Uncle Bob gave me a sharp look that seemed to go through me, and then
strode into the workshop, while I followed him trembling with anger and
misery, to think that I should have gone to sleep at such a time and let
the miscreants annoy us again like this.
"Not cut this time," said Uncle Bob to me, as we went from lathe to
lathe, and from to stone. Upstairs and downstairs it was all the same;
every band of leather, gutta-percha, catgut, had been taken away, and,
of course, the whole of this portion of the works would be brought to a
stand.
I felt as if stunned, and as guilty as if I had shared in the plot by
which the bands had been taken away.
The men were standing about stolidly watching us. They did not complain
about their work being at a stand-still, nor seem to mind that, as they
were paid by the amount they did, they would come short at the end of
the week: all they seemed interested in was the way in which we were
going to bear the loss, or act.
"Does not look like a walk for us, Cob," said Uncle Bob. "What a cruel
shame it is!"
"Uncle," I cried passionately, for we were alone now, "I can't tell you
how ashamed I am. It's disgraceful. I'm not fit to be trusted. I can
never forgive myself, but I did try so very very hard."
"Try, my boy!" he said taking my hand; "why, of course, you did. I
haven't blamed you."
"No, but I blame myself," I cried.
"Nonsense, my boy! Let that rest."
"But if I had kept awake I should have detected the scoundrel."
"No, you would not, Cob, because if you had been awake he would not have
come; your being asleep was his opportunity."
"But I ought not, being on sentry, to have gone to sleep."
"But, my dear Cob, people who are drugged cannot help going to sleep."
"Drugged!"
"To be sure. Didn't you say that you drank a little water and
afterwards grew sleepy?"
"But I did not know it was the water."
"Here, let me look at your bottle and glass."
I took him into the office and showed him the empty receptacles and the
two patches on the floor.
"Clumsily done, Cob," he said after looking at and smelling them. "This
was done to keep anyone suspicious from examining the water. Yes, Cob,
you were drugged."
"Oh, Uncle Bob," I cried excitedly, "I hope I was!"
"I don't see why you need be so hopeful, but it is very evident that you
were. There, don't worry yourself about it, my boy. You always do your
duty and we've plenty to think of without that. We shall spoil two
breakfasts at home."
"But, uncle," I cried, clinging to his arm, "do you really think I may
believe that my sleepiness came from being drugged?"
"Yes, yes, yes," he cried half angrily. "Now are you satisfied? Come
and let's have a look at the dog."
I felt quite guilty at having forgotten poor Piter so long, and
descending with my uncle we were soon kneeling by the kennel.
He had not stirred since I put him in, but lay snoring heavily, and no
amount of shaking seemed to have the least effect.
"The poor brute has had a strong dose, Cob," said Uncle Bob, "and if we
don't do something he will never wake again."
"Oh, uncle!" I cried, for his words sent a pang through me. I did not
know how much I had grown to like the faithful piece of ugliness till my
uncle had spoken as he did.
"Yes, the wretches have almost done for him, and I'm glad of it."
"Glad!" I cried as I lifted poor Piter's head in my hand and stroked
it.
"Glad it was that which made the poor brute silent. I thought he had
turned useless through his not giving the alarm."
"Can't we do something, uncle?" I cried.
"I'm thinking, Cob," he replied, "it's not an easy thing to give dogs
antidotes, and besides we don't know what he has taken. Must be some
narcotic though. I know what we'll do. Here, carry him down to the
dam."
A number of the workmen were looking on stolidly and whispering to one
another as if interested in what we were going to do about the dog.
Some were in the yard smoking, some on the stairs, and every man's hands
were deep in his pockets.
"Say," shouted a voice as I carried the dog out into the yard, following
Uncle Bob while the men made room for us, "they're a goin' to drown
bull-poop."
I hurried on after my uncle and heard a trampling of feet behind me, but
I took no notice, only as I reached the dam there was quite a little
crowd closing in.
"Wayert a minute, mester," said one of the grinders. "I'll get 'ee bit
o' iron and a bit o' band to tie round poop's neck."
For answer, Uncle Bob took the dog by his collar and hind-legs, and
kneeling down on the stone edge of the dam plunged him head-first into
the water, drew him out, and plunged him in again twice.
