragile wall of net.

"There must be a lot, Tom," cried Dick excitedly. "Look, Mr Marston!
There goes another. Oh, Dave, we shall lose them all!"

This was consequent upon another good-sized fish flying out of the
water, falling heavily upon one of the rush floats, and then darting
away.

"Nay, we sha'n't lose 'em all," said Dave coolly. "Some on 'em's safe
to go. Now, then, splash away. Reach over your end, young Tom
Tallington, or some on 'em 'll go round that way."

Tom changed his place a little, to stand now on what had been the front
of their advance, and th