ontinued Dick.

"Yes; but he would behave just the same as the other," said the
engineer.

"Here's Dave," said Dick. "Hoy, Dave!"

The decoy-man came slowly down toward the shore to meet them, and waved
his hand in answer to Dick's call.

"Oh, I am sorry!" cried the latter. "I wish I'd brought him something
too. I daresay he's as bad as John Warren."

Dave's appearance proved the truth of Dick's assertion. The decoy-man
never looked healthy, but now he seemed ghastly of aspect and
exceedingly weak, as he leaned upon the tall staff he held in his hand.

"We've come to see how you are, Dave," cried Dick as the boat bumped up
against the boggy edge of the landing-place.

"That's kindly, Mester Dick. Servant, mester. How do, neighbour?"

Dave's head went up and down as if he had a hinge at the back; and as
the party landed, he too shivered and looked exceedingly feverish and
ill.

"Why, Dave, my man, you ought to see a doctor!" said Mr Marston,
kindly.

"Nay, sir, no good to do ought but bear it. Soon be gone. Only a
shivering fit."

"Well, I'm trying to doctor you," said the engineer, laughing. "Once we
get the fen drained, ague will begin to die out."

"Think so, mester?"

"I am sure so."

"Hear that, neighbour?" said Dave, looking at Hickathrift. "Think o'
the fen wi'out the shakes."

"We can't stop, Dave," cried Dick; "because we've got to get home, for
Mr Marston to walk over to the sea-bank to-night; but I'll come over
and see you to-morrow and bring you something. What would you like?"

"What you heven't got, Mester Dick," said the fen-man, showing his
yellow teeth. "Bit of opium or a drop o' lodolum. Nay, I don't want
you to send me owt. Neighbour Hick'thrift here'll get me some when he
goes over to market."

Hickathrift nodded, and after a little more conversation the party
returned toward the boat.

"Straange and thick to-night, Mester Dick," said Dave. "Be thicker
soon. Yow couldn't pole the boat across wi'out losing your way."

"Couldn't I?" cried Dick. "Oh, yes, I could! Good-night! I want you
to show Mr Marston some sport with the ducks some day."

"Ay; you bring him over, Mester Dick, and we'll hev' a good turn at the
'coy. Good-night!"

They pushed off, and before they were fifty yards from the shore the
boat seemed to enter a bank of mist, so thick that the wheelwright, as
he poled, was almost invisible from where Mr Marston and Dick were
seated.

"I say, H