"Yow can't drownd him like that," cried one.
"He's dowsing on him to bring him round," said another; and then, as
Uncle Bob laid the dog down and stood up to watch him, there was a burst
of laughter in the little crowd, for all our men were collected now.
"Yes, laugh away, you cowardly hounds," said Uncle Bob indignantly, and
I looked at him wonderingly, for he had always before seemed to be so
quiet and good-tempered a fellow. "It's a pity, I suppose, that you did
not kill the dog right out the same as, but for a lucky accident, you
might have poisoned this boy here."
"Who poisoned lad?" said a grinder whom I had seen insolent more than
once.
"I don't know," cried Uncle Bob; "but I know it was done by the man or
men who stole those bands last night; and I know that it was done by
someone in these works, and that you nearly all of you know who it was."
There was a low growl here.
"And a nice cowardly contemptible trick it was!" cried Uncle Bob,
standing up taller than any man there, and with his eyes flashing. "I
always thought Englishmen were plucky, straightforward fellows, above
such blackguards' tricks as these. Workmen! Why, the scoundrels who
did this are unworthy of the name."
There was another menacing growl here.
"Too cowardly to fight men openly, they come in the night and strike at
boys, and dogs, and steal."
"Yow lookye here," said the big grinder, taking off his jacket and
baring his strong arms; "yow called me a coward, did you?"
"Yes, and any of you who know who did this coward's trick," cried Uncle
Bob angrily.
"Then tek that!" cried the man, striking at him full in the face.
I saw Uncle Bob catch the blow on his right arm, dart out his left and
strike the big grinder in the mouth; and then, before he could recover
himself, my uncle's right fist flashed through the air like lightning,
and the man staggered and then fell with a dull thud, the back of his
head striking the stones.
There was a loud yell at this, and a chorus rose:
"In wi' 'em. Throost 'em i' th' dam," shouted a voice, and half a dozen
men advanced menacingly; but Uncle Bob stood firm, and just then Fannell
the smith strode before them.
"Howd hard theer," he cried in his shrill voice. "Six to one, and him
one o' the mesters."
Just then Uncles Jack and Dick strode in through the gates, saw the
situation at a glance, and ran to strengthen our side.
"What's this?" roared Uncle Dick furiously, as Uncle Jack clenched his
fists and looked round, as it seemed to me, for some one to knock down.
"In to your work, every man of you."
"Bands is gone," said a sneering voice.
"Then get off our premises, you dogs!" he roared. "Out of that gate, I
say, every man who is against us."
"Oh, we're not agen you, mester," said Gentles smoothly. "I'm ready for
wuck, on'y the bands is gone. Yow mean wuck, eh, mates?"
"Then go and wait till we have seen what is to be done. Do you hear?--
go."
He advanced on the men so fiercely that they backed from him, leaving
Pannell only, and he stooped to help up the big grinder, who rose to his
feet shaking his head like a dog does to get the water out of his ears,
for there must have been a loud singing noise there.
"Off with you!" said Uncle Dick turning upon these two.
"Aw reight, mester," said Pannell. "I were on'y helping the mate.
Mester Robert there did gie him a blob."
Pannell was laughing good-humouredly, and just then Uncle Bob turned
upon him.
"Thank you, Pannell," he said quickly. "I'm glad we have one true man
in the place."
"Oh, it's aw reight, mester," said the smith. "Here, coom along,
thou'st had anew to last thee these two months."
As he spoke he half dragged the big grinder away to the workshop, and
Uncle Bob rapidly explained the state of affairs.
"It's enough to make us give up," cried Uncle Dick angrily. "We pay
well; we're kind to our men; we never overwork them; and yet they serve
us these blackguard tricks. Well, if they want to be out of work they
shall be, for I'll agree to no more bands being bought till the
scoundrels come to their senses."
"But we will not be beaten," cried Uncle Jack, who looked disappointed
at there being no more fighting.
"No," said Uncle Bob, wiping his bleeding knuckles. "I feel as if I had
tasted blood, as they say, and I'm ready to fight now to the end."
"And all the time we are talking and letting that poor dog perish! The
cowards!" cried Uncle Dick fiercely. "Is he dead?"
