e you laughing at me?" he said, bitterly.

"Eh? You there?" cried Vane, raising his head. "No, I was grinning at
the way those two fellows scuttled off. They made sure they were going
to be in the lock-up to-night."

"Where they ought to have been," said Distin.

"Oh, I don't know. They're half-wild sort of fellows--very cunning, and
all that sort of thing. I daresay I should have done as they did if I
had been a gipsy. But, never mind that now. They'll keep away from
Greythorpe for long enough to come."

He began dabbing his face with his handkerchief, and looking merrily at
Distin.

"I say," he cried; "I didn't know I could fight like that. Is my face
very queer?"

"It is bruised and swollen," said Distin, with an effort. "I'm afraid
it will be worse to-morrow."

"So am I, but we can't help it. Never mind, it will be a bit of a
holiday for me till the bruises don't show; and I can sit and think out
something else. Come and see me sometimes."

"I can't, Vane, I can't," cried Distin, wildly. "Do you think I have no
feeling?"

"Too much, I should say," cried Vane. "There, why don't you let it go?
Uncle says life isn't long enough for people to quarrel or make enemies.
That's all over; and, I say, I feel ever so much more comfortable now.
Haven't got such a thing as a tumbler in your pocket, have you?"

Distin looked in the bruised and battered face before him, wondering at
the lad's levity, as Vane continued:

"No, I suppose you haven't, and my silver cup is on the sideboard.
Never mind: here goes. Just stand close to me, and shout if you see any
leeches coming."

As he spoke, he lay down on his chest, reaching over another clear
portion of the stream.

"I must drink like a horse," he cried; and, placing his lips to the
surface, he took a long draught, rose, wiped his lips, drew a deep
breath, and exclaimed, "Hah! That was good."

Then he reeled, caught at the air, and would have fallen, but Distin
seized him, and lowered him to the ground, where he lay, looking very
ghastly, for a few minutes.

"Only a bit giddy," he said, faintly. "It will soon go off."

"I'll run and fetch help," cried Distin, excitedly.

"Nonsense! What for? I'm getting better. There: that's it."

He sat up, and, with Distin's help, struggled to his feet.

"How stupid of me!" he said, with a faint laugh. "I suppose it was
leaning over the water so long. I'm all right now."

He made a brave effort, and th