n, that you
met me this night. On that condition I will show you some north-country
sport--on that alone, mind. You," he added, turning to Jack, "for I can
trust you by the tone of your voice, must answer for your friends in the
boat."

"Oh, yes! I will answer for them as I would for myself," said Jack,
who, forgetting his former good resolutions, was almost as eager as
Smedley to witness the new style of sport which the stranger promised
them.

Just then the boat of which they had been talking came stealthily in
sight, rowed by two other lads, much of the same age as Jack and his
friend. The latter with the Yorkshireman quickly stepped into her, when
without loss of time the boat glided again down the stream.

"This is a friend we have picked up, who is going to show us some sport,
Bligh," said Smedley in a low tone of voice. "We can trust him, and he
knows that he can trust us; so it is all right."

In a short time they entered the Trent, and quickly arrived at the weir,
which was formed by large stones roughly laid together, so as to throw
the water into a broad cascade, as it came tumbling over it to the lower
reach of the river. Smedley was more inclined to be talkative than Jack
or the other lads in the boat.

"What are we to call you, master?" he asked of the stranger.

"Call me Master Pearson; that is a good midland-county name enough," he
said with a low laugh. "You have not got a leister in the boat, have
you? I have an idea, from the look of the place, that if I had one, I
could catch you a salmon quicker than by any other way."

The leister of which Master Pearson spoke is a three-pronged fork used
for spearing fish.

"No," answered Smedley; "none of us are good hands at using such a
thing."

"Well, just pull in here to the bank, and I will see if I cannot get a
stick which will answer the purpose," answered Master Pearson.

Without having to search long, he found a stake which had been driven
into the stream to prevent drawing nets across it. The stick apparently
suiting his fancy, with a piece of wire, with great dexterity, he in a
short time manufactured a pronged harpoon. Balancing it in his hand, he
seemed satisfied with his performance. Sitting down in the boat, he
next took off his boots and long-skirted great coat, which he deposited
on the seat, and then, tucking up his ample trousers, waded up to the
weir, while the boat was still rocking some distance from it. Jack
followe