"No," I said; "I saw one of his ears quiver a little, but he is not
breathing so loudly."
"Give him another plunge," said Uncle Jack.
Uncle Bob took the dog as before and plunged him once more in the cold
clean water; and this time, as soon as he was out, he struggled slightly
and choked and panted to get his breath.
"We must get him on his legs if we can," said Uncle Bob; and for the
next half hour he kept trying to make the dog stand, but without avail,
till he had almost given up in despair. Then all at once poor Piter
began to whine, struggled to his feet, fell down, struggled up again,
and then began rapidly to recover, and at last followed us into the
office--where, forgetful of breakfast, we began to discuss the present
state of the war.
The first thing that caught my eye as we went in was a letter stuck in
the crack of the desk, so that it was impossible for anyone to pass
without seeing it.
Uncle Jack took the letter, read it, and passed it round, Uncle Bob
reading last.
I asked what it was as I stooped over poor Piter, who seemed stupid and
confused and shivered with the wet and cold.
"Shall I tell him?" said Uncle Bob, looking at his brothers.
They looked at one another thoughtfully, nodded, and Uncle Bob handed me
the note; and a precious composition it was.
"_You London Cockneys_," it began, "_you've had plenty warnings 'bout
your gimcracks and contrapshions, and wouldn't take 'em. Now look
here, we won't hev 'em in Arrowfield, robbing hard-workin' men of toil
of their hard earns and takin' bread out o' wife and childers mouths
and starvin' families, so look out. If you three an' that sorcy boy
don't pack up your traps and be off, we'll come and pack 'em up for
you. So now you know_."
"What does this mean?" I said, looking from one to the other.
"It means war, my lad," said Uncle Dick fiercely.
"You will not take any notice of this insolent letter?" I said.
"Oh yes, but we will!" said Uncle Jack.
"Not give up and go like cowards?"
"I don't think we shall, Cob," said Uncle Jack laughing. "No; we're in
the right and they are in the wrong. We've got a strong tower to fight
in and defend ourselves; they've got to attack us here, and I think
they'll be rather badly off if they do try anything more serious."
"This has been bad enough," said Uncle Bob. "You did not fully
understand how narrow an escape Cob had."
And he related all.
"The scoundrels!" said Uncle Jack, grinding his teeth. "And now this
means threatenings of future attacks."
"Well," said Uncle Dick, "if they do come I'm afraid someone will be
very much hurt--more so than that man Stevens you knocked down."
"And made a fresh enemy for us," said Uncle Jack, laughing.
"And showed who was a friend," I said, remembering Pannell's action.
"To be sure," said Uncle Jack. "Well, if anyone is hurt it will be the
attacking party, for I am beginning to feel vicious."
"Well, what about the wheels?" said Uncle Bob. "Every band has gone,
and it will be a heavy expense to restore them."
"Let's go and have breakfast and think it over," said Uncle Dick. "It's
bad to decide in haste. Listen! What are the men doing?"
"Going out in the yard, evidently," said Uncle Bob. "Yes, and down to
the gate."
So it proved, for five minutes later the place was completely empty.
"Why, they've forsaken us," said Uncle Dick bitterly.
"Never mind," said Uncle Bob. "Let's have our breakfast. We can lock
up the place."
And this we did, taking poor old Piter with us, who looked so helpless
and miserable that several dogs attacked him on our way home,
anticipating an easy victory.
But they did Piter good, rousing him up to give a bite here and another
there--one bite being all his enemies cared to receive before rushing
off, yelping apologies for the mistake they had made in attacking the
sickly-looking heavy-eyed gentleman of their kind.
Piter had jaws like a steel trap, as others beside dogs found before
long.
When we went back to the works the gate-keeper left in charge said that
several of the men had been back, but had gone again, it having been
settled that no more work was to be done till the wheel-bands were
restored; so the fires were going out, and the smiths, who could have
gone on, had to leave their forges.
"Well," said Uncle Dick, laughing bitterly, as he gave his beard a sharp
tug, "I thought that we were masters here."
"Quite a mistake," said Uncle Jack; "the men are the masters; and if we
do anything that they in their blind ignorance consider opposed to their
interests they punish us."
