home all dripping, to be laughed at by my brothers, and to
get a scolding from Aunt Deb into the bargain, for I knew she would say
it was all my own fault, and that if I had not been prying into the
swan's nest, the bird would not have attacked me. I did not, however,
wish to lose my rod and basket of fish, and I thought it very probable
that if I left them, somebody else would carry them off. I asked my new
friend his name.

"Mark Riddle," he answered.

"Before I go I must get back my rod and basket of fish; it won't take us
long. Would you mind coming with me?"

"No, master, I don't mind; but I would advise you to be quick about it."

Mark helped me up, and as I soon got the use of my legs, we ran round
outside the trees as fast as we could go. The basket of fish was safe
enough on the bank, but the rod was floating away at some distance.

"Oh dear, oh dear. I shall never be able to get it," I exclaimed.

"What! Can't you swim, master?" asked Mark.

I confessed that I was afraid I could not swim far enough to bring it
in.

"Well, never you mind. I'll have it in a jiffy," and stripping off his
clothes he plunged into the water and soon brought in the rod.

"There's a fish on the hook I've a notion," he said, as he handed me the
butt end of the rod.

He was right, and as he was dressing, not taking long to rub himself dry
with his handkerchief, I landed a fine fat tench.

"That belongs to you," I said. "And, indeed, I ought to give you all
the fish I have in my basket."

"Much obliged, master; but I've got a fine lot myself, which I pulled
out of the pond this morning, only don't you say a word about it, for
the Squire, I've a notion, doesn't allow us poor people to come fishing
here."

I assured Mark that I would not inform against him, and having taken my
rod to pieces and wound up my line, I said that I was ready to set out.
Mark by that time was completely dressed. Just as we were about to
start I saw the swan--I suppose the same one which had dragged me across
the pond--come swimming back at a rapid rate towards where we were
standing, in the neighbourhood, as I well knew, of her nest. Whether or
not she fancied we were about to interfere with her young, we could not
tell, but we agreed that it was well to beat a retreat. We accordingly
set off and ran on until we reached the further end of the pond, when
Mark, asking me to stop a minute, disappeared among the bushes, and in a
few minutes