38 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



with a sorrowing smile, and then chose the only 

 fellow that had feared to wet himself. Who do 

 you think it was? Why, smooth-tongued John 

 Pengelly! John was ever a lucky fool, while I 

 was broken-hearted and unfit to leave this place, 

 and here I have been ever since. At last I have 

 an opportunity of reaching the goldfields but I 

 need an outfit and tools to be equal with my chum. 

 Fifty pounds is all I want and I shall be able to 

 make my fortune, but do let me have it quickly or 

 I shall lose my chance." 



" Phil, why do you smile ? Poor Jack, he would 

 be the first to jump in." 



" No doubt of it, Nell, but I am sorry he did not 

 send this letter sooner and get the help he so much 

 needed ; besides all the other fellows may have told 

 the tale by this time." 



" What does that matter ? I didn't think you 

 were so unfeeling, Phil. I don't believe your heart 

 would break if I fell overboard and was drowned." 



" What ! not break at the loss of you, little wife ! 

 Why ! if it didn't, I would tear the thing right out 

 and jump on it." 



From Exford we fished the Exe to Lyncombe 

 without let or hindrance ; the only objection came 

 from our shaggy friend, who considered the journey 

 unreasonable. From Withypool by the brook's side 

 to Bradley was another experience of making paths 

 through prickly furze and brambles to reach bends 

 in which there were depths that held fish innumer- 

 able, from which we half filled our little creel. 



For our last day we were on the moor, where the 

 Barle is but a trickle and there is little chance of 



