ss and gave me my change.

"Here, put your biscuits in your pocket, Burr," cried Mercer, "and we'll
go on now."

Saying which, he set the example, finished his ginger-beer, and made the
keeper's daughter smile by declaring it was better than ever.

"Glad you like it, sir; and of course you know I didn't mean you, as
I've trusted before, and will again, because you always pay."

"Thank-ye. I know whom you mean," he replied. "Come on."

As soon as we were out of sight of the cottage, Mercer laid an arm on my
shoulder.

"I can't say what I want to," he said quickly, "but I liked that, and I
won't ever forget it. If ever old Eely hits you, I'll go at him, see if
I don't, and I don't care how hard he knocks me about, and if ever I can
do anything for you, to save you from a caning, I will, or from any
other trouble. You see if I don't. I like you, Burr junior, that I do,
and--and do come along, or we shall be late."

CHAPTER THREE.

"What a fuss about nothing!" I thought to myself, as we went on, down a
beautiful lane, with tempting-looking woods on either side, and
fox-gloves on the banks, and other wild-flowers full of attractions to
me as a town boy. There was a delicious scent, too, in the air, which I
had yet to learn was from the young shoots of the fir-trees, growing
warm in the sunshine.

I had made no boy friendships up to then, and, as I glanced sideways at
the pleasant, frank face of the lad walking quickly by me, just at a
time when I had been oppressed by the loneliness of my position, fresh
from home and among strangers, a strong feeling of liking for him began
to spring up, and with it forgetfulness of the misery I had suffered.

"Hi! look! there he goes," cried Mercer just then, and he pointed up
into an oak tree.

"What is it?" I said excitedly.

"He's gone now; wait a minute, and you'll soon see another. There he
is--listen."

He held up his hand, and I stood all attention, but there was no sound
for a few minutes. Then from out of the woods came plainly.

_Chop chop, chop chop_.

"I can't see him," I said. "Some one's cutting down a tree."

Mercer burst into a roar of laughter.

"Oh, I say, you are a Cockney!" he cried. "Cutting down a tree! Why,
you don't seem to know anything about the country."

"Well," I rejoined rather warmly, "that isn't my fault. I've always
lived in London."

"Among the fogs and blacks. Never mind, you'll soon learn it all. I
did. Wish