"Well, you see, sir," said the gate-keeper, "it's like this here, sir--
work's quite scarce enough, and the men are afraid, that new steel or
new machinery will make it worse."
"Tell them to take the scales off their eyes, then," said Uncle Dick.
"Oppose machinery, do they?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then if someone invented a new kind of grindstone to grind tools and
blades in a quarter of the time, what would they do?"
"Smash it, sir, or burn the place it was in," said the man with a grin.
"Then why don't they smash up the grindstones they use now? They are
machinery."
"What! Grindstones, sir? Oh, no!"
"But they are, man, I tell you," cried Uncle Dick angrily. "The first
men who ground knives or shears rubbed, them on a rough piece of stone;
then I dare say a cleverer man found it was handier to rub the blade
with the stone instead of the stone with the blade; and then someone
invented the round grindstone which turned and ground whatever was held
against it."
"Come along," said Uncle Jack sharply. "You are wasting breath. They
will not believe till they find all this out for themselves."
We went in and had a good look round the place, but there was not a band
to be found. There had been no cutting--every one had been carried
away, leaving no trace behind; and I wanted a good deal of comforting to
make me satisfied that it was not my fault.
But my uncles were very kind to me, and told me at once that I was to
say no more, only to be thankful that I had not drunk more heartily of
the water, and been made ill as the dog, who, in spite of seeming
better, kept having what I may call relapses, and lying down anywhere to
have a fresh sleep.
The look round produced no result, and the day was spent in the silent
works writing letters, book-keeping, and talking rather despondently
about the future.
It seemed so strange to me as I went about. No roaring fires and
puffing bellows; no clink of hammer or anvil, and no churr and screech
of steel being held against the revolving stones. There was no buzz of
voices or shouting from end to end of the workshop, and instead of great
volumes of smoke rolling out of the top of the tall chimney-shaft, a
little faint grey cloud slowly curled away into the air.
Then there was the great wheel. The dam was full and overflowing, but
the wheel was still; and when I looked in, the water trickled and
plashed down into the gloomy chamber with its mossy, slimy stone sides,
while the light shone in at the opening, and seemed to make bright bands
across the darkness before it played upon the slightly agitated waters.
Then a long discussion took place, in which it was asked whether it
would be wise to buy new bands, and to ask the men to come back and
work; but opinion was against this.
"No," said Uncle Jack. "I'm for being as obstinate as they are. We've
had our bands injured once; now let's show them that if they can afford
to wait so can we. We can't, neither can they, but there must be a
little obstinacy practised, and perhaps it will bring them to their
senses."
"And make them bring back our bands?" I ventured to say.
"Ah, I'm not so hopeful about that!" cried Uncle Bob. "I'm afraid that
we shall have to buy new ones."
"Yes," said Uncle Dick; "but I would not mind that if by so doing we
could get the men to behave well to us in the future."
"And we never shall," said Uncle Jack, "till Cob here ceases to be such
a tyrant. The men are afraid of him."
"Why, uncle!" I exclaimed; and they all laughed at my look of injury.
That night Uncle Jack and Uncle Dick kept watch; next night we took our
turn again, and so matters went on for a week. Now and then we saw some
of our men idling about, but they looked at us in a heavy stolid way,
and then slouched off.
The works seemed to be very melancholy and strange, but we went there
regularly enough, and when we had a fire going and stayed in there was
no doubt about the matter; we were watched.
Piter grew quite well again, and in his thick head there seemed to be an
idea that he had been very badly used, for, as he walked close at my
heels, I used to see him give the workmen very ugly looks in a side wise
fashion that I used to call measuring legs.
One morning my uncles said that they should not go to the works that
day, and as they did not seem to want me I thought I would go back and
put a project I had in my mind in force.
I had passed the night at the works in company with Uncle Jack, and all
had been perfectly quiet, so, putting some bones in the basket for
Piter, I also thrust in some necessaries for the task I had in hand, and
started.
About half-way there I met Gentles, the fat-faced grinder, and he shut
his eyes at me and slouched up in his affectionate way.
"Ah! Mester Jacob," he said, "when's this here unhappy strike going to
end?"
