d passed, for the men were working
harder than ever.

I was evidently in very bad odour with them, and I thought bitterly of
the old proverb about listeners never hearing any good of themselves.

What should I do--stop and try to hear more?

_Jig, jig, tug, tug_ at the top of my rod, and I looked down to see that
the float was out of sight and the rod nearly touching the water.

My fisherman's instinct made me strike at once, and in spite of the
agitation produced by the words I had heard I was ready for the exciting
struggle I expected to follow. I had certainly hooked a fish which
struggled and tugged to get away; but it was not the great carp or tench
I expected to capture, only a miserable little eel which I drew through
the water as I walked slowly along the ledge towards the end of the
works farthest from the wheel, where I climbed on the wall, and, still
dragging my prize, I went right on to the far end, where the water came
in from the stream. There I crossed the wooden plank that did duty for
a bridge, and glanced furtively back at the windows of the works looking
out upon the dam.

As far as I could make out I had not been seen, and I had obtained some
very valuable information that might be useful for our protection.

When I had reached the spot where I had begun fishing I drew in my
capture; but it was not a long eel, but a mass of twined-up, snake-like
fish which had wreathed itself into a knot with my line.

To get it free seemed to be impossible, so I cut off the piece of line
just above the knot and let it fall into the water to extricate itself,
while I went back to the office to have a few words with my uncles about
what I had heard.

"I think we are in duty bound to send you home, Cob," said Uncle Jack,
and the others murmured their acquiescence.

"Send me home!" I cried. "What! Just when all the fun is going to
begin!"

"Fun!" said Uncle Dick, "Fun that the frogs suffered when the boys
stoned them, eh?"

"Oh, but you know what I mean, uncle. I don't want to go."

"But we have run you into terrible risks already," cried Uncle Bob, "and
if you were hurt I should feel as if I could never face your father and
mother again."

"Oh, but I sha'n't be hurt," I cried. "There, I'm ready for anything,
and shall always try to get on the safe side."

"As you always do," said Uncle Jack grimly. "No, my boy, you must not
stay. It is evident from what you overheard that the men have some
de