12 SPRING-TIDE. 



the serious up-turned weather-beaten coun- 

 tenances of the group often, I say, have 

 I, while contemplating this sight, prayed 

 for the simple faith of those poor clowns. 



J. Well, perhaps if I had lived longer 

 among them, as you have, I should be more 

 reconciled to their habits ; but their dialect 

 puzzles me sorely it is English run 

 mad ! 



S. There, again, let me venture to set 

 you right. It is no jargon, as many have 

 supposed ; on the contrary, it more resem- 

 bles the language of the great Alfred 

 you stare, but it is true than that I am 

 now using; and this I hope to show you 

 before we part. Well, Simon [Simon comes 

 forward] are we to have any sport to- 

 day ? 



Simon [making his obeisance]. I haups 

 zo, zur; there 's a girt un or two, about 

 dree pound a piece, down by them elmin 

 trees yander. 



