“Yes, Mr Marston, stand up,” cried Dick. “Look!”
Marston rose to his feet, and as he looked toward the entrance where the net was spread there was a wave-like swell upon the surface, which might have been caused by the movement of the boat or by fish.
There was no doubt about its being caused by fish, for all at once, close by the row of rush bundles, there was a splash. Then, as they approached, another and another.
“They’re feeling the net,” cried Dick excitedly.
“Ay, keep it oop, lads, or they’ll come back,” cried Dave, making the water swirl with his pole, which he worked about vigorously.
Even as he spoke there came another splash, and this time the sun flashed upon the glittering sides of the fish which darted out and fell over the other side of the top line of the net.
“There goes one,” shouted Tom.
“Ay, and theer goes another,” said Dave with a chuckle as he forced the boat along slowly.
And now, as Marston watched, he saw that the irregular line of rush bundles which stretched across the mouth of the canal was changing its shape, and he needed no telling that the regular semicircular form it assumed was caused by the pressure of a shoal of fish seeking to escape into the open mere, but of course checked by the fragile wall of net.
“There must be a lot, Tom,” cried Dick excitedly. “Look, Mr Marston! There goes another. Oh, Dave, we shall lose them all!”