138 ARDENMOHR. 



" A base pig-sticking allusion ; but how was it, 

 Fred?" 



" Oh ! just this : Hope was fishing opposite 

 me, and I was going down to another place, when 

 I came plump on a girl sketching ; and such a pretty 

 girl ! Of course I doffed my cap, and we exchanged 

 courtesies." 



" And what said ye to the bonnie bairn, my boy 

 Freddy?" 



"Informed her that it was a fine day, and that 

 the long-legged biped opposite belonged to me," 

 said Fred, laughing; "and she told me that her 

 brother and a friend were fishing a little way down 

 the river; so I joined them, and by-and-by Hope 

 forded, and did the civil." 



" Who were your friends, Ward ? " inquired the 

 Major. 



"Part of the household of Birkdrum, or some 

 such name : one, a Mr. Coles, a capital angler ; and 

 t'other, Morton, a youngster about Fred's age." 



" And Miss a a ? " 



"Morton also, sister to the boy. Fred and she 

 quickly got friendly in consuming cakes and honey." 



" No doubt ; and Hope Ward touched up her 

 sketches ? " 



