CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
UNCLE BOB'S PATIENT.
Uncle Bob gave me a sharp look that seemed to go through me, and thenstrode into the workshop, while I followed him trembling with anger andmisery, to think that I should have gone to sleep at such a time and letthe miscreants annoy us again like this.
"Not cut this time," said Uncle Bob to me, as we went from lathe tolathe, 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 astand.
I felt as if stunned, and as guilty as if I had shared in the plot bywhich the bands had been taken away.
The men were standing about stolidly watching us. They did not complainabout their work being at a stand-still, nor seem to mind that, as theywere paid by the amount they did, they would come short at the end ofthe week: all they seemed interested in was the way in which we weregoing to bear the loss, or act.
"Does not look like a walk for us, Cob," said Uncle Bob. "What a cruelshame it is!"
"Uncle," I cried passionately, for we were alone now, "I can't tell youhow ashamed I am. It's disgraceful. I'm not fit to be trusted. I cannever forgive myself, but I did try so very very hard."
"Try, my boy!" he said taking my hand; "why, of course, you did. Ihaven'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 havecome; 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 andafterwards 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 thetwo patches on the floor.
"Clumsily done, Cob," he said after looking at and smelling them. "Thiswas 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 youwere. There, don't worry yourself about it, my boy. You always do yourduty and we've plenty to think of without that. We shall spoil twobreakfasts at home."
"But, uncle," I cried, clinging to his arm, "do you really think I maybelieve that my sleepiness came from being drugged?"
"Yes, yes, yes," he cried half angrily. "Now are you satisfied? Comeand let's have a look at the dog."
I felt quite guilty at having forgotten poor Piter so long, anddescending with my uncle we were soon kneeling by the kennel.
He had not stirred since I put him in, but lay snoring heavily, and noamount of shaking seemed to have the least effect.
"The poor brute has had a strong dose, Cob," said Uncle Bob, "and if wedon't do something he will never wake again."
"Oh, uncle!" I cried, for his words sent a pang through me. I did notknow how much I had grown to like the faithful piece of ugliness till myuncle 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 strokedit.
"Glad it was that which made the poor brute silent. I thought he hadturned 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 dogsantidotes, and besides we don't know what he has taken. Must be somenarcotic though. I know what we'll do. Here, carry him down to thedam."
A number of the workmen were looking on stolidly and whispering to oneanother 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 handswere deep in his pockets.
"Say," shouted a voice as I carried the dog out into the yard, followingUncle Bob while the men made room for us, "they're a goin' to drownbull-poop."
I hurried on after my uncle and heard a trampling of feet behind me, butI took no notice, only as I reached the dam there was quite a littlecrowd closing in.
"Wayert a minute, mester," said one of the grinders. "I'll get 'ee bito' 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, andkneeling down on the stone edge of the dam plunged him head-first intothe 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, asUncle Bob laid the dog down and stood up to watch him, there was a burstof laughter in the little crowd, for all our men were collected now.
"Yes, laugh away, you cowardly hounds," said Uncle Bob indignantly, andI looked at him wonderingly, for he had always before seemed to be soquiet and good-tempered a fellow. "It's a pity, I suppose, that you didnot kill the dog right out the same as, but for a lucky accident, youmight have poisoned this boy here."
"Who poisoned lad?" said a grinder whom I had seen insolent more thanonce.
"I don't know," cried Uncle Bob; "but I know it was done by the man ormen who stole those bands last night; and I know that it was done bysomeone 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. "Ialways thought Englishmen were plucky, straightforward fellows, abovesuch blackguards' tricks as these. Workmen! Why, the scoundrels whodid 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 atboys, and dogs, and steal."
"Yow lookye here," said the big grinder, taking off his jacket andbaring his strong arms; "yow called me a coward, did you?"
"Yes, and any of you who know who did this coward's trick," cried UncleBob 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 andstrike the big grinder in the mouth; and then, before he could recoverhimself, 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 hishead 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 dozenmen advanced menacingly; but Uncle Bob stood firm, and just then Fannellthe smith strode before them.
"Howd hard theer," he cried in his shrill voice. "Six to one, and himone o' the mesters."
Just then Uncles Jack and Dick strode in through the gates, saw thesituation at a glance, and ran to strengthen our side.
"What's this?" roared Uncle Dick furiously, as Uncle Jack clenched hisfists 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, Isay, every man who is against us."
