d in a rhubarb leaf, and the bread swung in
Bob's dirty neckerchief.

"Here y'are!" he cried, as he stepped into the boat and pushed off
quickly, as if he felt safer when they were on the move. "We'll go
lower down, and then I'll show you such a game."

"Let's have some bread and butter first," said Dexter.

"No, we won't; not till we get further away. We'll get some fish first
and light a fire and cook 'em, and--pull away--I'll show yer."

Dexter obeyed; but his curiosity was excited.

"Going to catch some more fish!"

"You wait and you'll see," was the reply; and in the expectation of a
hearty meal matters looked more bright, especially as the day was
glorious, and the scenery beautiful all round.

No signs of pursuit being seen, Dexter was ready to laugh with his
companion now.

"I knew all the time," said Bob, with superior wisdom in every
intonation of his voice; "I should only have liked to see them come."

Dexter said nothing, and the next minute, as they were in a curve of the
river, where it flowed dark and deep, they ran the boat in once more
beside a meadow edged with pollard willows.

"Now then, I'll show you some fishing," cried Bob, as he secured the
boat.

"No, not now: let's have something to eat first," protested Dexter.

"Just you look here, young un, I'm captain," cried Bob. "Do you know
what cray-fish are!"

Dexter shook his head.

"Well, then, I'm just going to show yer."

The water was about two feet deep, and ran slowly along by a
perpendicular clayey bank on the side where they were, and, deliberately
undressing, Bob let himself down into the river, and then began to grope
along by the side, stooping from time to time to thrust his hand into
some hole.

"Here, undo that chain, and let her drift by me," he cried. "I shall
fish all along here."

Dexter obeyed--it seemed to be his fate to obey; and taking the
boat-hook he held on easily enough by tree after tree, for there was
scarcely any stream here, watching intently the while, as Bob kept on
thrusting his hand into some hole.

"Oh!" cried Bob suddenly, as he leaned down as far as he could reach,
and then rose slowly.

"Got one?"

"No: I missed him. It was an eel; I just felt him, and then he dodged
back. Such a big un! They're so jolly hard to hold."

This was exciting, and now Dexter began for the first time to be glad
that he had come.

"I've got him now!" cried Bob excitedly; and, rising from a stooping
p