made much better progress. The
stream was against him, and he found it hard work pulling against it.
But nothing seemed to daunt this boy's pluck.

"Put your back into it," he remembered an old boatman said, when last
summer's holiday he and his sisters were rowing on a tidal river at a
seaside resort, and now indeed he strove hard to put his back into his
rowing.

He was certainly making progress. To escape the force of the current
as far as possible he was creeping along by the shore. He was thinking
whether he would row as near as he could to the village, and then jump
out and tell Mr. Daw he had secured a boat, or whether he should row on
to where he had left the tub and bath.

"I want to have as little distance to row the laden boat as I can," he
said; "and I cannot take anyone to the house unless they will stay
there, as we shall want the boat. What fun we will have to-morrow
rowing about, and going for milk and things! I will point out the spot
to Mr. Daw's man where they can be brought."

He was just considering which course he should pursue when suddenly his
boat was stopped, and he heard some words which almost sent his heart
jumping to his mouth.

"I say, youngster, what was it you heard me and my mate say this
morning?"

CHAPTER V.

WITH TIED WRISTS.

Alfy turned. Yes, one of the men he had heard talking beside the
hedge, that morning, was leaning from the bank, and had stopped the
boat.

He looked lowering and threatening.

"You don't budge an inch," growled he, "till you've told me what you
have been to Squire Watkins's for."

"To borrow this boat."

"Something else as well," said the man. "What did you hear me and my
mate saying this morning, and what have you told about it?"

"What right have you to ask me?" replied Alfy sturdily.

"I'll soon show you the right," exclaimed the man gruffly, at the same
time raising his hand. "Now, then, out with it!"

"Out with what?" said Alfy doggedly.

Bang! Alfy felt a heavy blow on his head, which made the fire flash
from his eyes, and nearly knocked him overboard; but, tingling with
pain and indignation, he swept round the oar he held in his right hand,
and struck the man sharply on the shoulder.

His assailant seized the oar, and a smart struggle ensued, in which the
man's superior strength and position enabled him to be victorious. He
wrested the oars from Alfy, and then, after cuffing him soundly, and
calling him an "insol