"When the rascals who stole our bands bring them back," I said, "and
return to their work."
"Ah!" he sighed, "I'm afraid they wean't do that, my lad. Hedn't the
mesters better give in, and not make no more noofangle stoof?"
"Oh, that's what you think, is it, Gentles?" I said.
"Who? Me, mester? Oh, no: I'm only a pore hardworking chap who wants
to get back to his horse. It's what the other men say. For my part I
wishes as there was no unions, stopping a man's work and upsetting him;
that I do. Think the mesters'll give in, Mester Jacob, sir?"
"I'm sure they will not, Gentles," I said, "and you had better tell the
men so."
"Nay, I durstn't tell 'em. Oh, dear, no, Mester Jacob, sir. I'm a
quiet peaceable man, I am. I on'y wants to be let alone."
I went on, thinking, and had nearly reached the lane by the works, when
I met Pannell, who was smoking a short black pipe.
"Hello!" he cried.
"Hello! Pannell," I said.
"Goin' to open wucks, and let's get on again, lad?"
"Whenever you men like to bring back the bands and apologise, Pannell."
"Nay, I've got nowt to 'pologise for. I did my wuck, and on'y wanted to
be let alone."
"But you know who took the bands," I cried. "You know who tried to
poison our poor dog and tried to blow up the furnace, now don't you?"
He showed his great teeth as he looked full at me.
"Why, my lad," he said, "yow don't think I'm going to tell, do 'ee?"
"You ought to tell," I cried. "I'm sure you know; and it's a cowardly
shame."
"Ay, I s'pose that's what you think," he said quietly. "But, say, lad,
isn't it time wuck began again?"
"Time! Yes," I said. "Why don't you take our side, Pannell; my uncles
are your masters?"
"Ay, I know that, lad," said the big smith quietly; "but man can't do as
he likes here i' Arrowfield. Eh, look at that!"
"Well, mate," said a rough voice behind me; and I saw the smith start as
Stevens, the fierce grinder, came up, and without taking any notice of
me address the smith in a peculiar way, fixing him with his eye and
clapping him on the shoulder.
"Here, I want to speak wi' thee," he said sharply. "Coom and drink."
It seemed to me that he regularly took the big smith into custody, and
marched him off.
This set me thinking about how they must be all leagued together; but I
forgot all about the matter as I opened the gate, and Piter came
charging down at me, delighted to have company once more in the great
lonely works.
The next minute he was showing his intelligence by smelling the basket
as we walked up to the door together.
I gave him some of the contents to amuse him, and then entering the
deserted grinding-shop, walked straight to the door at the end opening
into the great wheel-pit, and throwing it back stood upon the little
platform built out, and looked down at the black water, which received
enough from the full dam to keep it in motion and make the surface seem
to be covered with a kind of thready film that was always opening and
closing, and spreading all over the place to the very walls.
It looked rather black and unpleasant, and seemed to be a place that
might contain monsters of eels or other fish, and it was to try and
catch some of these that I had taken advantage of the holiday-time and
come.
For I had several times called to mind what Gentles had said about the
fish in the dam and pit, and meant to have a turn; but now I was here
everything was so silent and mysterious and strange, that I rather
shrank from my task, and began to wonder what I should do if I hooked
some monster too large to draw out.
"What a coward I am!" I said aloud; and taking the stout eel-line I had
brought, and baiting the two hooks upon it with big worms, I gathered up
the cord quite ready and then made a throw, so that my bait went down
right beneath the wheel, making a strange echoing splash that whispered
about the slimy walls.
"Looks more horrible than ever," I said to myself, as I shook off my
dislike, and sat down on the little platform with my legs dangling over
the water.
But I could not quite shake off my dread, for the feeling came over me:
suppose some horrible serpentlike water creature were to raise its head
out of the black depths, seize me by the foot, and drag me down.
It was an absurd idea, but I could not fight against it, and I found
myself drawing my legs up and sitting down tailor fashion with my feet
beneath me.
And there I sat with not a sound but the dripping water to be heard, and
a curious rustling that I soon after made out to be Piter busy with his
bone.
