86 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



like. We don't let 'em stay out on the water o' 

 nights, fear o' the foxes. I've seen two on 'em 

 go down myself, both at one time ; not in daytime, 

 but when they come across this 'ere bit fur to be 

 shut up o' nights. I've druv 'em in early to-night. 

 Now Marksman made sure as ye could tell me 

 what it is as pulls 'em under." 



" Have you got any pike about ?" 



" What's that ? " 



" Why, jacks." 



"Jacks ? yes, lots on 'em. I catches 'em some- 

 times on night-lines, baits 'em with a trout." 



" Well, it's just a large jack that takes the old 

 lady's ducks." 



"No, can't be that ; I've tried fur un all sorts 

 o' ways with roaches, daces, gudgeon, and trout ; 

 it wun't hev none on 'em." 



" And yet you say something takes the ducks. 

 Is there any fish at the mouth of that stream that 

 runs into the pond ? " 



"'Tis just alive with 'em, one sort or t'other. 

 Marksman said as how you'd be sure to know 

 all about it." This the young man reiterated 

 persistently. 



