ts
pipe-leads from where it hung over the rafters of his shed, and striding
down to a suitable shallow where a shoal of small fish could be seen, he
ranged the net upon his arm, holding the cord tightly, and, giving
himself a spin round, threw the net so that it spread out flat, with the
pipe-leads flying out centrifugally, and covering a good deal of space,
the leads driving the fish into the centre. When it was drawn a couple
of dozen young roach and rudd were made captives, and transferred to the
bucket of water Jacob brought.

"Fetch that little bit o' net and a piece o' band, lad," said the
wheelwright; and as soon as Jacob reappeared, Hickathrift bound the fine
net over the top of the pail, and lowered it by the cord into a deep
cold pool close by the punt.

"Theer they'll be all ready and lively for you in the morning, and
you'll hev better sport than you would wi' a gun."

Opinions are various, and Dick's were very different to the
wheelwright's; but he accepted his rebuff with as good a grace as he
could, and went home.

The next morning was delicious. One of those lovely summer-times when
the sky is blue, and the earth is just in its most beautiful robe of
green.

"Going on the mere, Dick?" said his father. "Well, don't get drowned or
bogged."

"Dick will take care," said Mrs Winthorpe, who was busy cutting
provender.

"Tom Tallington going with you?" said the squire.

"No, father; I'm going alone."

"I wish you could have come with me, Hicky!" said Dick, as, laden with
his basket of fishing-tackle and provender, he took his place in the
punt.

"Ay, and I wish so too," said the wheelwright, smiling, as he drew up
and uncovered the pail of bait to set it in the boat. "Bud too busy.
Theer you are! Now, go along, and don't stop tempting a man who ought
to be at work. Be off!"

To secure himself against further temptation he gave the punt a push
which sent it several yards away; so, picking up the pole, Dick thrust
it down and soon left the Toft behind, while the water glistened, the
marsh-marigolds glowed, and the reeds looked quite purple in places, so
dark was their green.

Dick poled himself along, watching the water-fowl and the rising herons
disturbed in their fishing, while here and there he could see plenty of
small fish playing about the surface of the mere; but he was not in an
angling humour, and though the tempting baits played about in the bucket
he did not select any to hook a