und.

These thoughts were lightning-like, as he swung his rod-butt round, and
brought it down heavily upon a big mongrel dog that splashed through the
shallows, knocked it right over, to lie yelping and whining as it tore
up water and sand, the second dog contenting itself with yapping,
snarling, and making little charges, till a lucky blow caught it upon
the leg, and sent it howling back.

This was sufficient for the moment, and Ralph began to retreat, with the
men following him.

"There," shouted the one who seemed to be the leader. "It's of no use,
so you may give in. We know you, so come out, fish and all. You
haven't no right up here."

Ralph made no reply, but flushing with anger and annoyance, he hurried
on over the shallows, with the men now in full pursuit, shouting, too,
at the dogs, and urging them to renew their attack.

"What an idiot I have been!" muttered the lad, as he splashed on,
wishing that he was on open ground, so that he could run; but wishing
was in vain. He was unarmed, too, save for the stout ash-butt of his
spliced rod, and he knew that it would be impossible to defend himself
with that for long against four strong men, who were apparently only too
eager to get hold of the heir of the rival house, and drag him before
their lord. For that they were Sir Edward Eden's men the lad had not a
doubt.

But Ralph had little time for thought; action was the thing, and he
splashed on, glancing from right to left to find a spot where he could
land and take to his heels--an impossibility there, for he soon saw that
his only chance was to climb, and that chance was small.

Then, as the men followed some forty yards behind, he saw the light of
hope. Not far ahead, the water looked black and still, as it glided
through a narrow defile, shut in by the rocks. That meant deep water;
but if he could reach that, he would have to swim, and the men probably
would not dare to follow.

Already the shallows were coming to an end, the water reaching to his
knees; and it was here that, encouraged and bullied into making a fresh
attack, the dogs overtook him once more, and half swimming, half making
leaps, they came at him, the bigger avoiding a blow, and seizing him by
the left, fortunately without hurt, the animal's teeth meeting only in
the padding of the short breeches of the period; but it held on,
growling, and shaking its head violently, while its companion, after a
deal of barking, dashed in on th