A quarter of an hour, half an hour, passed away, and I did not get a
touch, so drawing up my line I restored the baits and threw in again,
choosing the far-off corner of the pit close by where the water escaped
to the stream below.
The bait had not been down a minute, and I was just wondering whether
Gentles was correct about there being any fish there, when I felt the
line softly drawn through my fingers, then there was a slight quivering
vibration, and a series of tiny jerks, and the line began to run faster,
while my heart began to beat with anticipation.
"He was right," I exclaimed, as I tightened the line with a jerk, and
then a sharp little struggle began, as the fish I had hooked rushed
hither and thither, and fought back, and finally was dragged out of the
water, tying itself up in a knot which bobbed and slipped about upon the
floor as I dragged it into the grinding-room, and cut the line to set it
free, for it was impossible to get the hook out of the writhing
creature's jaws.
It was an eel of about a pound weight, and, excited now by the struggle,
I fastened on a fresh hook, baited it, and threw in the same place
again.
Quite half an hour elapsed before I had another bite, and knowing how
nocturnal these creatures are in their habits, I was just thinking that
if I liked next time I was on the watch I might throw a line in here,
and keep catching an eel every now and then, when--
Check! A regular sharp jerk at the line, and I knew that I had hooked a
good one, but instead of the line tightening it suddenly grew quite
slack.
For a moment I was afraid that the fish had broken away, but I realised
directly that it had rushed over to my side of the wheel-pit, and it had
come so swiftly that I began to think that it could not be an eel.
I had not much line to gather in, though, before I felt the check again,
and a furious tug given so hard that I let the line run, and several
yards were drawn through my fingers before I began to wonder where the
eel or other fish I had hooked had gone.
"Perhaps there is a passage or drain under the works," I thought as I
dragged at the line, now to feel some answering throbs; but the fish did
not run any farther, only remained stationary.
"What a monster!" I cried, as I felt what a tremendous weight there was
against me. I drew the line and gained a little, but gave way for fear
it should break.
This went on for ten minutes or so. I was in a state of the greatest
excitement, for I felt that I had got hold of a monster, and began to
despair of dragging it up to where I was. Such a thing seemed
impossible, for the line would give way or the hook break from its hold
I was sure.
In place of jerking about now, the fish was very still, exercising a
kind of inert force against its captor; but I was in momentary
expectation of a renewal of the battle, and so powerful did the creature
seem, so enormously heavy was it, that I began to regret my success, and
to wonder what the consequences would be if I were to get the large eel
up there on the floor.
One moment I saw myself flying for my life from a huge writhing
open-mouthed creature, and saved by a gallant attack made by Piter, who,
hearing the noise, had dashed in open-jawed to seize the fierce monster
by the neck; the next I was calling myself a donkey.
"Why, of course!" I cried. "When I hooked it the creature ran in
towards me, and has darted in and out of some grating and wound the line
tightly there."
That could not be the case, I felt as I pulled, for though it was
evident that the fish had entangled the line, it was in something loose
which I got nearly to the surface several times, as I gazed down there
in the darkness till all at once, just as I was straining my eyes to
make out what it was that was entangled with my hook, the cord snapped,
there was a dull plash below me, the water rippled and babbled against
the side, and all was still once more.
I stood gazing down for a few minutes, and then a flash of intelligence
shot through me, and I darted back, rapidly coiling up my wet line and
taking it and my basket up into the office, from whence I came hurrying
out, and ready to dash down two steps at a time.
"Why, of course," I kept on saying to myself; "what stupids!"
I ran across the yard, unlocked and relocked the gate, leaving Piter
disappointed and barking, and hurried back to the house, where my uncles
were busy over some correspondence.
"Hurrah!" I cried. "I've found it all out. Come along! Down to the
works!"
"You've found out!" cried Uncle Dick starting.
"Found it all out!" I cried excitedly. "Now, then, all of you! Come
on and see."
I slipped down to Mrs Stephenson after telling my uncles to go slowly
on and that I would overtake them, and that lady smiled in my face as
soon as she saw me.
"Don't say a word!" she cried. "I know what you want. Tattsey, get out
the pork-pie."
"No, no," I cried; "you mistake. I'm not hungry."
