"But how I'm to carry the meat and taters and sugars over to the house in them things I don't know!"
Then he remembered his master's injunction to shout, and he shouted accordingly. "I wish I knew where that young gent had got to!" continued Jones, and again he raised his hoarse voice, and shouted. "Why, what's that 'ere?" he exclaimed. "Is it an ecker, or is it the young gent?"
Again he shouted, as loud as he could this time, and then paused. Yes, faint and clear came an answering shout. There was no mistake this time! "Why, there he be!" exclaimed Jones in astonishment. "There he be! there he be!"
Then he began to move slowly in the direction of the shout, and called aloud again. The answer was louder and more distinct this time.
"I be getting nearer to him," chuckled Jones, "that I be!"
But when presently he came close enough to see the young boatman distinctly he stood still in complete amazement, with eyes and mouth wide open. The sapient Jones had had other things to astonish him considerably to-day, what with the flood and the tub and the bath, but this beat all. Here was Alfy tied to the boat, and labouring with bound wrists to work the skiff along.
"Don't stand staring there!" cried Alfy. "Can't you give me a hand?"
"Well I never!" exclaimed Jones. "Whatever did you tie yourself like that for?"
"Tie myself!" replied Alfy impatiently; "I didn't tie myself. Come, cut the rope quickly, and help me along."
"I ain't got no knife!"