turning to bronzed silver patch after patch of
bracken that spread its broad fronds in glistening sheets five and six
feet high.

There was no tempting fishing-place here among the broad slopes, but
beyond there was more than one favourite spot from which in times past
the boy had taken many a speckled beauty, and to reach one of these he
was pressing on with arms raised, and creel and rod held high, simply
wading, as it were, through the rustling bracken, and every now and then
beating back some frond that attacked his face, when, all at once, he
stopped short, with his heart beating fast, for there was a quick rush,
and something sprang up from almost at his feet and dashed away.

The bracken was so thick that all he saw was the quivering fronds, and,
with no other thought than to catch a glimpse of the deer he had started
from its lair, Waller rapidly gave a turn to the ferrule which made one
rod of its two joints, and, using the butt to strike right and left at
the ferns which impeded his way, he dashed on for about a dozen yards,
and then stopped short. For he had brought his quarry to bay, forcing
it to turn upon him fiercely, while the boy's heart beat faster still
from the exertion mingled with his startled surprise.

But it was no fat buck with palmated antlers ready to be thrown forward
for a fierce attack, for in his rapid glance amongst the bracken Waller
found himself face to face with a lad of about his own age--no poaching
gipsy, given to preying upon the indwellers of the forest, but a
strange-looking, wild-eyed being, sunken of cheek, hollow of eye, and
with long unkempt hair hanging about his shoulders. Yet he was no
threatening beggar, for, in spite of his garments being muddied,
stained, and torn, he was well dressed, but menacing of aspect all the
same; for as he stood there, bareheaded and fierce, there was danger in
his dark flashing eyes, and a gleam of white, as, like those of some
animal, his thin lips were drawn from his glistening teeth.

"Who are you? What do you want?" cried Waller, in his excitement;
while, as the words left his lips, there was a quick movement upon the
stranger's part, and he felt for and drew something from his breast.

The next moment he was presenting a big flintlock pistol at his
pursuer's head.

CHAPTER TWO.

A SURRENDER.

Waller had a glimpse of the pistol as it was suddenly presented at his
head, and then he only saw what seemed to be a round, rust