"Oh, we're not agen you, mester," said Gentles smoothly. "I'm ready forwuck, 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, leavingPannell only, and he stooped to help up the big grinder, who rose to hisfeet 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 t
hese 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 turnedupon him.
"Thank you, Pannell," he said quickly. "I'm glad we have one true manin 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, andUncle Bob rapidly explained the state of affairs.
"It's enough to make us give up," cried Uncle Dick angrily. "We paywell; we're kind to our men; we never overwork them; and yet they serveus these blackguard tricks. Well, if they want to be out of work theyshall be, for I'll agree to no more bands being bought till thescoundrels come to their senses."
"But we will not be beaten," cried Uncle Jack, who looked disappointedat there being no more fighting.
"No," said Uncle Bob, wiping his bleeding knuckles. "I feel as if I hadtasted 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! Thecowards!" cried Uncle Dick fiercely. "Is he dead?"
"No," I said; "I saw one of his ears quiver a little, but he is notbreathing so loudly."
"Give him another plunge," said Uncle Jack.
Uncle Bob took the dog as before and plunged him once more in the coldclean water; and this time, as soon as he was out, he struggled slightlyand choked and panted to get his breath.
"We must get him on his legs if we can," said Uncle Bob; and for thenext 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 Piterbegan to whine, struggled to his feet, fell down, struggled up again,and then began rapidly to recover, and at last followed us into theoffice--where, forgetful of breakfast, we began to discuss the presentstate of the war.
The first thing that caught my eye as we went in was a letter stuck inthe crack of the desk, so that it was impossible for anyone to passwithout seeing it.
Uncle Jack took the letter, read it, and passed it round, Uncle Bobreading last.
I asked what it was as I stooped over poor Piter, who seemed stupid andconfused 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 methe 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 inthe right and they are in the wrong. We've got a strong tower to fightin and defend ourselves; they've got to attack us here, and I thinkthey'll be rather badly off if they do try anything more serious."
"This has been bad enough," said Uncle Bob. "You did not fullyunderstand how narrow an escape Cob had."
And he related all.
"The scoundrels!" said Uncle Jack, grinding his teeth. "And now thismeans threatenings of future attacks."
"Well," said Uncle Dick, "if they do come I'm afraid someone will bevery 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 theattacking 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'sbad to decide in haste. Listen! What are the men doing?"
"Going out in the yard, evidently," said Uncle Bob. "Yes, and down tothe 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 lockup the place."
And this we did, taking poor old Piter with us, who looked so helplessand 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 anotherthere--one bite being all his enemies cared to receive before rushingoff, yelping apologies for the mistake they had made in attacking thesickly-looking heavy-eyed gentleman of their kind.
Piter had jaws like a steel trap, as others beside dogs found beforelong.
When we went back to the works the gate-keeper left in charge said thatseveral of the men had been back, but had gone again, it having beensettled that no more work was to be done till the wheel-bands wererestored; so the fires were going out, and the smiths, who could havegone on, had to leave their forges.
"Well," said Uncle Dick, laughing bitterly, as he gave his beard a sharptug, "I thought that we were masters here."
"Quite a mistake," said Uncle Jack; "the men are the masters; and if wedo anything that they in their blind ignorance consider opposed to theirinterests 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 ornew 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 andblades 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 aremachinery."
"What! Grindstones, sir? Oh, no!"
"But they are, man, I tell you," cried Uncle Dick angrily. "The firstmen 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 bladewith the stone instead of the stone with the blade; and then someoneinvented the round grindstone which turned and ground whatever was heldagainst it."
"Come along," said Uncle Jack sharply. "You are wasting breath. Theywill 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 bandto be found. There had been no cutting--every one had been carriedaway, leaving no trace behind; and I wanted a good deal of comforting tomake me satisfied that it was not my fault.
But my uncles were very kind to me, and told me at once that I was tosay no more, only to be thankful that I had not drunk more heartily ofthe water, and been made ill as the dog, who, in spite of seemingbetter, kept having what I may call relapses, and lying down anywhere tohave a fresh sleep.
The look round produced no result, and the day was spent in the silentworks writing letters, book-keeping, and talking rather despondentlyabout the future.
