do it at once.' I was really only too glad to oblige the dear,
honest fellow.

He was wonderfully pleased at my ready consent, and went off at once to
procure a board upon which my programme might be fastened. We soon made
out together a list of attractions, and I had great pleasure in
beautifying and illustrating the catalogue of sports.

I headed it thus:--

OYEZ, OYEZ!
RUNSWICK ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Then, from the R of Runswick I hung a long fishing net, covered with
floats, and falling down over a fish basket, and some lobster-pots,
whilst on the ground were lying a number of fish which had been emptied
out of the basket.

Next followed a list of patrons, such as: The Honourable O'Mackerell,
Lord Crabby Lobster, Sir C. Shrimp, etc., etc.

Then came a list of the various sports, each profusely illustrated--The
tug of war, the jockey race, the women's egg and spoon race, the sack
race, the greasy pole, the long jump, etc.; and lastly, an announcement
of a grand concert to be held in the evening, as a conclusion of the
festivities of the day.

Duncan was more than satisfied--he was delighted, and his gratitude knew
no bounds. His excitement, as he carried the board away to hang it in a
conspicuous place, was like the excitement of a child.

The whole village seemed to be stirred as the eventful day drew near.

'Are you going to see the great tug, big Mr. Jack?' my little friend
called to me over the wall as I was painting. As for the York boys,
Harry and Bob, they spent a great part of every day in admiring the
programme, and in bringing other visitors to see and admire the work of
_their_ artist.

How anxiously Duncan watched the sky the day before the sports, and how
triumphantly Polly announced, when I came down to breakfast, 'A fine
day, sir; couldn't be finer, could it now?'

Those village sports were really a pretty sight. I see it all in my
mind's eye now. I often wonder I have not made a picture of it. The high
cliff stretching overhead, and covered with bushes and bracken, amongst
which nestled the red-tiled cottages. Then below the cliff the level
green, covered with strong, hardy fishermen and their sunburnt wives,
and surrounding the green, on the sand-hills, the visitors old and
young, dressed in bright colours and holiday attire. Is it too late to
paint it from memory, I wonder? I see it all still so distinctly.

The sports lasted a long time, and went off well. Polly distinguished
herse