Where did you hit him?"

"Where I could. You can't pick your place when you try to hit Solomon.
You must look sharp or you'll get it first."

"But he wouldn't be so disagreeable if you were kind to him," said Tom.
"Poor old Sol, then!"

There was a sharp twist of the donkey's neck, and, quick as lightning,
the fierce little animal made a grab at Tom. Fortunately he missed his
shoulder, but he got tightly hold of the sleeve of his coat, and held on
till Dick gave him a furious kick, when he let go.

"Kick him again, Dick!" cried Tom, who looked very pale. "Ugh! the
treacherous beast!"

"It's his nature," said Dick coolly, as he resumed his position and
leaned over the donkey's back. "He always was so from a foal! Father's
always kind to dumb beasts, and feeds them well, and nurses them when
they're ill; but he often gives Solomon a crack. I say, look at old
Thorpeley; he's watching you now."

"He isn't; he's looking all round. I say, Dick, you can't tell where he
is looking. I wonder what makes any one squint like that!"

"Had one of his eyes knocked out and put in again upside down," said
Dick.

"Get out!" cried Tom.

"Haugh, haugh, haugh, haugh, haugh, haugh!" cried Solomon.

"There, he's laughing at you. I say, Dick, do you think he really does
watch us?"

"Sure of it. He thinks I houghed the poor horses. I know he does, and
he expects to find out that I did it by following me about."

"How do you know he suspects you?"

"Because he is always asking questions about our window being open that
night, and about how I found out there was something the matter with the
poor beasts. I say, Tom, I hate that fellow."

"So do I," said Tom in tones which indicated his loyalty to his friend.
"Let's serve him out!"

"Oh, but you mustn't! A constable is sworn in."

"What difference does that make?"

"I don't know, but he is; and he has a little staff in his pocket with a
brass crown upon it, and he says, `In the king's name!'"

"Well, let him if he likes. The king in London can't know what we do
down here in the fen. I say, let's serve him out!"

"No," said Dick, "it might get father into trouble. I say, I know what
I'll do if you like."

"What, take him out in a boat and upset it?"

"No, lend him Solomon to ride!"

As he spoke Dick looked at Tom and Tom looked at Dick before they both
burst into a hearty fit of laughter.

"Here, let's get away. He's coming!"

Dick turned to go, but