It seemed so strange to me as I went about. No roaring fires andpuffing bellows; no clink of hammer or anvil, and no churr and screechof steel being held against the revolving stones. There was no buzz ofvoices or shouting from end to end of the workshop, and instead of greatvolumes of smoke rolling out of the top of the tall chimney-shaft, alittle faint grey cloud slowly curled away into the air.
Then there
was the great wheel. The dam was full and overflowing, butthe wheel was still; and when I looked in, the water trickled andplashed down into the gloomy chamber with its mossy, slimy stone sides,while the light shone in at the opening, and seemed to make bright bandsacross the darkness before it played upon the slightly agitated waters.
Then a long discussion took place, in which it was asked whether itwould be wise to buy new bands, and to ask the men to come back andwork; but opinion was against this.
"No," said Uncle Jack. "I'm for being as obstinate as they are. We'vehad our bands injured once; now let's show them that if they can affordto wait so can we. We can't, neither can they, but there must be alittle obstinacy practised, and perhaps it will bring them to theirsenses."
"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 thatwe shall have to buy new ones."
"Yes," said Uncle Dick; "but I would not mind that if by so doing wecould get the men to behave well to us in the future."
"And we never shall," said Uncle Jack, "till Cob here ceases to be sucha 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 ourturn again, and so matters went on for a week. Now and then we saw someof 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 thereregularly enough, and when we had a fire going and stayed in there wasno doubt about the matter; we were watched.
Piter grew quite well again, and in his thick head there seemed to be anidea that he had been very badly used, for, as he walked close at myheels, I used to see him give the workmen very ugly looks in a side wisefashion that I used to call measuring legs.
One morning my uncles said that they should not go to the works thatday, and as they did not seem to want me I thought I would go back andput a project I had in my mind in force.
I had passed the night at the works in company with Uncle Jack, and allhad been perfectly quiet, so, putting some bones in the basket forPiter, I also thrust in some necessaries for the task I had in hand, andstarted.
About half-way there I met Gentles, the fat-faced grinder, and he shuthis eyes at me and slouched up in his affectionate way.
"Ah! Mester Jacob," he said, "when's this here unhappy strike going toend?"
"When the rascals who stole our bands bring them back," I said, "andreturn to their work."
"Ah!" he sighed, "I'm afraid they wean't do that, my lad. Hedn't themesters 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 wantsto get back to his horse. It's what the other men say. For my part Iwishes 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 themen so."
"Nay, I durstn't tell 'em. Oh, dear, no, Mester Jacob, sir. I'm aquiet 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, whenI 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 tobe let alone."
"But you know who took the bands," I cried. "You know who tried topoison 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 cowardlyshame."
"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 unclesare your masters?"
"Ay, I know that, lad," said the big smith quietly; "but man can't do ashe likes here i' Arrowfield. Eh, look at that!"
"Well, mate," said a rough voice behind me; and I saw the smith start asStevens, the fierce grinder, came up, and without taking any notice ofme address the smith in a peculiar way, fixing him with his eye andclapping 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, andmarched him off.
This set me thinking about how they must be all leagued together; but Iforgot all about the matter as I opened the gate, and Piter camecharging down at me, delighted to have company once more in the greatlonely works.
The next minute he was showing his intelligence by smelling the basketas we walked up to the door together.
I gave him some of the contents to amuse him, and then entering thedeserted grinding-shop, walked straight to the door at the end openinginto the great wheel-pit, and throwing it back stood upon the littleplatform built out, and looked down at the black water, which receivedenough from the full dam to keep it in motion and make the surface seemto be covered with a kind of thready film that was always opening andclosing, and spreading all over the place to the very walls.
It looked rather black and unpleasant, and seemed to be a place thatmight contain monsters of eels or other fish, and it was to try andcatch some of these that I had taken advantage of the holiday-time andcome.
For I had several times called to mind what Gentles had said about thefish in the dam and pit, and meant to have a turn; but now I was hereeverything was so silent and mysterious and strange, that I rathershrank from my task, and began to wonder what I should do if I hookedsome monster too large to draw out.
"What a coward I am!" I said aloud; and taking the stout eel-line I hadbrought, and baiting the two hooks upon it with big worms, I gathered upthe cord quite ready and then made a throw, so that my bait went downright beneath the wheel, making a strange echoing splash that whisperedabout the slimy walls.
