Then  he  chucklefs  fit  to  bust  hisself,  and  cuts  his  stick,  while  I
creeps  out  full  o'  prickles,  and  wi'  my  breeches  tore  shameful.
Dang  un  !  "  cried  the  keeper,  whil§  Tom  roared,  "  he's  a  lissum
wosbird,  that  I  'ool  say,  but  I'll  be  upsides  wi'  he  next  time  I
sees  un.  Whorson  fool  I  was  not  to  stop  and  look  at  'n  and
speak  to  un  !  Then  I  should  ha'  know'd  'n  again  ;  and  now
he  med  be  our  parish  clerk  for  all  as  I  knows."

"  And  you've  never  met  him  since  ?  "

"  Never  sot  eye  on  un,  sir,  arly  or  late — wishes  I  had."

"  Well,  keeper,  here's  half  a  crown  to  go  toward  mending
the  hole  in  your  breeches,  and  better  luck  at  the  return  match.
I  shall  begin  fishing  here."

"  Thank  'ee,  sir  ;  you  keep  your  cast  pretty  nigh  that  there
off  bank,  and  you  njecl  h^ve  a  rare  goocl  un  ther.  .  I  seen  a


THE   EIVEESIDE.  405

fish  suck  there  just  now  as  warn't  spawned  this  year  nor  last
nether."

And  away  went  the  keeper.
