rning go down behind the trees, where they
overhang the stream, and don't show so much as your nose, let alone your
shadow, for it would send them flying. Then gently throw your fly."

[Note: a chevin is a chub.]

"How can you," said Ralph quickly, "with the boughs overhanging the
water?"

"Good, lad! what I expected you to say; but there is where the guile
comes in. I don't want you to throw your fly into the water, but to let
it drop on the leaves just above it, a few inches or a foot, and then
shake the line tenderly, till the bee softly rolls off, and drops
naturally from a leaf, hardly making a splash. Then you'll find that
there will be a dimple on the water, the smacking of two lips, and the
chevin will have taken the bait. Then it is your fault if it is not
laid in your creel."

"Thank you, Master Rayburn; I'll try. I haven't had a fish since I was
wounded."

"No: it would have been bad work if you had gone whipping about, and
irritating the two little holes in your arm. Well, how is it?"

"Oh, quite well now," said the lad, as he carefully hooked the bees in
his cap, and twisted the hair to which they were attached under the
band; "and I've come to say how thankful I am for all you have done for
me, and--"

"That's enough, my dear boy," cried the old man warmly; "look the rest.
And now about those wild men of the mountains; have you heard how they
are going on?"

"A little; not much."

"Ah, you don't know, or you would not talk about a little. Why, Ralph,
boy, the country round is full of complaints of their doings. About a
dozen great idle scoundrels are living up at Ergles in that cave, laying
the people for miles round under contribution; picking the fat of the
land, and committing outrage after outrage. Only during the past week,
I've had to bind up two broken heads, and strap up a broken shoulder,
where the poor fellows had made a brave fight for it--one man against
seven or eight."

"You don't mean that!" cried Ralph flushing.

"But I do, boy. They are growing worse and worse, and making themselves
a scourge to the country."

"I did not know it was so bad."

"No, I suppose not, sir; and here are you people living safely in your
castles, with plenty of stout men about you, ready to arm and defend you
behind your walls and gates. But if the scoundrels came and robbed you,
perhaps you would do something. Don't you think you ought to begin?"

"Yes, that I do," cried Ralph quickl