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"Shall we get in, Dave?" cried Tom. "Get in, lad! Why, what for?" "Now, Dave, don't go on like that," cried Dick impatiently. "Let's get on, there's a good fellow. I do want to see you work the decoy." "Oh, you don't care for that! 'Sides, I want to go to Hickathrift's to see his dunky pigs." "Nonsense! What do you want to see the dunks for?" "Thinking o' keeping a pig o' my own out thar, lads.
Hence it was that the time glided pleasantly on, with the two lads finding plenty of opportunities for the various amusements which gratified them when not occupied in some way about the farms. It was a few days after the conversation with the squire that Tom proposed a turn after the fish in Hickathrift's boat. "We could pole ourselves without Dave; and let's ask Mr Marston to come.
By breakfast-time Farmer Tallington had heard the news, and was over with Tom, each ready to listen to the squire's and Dick's account; and before nine o'clock Dave and John Warren, who had come over to Hickathrift's, to find him from home, came on to the Toft to talk with Dick and Tom, and stare and gape.
"You're all right up on the Toft. 'Member the big flood, squire?" "Ay, fifteen years ago, Tallington, when I came down to you in Hickathrift's duck-punt, and we fetched you and Tom's mother out of the top window." "Ay, but it weer a bad time, and it's a good job we don't hev such floods o' watter now." "Ay 'tis," said the squire. "My word, but the sea must bite to-night.
"No, Dick, that will not do; we shall only be shutting ourselves up too and frightening your mother to death. We must get home and then on to Hickathrift's. He has a big punt there." "Yes, father, but it hasn't been mended. I saw it this afternoon." "Then he has wood, and we must make a raft. Come on. Here: your hand."
"We want Hickathrift's dog here," cried Dick. "What for, lad? what for?" said Dave, laughing. "To catch the hares." "Nay, yow want no dog," said Dave. "Easy enough to catch hares." "Easy! How?" cried Tom. "Go up to 'em and catch 'em," said Dave coolly. "Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Dick, and his companion joined in. "I should like to see you catch a hare, Dave." "Shouldst ta, lad? Very well, wait a bit."
But they had not partaken of many mouthfuls before they heard the squire's voice outside, in hurried conversation with Hickathrift. "Yes, I sent him off directly on the cob," the squire said; "but it must be some hours before the doctor can get here." "Think he's very badly, squire?" came next, in Hickathrift's deep bass.
"Now, Dick!" shouted his father, "run down and rouse up the people at the cottages." Dick ran out, and down past the old Priory ruins, to where a cluster of cottages, half-way to Hickathrift's, were occupied by the people who worked upon the farm; and, distant as the fire was, he could yet see the ruddy glow upon the water before him. Half-way there, he heard a shout: "Who's there!"
"Haw haw haw haw!" rang out like the bray of a donkey with a bad cold; and Jacob, Hickathrift's lad, threw back his head, and roared till his master gave him a sounding slap on the back, and made him close his mouth with a snap, look serious, and go on with his work. "Jacob laughs just like our old Solemn-un, sometimes," said Dick merrily. "Come along!"
"How long will it be before the doctor can get here?" she said hoarsely, as she passed her arm under the injured man's neck, and pressed her lips to his white brow. "Hickathrift's lad went off at a hard gallop," said Farmer Tallington in a voice full of sympathy. "Please God, Mrs Winthorpe, we'll save him yet."
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