"Looks more horrible than ever," I said to myself, as I shook off mydislike, and sat down on the little platform with my legs dangling overthe 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 headout 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 foundmyself drawing my legs up and sitting down tailor fashion with my feetbeneath me.
And there I sat with not a sound but the dripping water to be heard, anda curious rustling that I soon after made out to be Piter busy with hisbone.
A quarter of an hour, half an hour, passed away, and I did not get atouch, 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 escapedto the stream below.
The bait had not been down a minute, and I was just wondering whetherGentles was correct about there being any fish there, when I felt theline softly drawn through my fingers, then there was a slight quiveringvibration, 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, andthen a sharp little struggle began, as the fish I had hooked rushedhither and thither, and fought back, and finally was dragged out of thewater, tying itself up in a knot which bobbed and slipped about upon thefloor as I dragged it into the grinding-room, and cut the line to set itfree, for it was impossible to get the hook out of the writhingcreature's jaws.
It was an eel of about a pound weight, and, excited now by th
e struggle,I fastened on a fresh hook, baited it, and threw in the same placeagain.
Quite half an hour elapsed before I had another bite, and knowing hownocturnal these creatures are in their habits, I was just thinking thatif 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 agood one, but instead of the line tightening it suddenly grew quiteslack.
For a moment I was afraid that the fish had broken away, but I realiseddirectly that it had rushed over to my side of the wheel-pit, and it hadcome 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 severalyards were drawn through my fingers before I began to wonder where theeel or other fish I had hooked had gone.
"Perhaps there is a passage or drain under the works," I thought as Idragged at the line, now to feel some answering throbs; but the fish didnot run any farther, only remained stationary.
"What a monster!" I cried, as I felt what a tremendous weight there wasagainst me. I drew the line and gained a little, but gave way for fearit should break.
This went on for ten minutes or so. I was in a state of the greatestexcitement, for I felt that I had got hold of a monster, and began todespair of dragging it up to where I was. Such a thing seemedimpossible, for the line would give way or the hook break from its holdI was sure.
In place of jerking about now, the fish was very still, exercising akind of inert force against its captor; but I was in momentaryexpectation of a renewal of the battle, and so powerful did the creatureseem, so enormously heavy was it, that I began to regret my success, andto wonder what the consequences would be if I were to get the large eelup there on the floor.
One moment I saw myself flying for my life from a huge writhingopen-mouthed creature, and saved by a gallant attack made by Piter, who,hearing the noise, had dashed in open-jawed to seize the fierce monsterby the neck; the next I was calling myself a donkey.
"Why, of course!" I cried. "When I hooked it the creature ran intowards me, and has darted in and out of some grating and wound the linetightly there."
That could not be the case, I felt as I pulled, for though it wasevident that the fish had entangled the line, it was in something loosewhich I got nearly to the surface several times, as I gazed down therein the darkness till all at once, just as I was straining my eyes tomake 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 againstthe side, and all was still once more.
I stood gazing down for a few minutes, and then a flash of intelligenceshot through me, and I darted back, rapidly coiling up my wet line andtaking it and my basket up into the office, from whence I came hurryingout, 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 Piterdisappointed and barking, and hurried back to the house, where my uncleswere busy over some correspondence.
"Hurrah!" I cried. "I've found it all out. Come along! Down to theworks!"
"You've found out!" cried Uncle Dick starting.
"Found it all out!" I cried excitedly. "Now, then, all of you! Comeon and see."
I slipped down to Mrs Stephenson after telling my uncles to go slowlyon and that I would overtake them, and that lady smiled in my face assoon as she saw me.
"Don't say a word!" she cried. "I know what you want. Tattsey, get outthe 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 beforelong. I've a beautiful raised pie of my own making. Have a bit, mydear. Bring it, Tattsey."
It was, I found, one of the peculiarities of these people to imagineeverybody was hungry, and their hospitality to their friends was withoutstint.
Tattsey had not so much black-lead on her face as usual. In fact it wasalmost clean, while her hands were beautifully white, consequent uponits being peggy day; that is to say, the day in which clothes werewashed in the peggy tub, and kept in motion by a four-legged peggy, acurious kind of machine with a cross handle.
So before I could say another word the pork-pie was brought out on thewhite 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 whoare 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 cleanclothes? I should just think not indeed."
"How tiresome!" I cried. "Well, never mind; I must buy a bit. Butwill you lend me a couple of meat-hooks?"
