FRESH-WATER FISHES 221 



word. He thanked them, adding, Father and I have 

 to go to the village on business ; and I don't suppose 

 we shall be home till late ; so as you have finished 

 your beer I'll bid you good evening.' As they passed 

 over the bridge he saw them pause, and heard them 

 chuckle softly. 



Directly they were out of sight he whistled, and 

 Master Ike mad his appearance with a plank on his 

 shoulder. This he placed across the middle of the 

 pool. Then he and the young master returned with 

 a rusty and broken old-fashioned iron grate, having a 

 cord attached to it ; this they lowered into the middle 

 of the pool, throwing the end of the rope in the flags 

 to hide it. Having done that they marched off with 

 the plank. 



'Ike!' 



' Yes, master.' 



' You go in the kitchen and tell Mary to give you 

 a good supper and a pint of beer. After that go and 

 hide near the pits, and when you hear them coming 

 let me know by giving a few taps on the window.' 



At about half-past ten the lad heard footsteps in 

 the meadow, and at once communicated with his 

 master. From their hiding place in the shadow of 

 the old outbuildings they saw two figures come and 

 stand on the plank bridge, and then a splash was 