"Nonsense, my dear! And if you're not hungry now, you will be before
long. I've a beautiful raised pie of my own making. Have a bit, my
dear. Bring it, Tattsey."
It was, I found, one of the peculiarities of these people to imagine
everybody was hungry, and their hospitality to their friends was without
stint.
Tattsey had not so much black-lead on her face as usual. In fact it was
almost clean, while her hands were beautifully white, consequent upon
its being peggy day; that is to say, the day in which clothes were
washed in the peggy tub, and kept in motion by a four-legged peggy, a
curious kind of machine with a cross handle.
So before I could say another word the pork-pie was brought out on the
white kitchen-table, and Mrs Stephenson began to cut out a wedge.
"May I take it with me," I said, "and eat it as I go along?"
"Bless the boy; yes, of course," said our homely landlady. "Boys who
are growing want plenty to eat. I hate to see people starve."
"But I want you to do me a favour," I said.
"Of course, my dear. What is it?"
"I want you to lend me your clothes-line."
"What, that we are just going to put out in the yard for the clean
clothes? I should just think not indeed."
"How tiresome!" I cried. "Well, never mind; I must buy a bit. But
will you lend me a couple of meat-hooks?"
"Now, what in the world are you going to do with a clothes-line and two
meat-hooks?"
"I'm going fishing," I said impatiently.
"Now don't you talk nonsense, my dear," said our plump landlady, looking
rather red. "Do you think I don't know better than that?"
"But I am going fishing," I cried.
"Where?"
"In our wheel-pit."
"Then there's someone drownded, and you are going to fish him out."
"No, no," I cried. "Will you lend me the hooks?"
"Yes, I'll lend you the hooks," she said, getting them out of a drawer.
"We sha'n't want the old clothes-line," said Tattsey slowly.
"No, we sha'n't want the old clothes-line," said Mrs Stephenson,
looking at me curiously. "There, you can have that."
"I'll tell you all about it when I come back," I cried as the knot of
clean cord was handed to me; and putting an arm through it and the hooks
in my pocket I started off at a run, to find myself face to face with
Gentles before I overtook my uncles.
"Going a wallucking, Mester Jacob?" he said.
"No; I'm going a-fishing."
"What, wi' that line, Mester?"
"Yes."
"Arn't it a bit too thick, Mester?"
"Not in the least, Gentles," I said; and leaving him rubbing his face as
if to smooth it after being shaved, I ran on and overtook my uncles just
before we reached the works.
"Thought you weren't coming, Cob," said Uncle Dick. "What are you going
to do with the rope?"
"Have patience," I said laughing.
Just then we passed Stevens, who scowled at us as he saw me with the
rope, while Pannell, who was with him, stared, and his face slowly lit
up with a broad grin.
They turned round to stare after us as we went to the gate, and then
walked off quickly.
"What does that mean, oh, boy of mystery?" said Uncle Jack.
"They suspect that I have discovered their plans," I cried joyfully.
"And have you--are you sure?"
"Only wait five minutes, uncle, and you shall see," I cried.
We entered the works, fastened the gate after us, and then, taking the
end of my fishing-line as soon as we reached the grinding-shop, I began
to bind the two meat-hooks one across the other.
"What, are you going to try for eels that way?" said Uncle Bob laughing,
as my uncles seemed to be gradually making out what was to come.
"Well," I said, "they broke my other line."
By this time I had fastened the hooks pretty firmly, and to the cross I
now secured the end of the clothes-line.
"Fine eel that, Cob," said Uncle Dick, hunting the one I had caught into
a corner, for it had been travelling all over the place.
"Yes," I said; "and now the tackle's ready, throw in and see if you
can't get another."
Uncle Dick went straight to the doorway, stepped on to the platform, and
threw in the hook, which seemed to catch in something and gave way
again.
"Come, I had a bite," he said laughing. "What has been thrown in here--
some bundles of wire or steel rods?"
"Try again," I said laughing, and he had another throw, this time
getting tight hold of something which hung fast to the hooks, and came
up dripping and splashing to the little platform, where it was seized,
and Uncle Bob gave a shout of delight.
"Why, I never expected to catch that," cried Uncle Dick.