"Now, what in the world are you going to do with a clothes-line and twomeat-hooks?"
"I'm going fishing," I said impatiently.
"Now don't you talk nonsense, my dear," said our plump landlady, lookingrather 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 ofclean cord was handed to me; and putting an arm through it and the hooksin my pocket I started off at a run, to find myself face to face withGentles 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 asif to smooth it after being shaved, I ran on and overtook my uncles justbefore we reached the works.
"Thought you weren't coming, Cob," said Uncle Dick. "What are you goingto do with the rope?"
"Have patience," I said laughing.
Just then we passed Stevens, who scowled at us as he saw me with therope, while Pannell, who was with him, stared, and his face slowly litup with a broad grin.
They turned round to stare after us as we went to the gate, and thenwalked 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 theend of my fishing-line as soon as we reached the grinding-shop, I beganto 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 Inow secured the end of the clothes-line.
"Fine eel that, Cob," said Uncle Dick, hunting the one I had caught intoa corner, for it had been travelling all over the place.
"Yes," I said; "and now the tackle's ready, throw in and see if youcan't get another."
Uncle Dick went straight to the doorway, stepped on to the platform, andthrew in the hook, which seemed to catc
h in something and gave wayagain.
"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 timegetting tight hold of something which hung fast to the hooks, and cameup 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 heseized hold, and together they dragged a great tangle of leather andcatgut bands over the platform into the grinding-shop, fully halffalling 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 tangletill there was quite a heap of the dripping bands, with rivulets ofwater streaming away over the stone floor, and right in the middle amonster of an eel, the gentleman I had hooked, and which had wounditself in and out of the catgut bands till it was held tight by themouth.
"He deserves to have his freedom," said Uncle Dick, as he gave the bandsa shake so that the hook came out of the eel's mouth, and it began towrithe and twine about the floor.
"And he shall have it," I cried, taking a walking-stick, and for thenext five minutes I was employed trying to guide my prisoner to thedoorway leading into the pit.
I suppose you never tried to drive an eel? No? Well, let me assure youthat pig-driving is a pleasant pastime in comparison. We have it ongood authority that if you want to drive a pig in a particular directionall you have to do is to point his nose straight and then try to pullhim back by the tail. Away he goes directly.
Try and drive a big thick eel, two feet six inches long, with awalking-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 roundand 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 himround grindstones, in and out of water-troughs, from behind posts andplanks, from under benches, but I could not get him to the door; and Ifirmly believe that night would have fallen with me still hunting theslimy wriggling creature if Uncle Bob had not seized it with his handsafter throwing his pocket-handkerchief over its back.
The next instant it was curled up in the silk, writhing itself into aknot, no doubt in an agony of fear, if eels can feel fear. Then it washeld over the pit, the handkerchief taken by one corner, and I expectedto hear it drop with a splash into the water; but no, it held on, andthough the handkerchief was shaken it was some time before it would quitits 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 Jackand Dick were busy with the bands.
"The best day's fishing I ever saw, Cob," cried Uncle Jack. "It wasstupid of us not to drag the pit or the dam before."
"I don't know about stupid," said Uncle Bob. "You see we thought thebands were stolen or destroyed. We are learning fast, but we don'tunderstand yet all the pleasant ways of the Arrowfield men."
The rest of the day was spent over the tiresome job of sorting out thedifferent bands and hanging them on their own special wheels to drain ordry ready for use, and when this was done there was a feeling ofsatisfaction in every breast, for it meant beginning work again, andUncle Bob said so.
"Yes," said Uncle Jack; "but also means a fresh attempt to stop our workas soon as the scoundrels know."
"Never mind," replied Uncle Dick. "It's a race to see who will tirefirst: 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 ifthey 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 shallfight 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, "thosebands will be fit to use to-morrow with this clear dry air blowingthrough. Let's go home now and have a quiet hour or two before we cometo 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 abouttelling the men?"
"Let's call and see Dunning and tell him to start the fires," said UncleDick; and as we went back the gate-keeper was spoken to, and the oldman's face lit up at the idea of the place being busy again.
"And I hope, gentlemen," he whispered from behind his hand, "that youwill be let alone now."
"To which," said Uncle Bob as we walked on, "I most devoutly say, Amen."
Patience Wins: War in the Works Page 14