“And, Grant,” shouted Mr Solomon, “bring one of the men with you.”
“Bunce?” I said.
“No, he’s busy. Bring that new man, Isaac.”
I ran off to the cottage for the candle and matches, and Mrs Solomon asked what they were for.
“To see down in the well, I think,” I said.
“Oh yes, to be sure! the pump is broken. Tell master to be very careful. Wells are very dangerous places. I once knew of a well where four men tumbled down and never came up again.”
“We’ll take care not to tumble,” I cried laughing; and I ran off to find Ike, who was digging away near where I had seen him before.
“Eh! Good mornin’!” he said sourly. “Is it? I didn’t know. Mornin’s seems always all alike to a man as has to dig.”
“But how well you’re doing it, Ike! It’s better dug than our men generally dig it.”
“Be it?” he said dubiously: “Well, I have punished it pretty well. Ground’s very foul and full o’ bear-bine.”