"I thought it was some stolen rings of wire," said Uncle Jack, as he
seized hold, and together they dragged a great tangle of leather and
catgut bands over the platform into the grinding-shop, fully half
falling back with a tremendous splash.
"Cob, you're a hero," cried Uncle Dick.
"The malicious scoundrels!" cried Uncle Jack.
"Throw in again," said Uncle Bob.
And then Uncle Dick fished and dragged and hauled up tangle after tangle
till there was quite a heap of the dripping bands, with rivulets of
water streaming away over the stone floor, and right in the middle a
monster of an eel, the gentleman I had hooked, and which had wound
itself in and out of the catgut bands till it was held tight by the
mouth.
"He deserves to have his freedom," said Uncle Dick, as he gave the bands
a shake so that the hook came out of the eel's mouth, and it began to
writhe and twine about the floor.
"And he shall have it," I cried, taking a walking-stick, and for the
next five minutes I was employed trying to guide my prisoner to the
doorway leading into the pit.
I suppose you never tried to drive an eel? No? Well, let me assure you
that pig-driving is a pleasant pastime in comparison. We have it on
good authority that if you want to drive a pig in a particular direction
all you have to do is to point his nose straight and then try to pull
him back by the tail. Away he goes directly.
Try and drive a big thick eel, two feet six inches long, with a
walking-stick, and you'll find it a task that needs an education first.
Put his head straight, and he curves to right or left. Pull his tail,
and he'll turn round and bite you, and hold fast too. Mine turned round
and bit, but it was the walking-stick he seized with his strong jaws,
and it wanted a good shake to get it free.
Every way but the right would that eel squirm and wriggle. I chased him
round grindstones, in and out of water-troughs, from behind posts and
planks, from under benches, but I could not get him to the door; and I
firmly believe that night would have fallen with me still hunting the
slimy wriggling creature if Uncle Bob had not seized it with his hands
after throwing his pocket-handkerchief over its back.
The next instant it was curled up in the silk, writhing itself into a
knot, no doubt in an agony of fear, if eels can feel fear. Then it was
held over the pit, the handkerchief taken by one corner, and I expected
to hear it drop with a splash into the water; but no, it held on, and
though the handkerchief was shaken it was some time before it would quit
its hold of the silk, a good piece of which was tight in its jaws.
At last: an echoing splash, and we turned back to where my Uncles Jack
and Dick were busy with the bands.
"The best day's fishing I ever saw, Cob," cried Uncle Jack. "It was
stupid of us not to drag the pit or the dam before."
"I don't know about stupid," said Uncle Bob. "You see we thought the
bands were stolen or destroyed. We are learning fast, but we don't
understand yet all the pleasant ways of the Arrowfield men."
The rest of the day was spent over the tiresome job of sorting out the
different bands and hanging them on their own special wheels to drain or
dry ready for use, and when this was done there was a feeling of
satisfaction in every breast, for it meant beginning work again, and
Uncle Bob said so.
"Yes," said Uncle Jack; "but also means a fresh attempt to stop our work
as soon as the scoundrels know."
"Never mind," replied Uncle Dick. "It's a race to see who will tire
first: the right side or the wrong, and I think I know."
"What's to be done next?" said Uncle Bob.
"Let the men know that we are ready for them to come back to work if
they like to do so," said Uncle Jack.
"Why not get fresh hands altogether?"
"Because they would be just as great children as those we have now. No;
let us be manly and straightforward with them in everything. We shall
fight for our place, but we will not be petty."
"But they will serve us some other scurvy trick," said Uncle Bob.
"Let them," said Uncle Dick; "never mind. There," he cried, "those
bands will be fit to use to-morrow with this clear dry air blowing
through. Let's go home now and have a quiet hour or two before we come
to watch."
"I wish," said Uncle Jack, "that the works joined our house."
"Go on wishing," said Uncle Bob, "and they won't join. Now, how about
telling the men?"
"Let's call and see Dunning and tell him to start the fires," said Uncle
Dick; and as we went back the gate-keeper was spoken to, and the old
man's face lit up at the idea of the place being busy again.
"And I hope, gentlemen," he whispered from behind his hand, "that you
will be let alone now."
"To which," said Uncle Bob as we walked on, "I most devoutly say, Amen."