dragged through basket-handles and
under hooks in the cart, I felt so much better that I got up and went
out into the yard, to find that the cart had been carefully reloaded.
Ike was standing on one of the wheels passing a cart-rope in and out, so
as to secure the baskets, and dragging it tight to fasten off here and
there.

He caught sight of me coming out of the house, feeling dull and
low-spirited, for this did not seem a very pleasant beginning of my new
career.

"Hah!" he ejaculated, letting himself down in a lumbering way from the
wheel, and then rubbing his right hand up and down his trouser-leg to
get it clean; "hah! now we'll have it out!"

He came right up to me, spreading out his open hand.

"Here, young un!" he cried; "the master says I did that thar a-purpose
to hurt you, out of jealous feeling like. What do you say?"

"It was an accident," I cried, eagerly.

"Hear that, master," cried Ike; "and that's a fact; so here's my hand,
and here's my heart. Why, I'd be ashamed o' mysen to hurt a bit of a
boy like you. It war an accident, lad, and that's honest. So now
what's it to be--shake hands or leave it alone?"

"Shake hands," I said, lifting mine with difficulty. "I don't think you
could have done such a cowardly thing."

I looked round sharply at Mr Brownsmith, for I felt as if I had said
something that would offend him, since I was taking sides against him.

"Be careful, please," I added quickly; "my arm's very bad, and you'll
hurt me."

"Careful!" cried Ike; "I'll shake it as easy as if it was a young shoot
o' sea-kale, boy. There, hear him, master! Hear what this here boy
says!"

He shook hands with me, I dare say thinking he was treating me very
gently, but he hurt me very much. The grip of his hard brown hand alone
was bad enough, but I bore it all as well as I could, and tried to smile
in the rough fellow's face.

"That's the sort as I like," he said in a good-humoured growl. "Put
that down on the slate. That's being a trump, that is; and we two's
shipmates after this here."

Old Brownsmith did not speak, and Ike went on:

"I say, master, what a bad un you do think me! I'd ha' hated myself as
long as I lived, and never forgive myself, if I'd done such a thing.
Look ye here--my monkey's up now, master--did yer ever know me ill-use
the 'orses?"

"No, Ike," said Old Brownsmith shortly.

"Never once. There's the white, and I give it a crack now and then; but
ask either Ca