hist? I'll swear that was
an otter!'

'I hope not, sir, I'm sure. I haven't seen the spraint of one here
this two years.'

'There again--don't you see something move under that marl bank?'

Tregarva watched a moment, and then ran up to the spot, and throwing
himself on his face on the edge, leant over, grappled something--and
was instantly, to Lancelot's astonishment, grappled in his turn by a
rough, lank, white dog, whose teeth, however, could not get through
the velveteen sleeve.

'I'll give in, keeper! I'll give in. Doan't ye harm the dog! he's
deaf as a post, you knows.'

'I won't harm him if you take him off, and come up quietly.'

This mysterious conversation was carried on with a human head, which
peeped above the water, its arms supporting from beneath the
growling cur--such a visage as only worn-out poachers, or trampling
drovers, or London chiffonniers carry; pear-shaped and retreating to
a narrow peak above, while below, the bleared cheeks, and drooping
lips, and peering purblind eyes, perplexed, hopeless, defiant, and
yet sneaking, bespeak THEIR share in the 'inheritance of the kingdom
of heaven.'--Savages without the resources of a savage--slaves
without the protection of a master--to whom the cart-whip and the
rice-swamp would be a change for the better--for there, at least, is
food and shelter.

Slowly and distrustfully a dripping scarecrow of rags and bones rose
from his hiding-place in the water, and then stopped suddenly, and
seemed inclined to dash through the river; but Tregarva held him
fast.

'There's two on ye! That's a shame! I'll surrender to no man but
you, Paul. Hold off, or I'll set the dog on ye!'

'It's a gentleman fishing. He won't tell--will you, sir?' And he
turned to Lancelot. 'Have pity on the poor creature, sir, for God's
sake--it isn't often he gets it.'

'I won't tell, my man. I've not seen you doing any harm. Come out
like a man, and let's have a look at you.'

The creature crawled up the bank, and stood, abject and shivering,
with the dog growling from between his legs.

'I was only looking for a kingfisher's nest: indeed now, I was,
Paul Tregarva.'

'Don't lie, you were setting night-lines. I saw a minnow lie on the
bank as I came up. Don't lie; I hate liars.'

'Well indeed, then--a man must live somehow.'

'You don't seem to live by this trade, my friend,' quoth Lancelot;
'I cannot say it seems a prosperous business