for duck's meat, he would never do
for a piper."

With a large supply of ducks for the farm, the party returned by the way
they had come, Jack promising to pay ere long another visit to the
decoy.

Had it not been for Elizabeth, Jack would have found his time hang
rather heavily on his hands, but as soon as her day's work was over, and
she had resumed her distaff or spinning-wheel, he took his seat by her
side, and either read to her, or talked to her about the books which she
had read. Her quiet, gentle manner put him more in mind of his sister
Kate, than of Polly or Alethea, with whom he could not help occasionally
contrasting her. Not that he fancied he admired Alethea less than he
had done; but, at the same time, he could scarcely help acknowledging to
himself that he was greatly taken with Elizabeth's quiet and gentle
manners. It is possible that the desire to be with Elizabeth induced
him to offer his services to Dame Pearson as an assistant about the
farm, as he assured her he was well able to perform most of the duties
of a farm-servant; and he thus had ample employment in driving in the
cows, assisting in milking them, leading the horses to water, churning
the butter, of which the dame manufactured a considerable quantity, and
performing many other similar duties. He was very glad, however, when
on the third day after his arrival Master Pearson himself appeared at
the farm. Jack was anxious to hear whether the arrangements regarding
the purchase of cattle for Mr Strelley had been satisfactorily carried
out.

"Oh, yes, my young friend," answered Master Pearson, "the money was
honestly paid, and the cattle are now on their way south, and I will
warrant they arrive as safely as if Will Brinsmead himself had been
driving them. They will have no black-mail to pay, either to Master
Nevis or to any other cateran who is in the habit of levying it on the
road. I met a friend from Nottingham, and I've heard about your family;
and I sent them word that you were all safe, and would come back among
them some day,--so you need not make yourself unhappy on that score."

This information greatly relieved Jack's mind, and he was now far better
able than before to enjoy his visit to the farm. Soon after the return
of Master Pearson, much to Jack's satisfaction, Long Sam took his
departure. There was something about the man he did not at all like,
for in general he was overbearing and dictatorial, though he could be