Dick never felt half so much inclined to disobey his father before, as he slowly took his place in the bottom of the punt, while Hickathrift sent it forward so quickly that it was the first to touch the gravelly shore. When the squire sprang out Hickathrift followed him, after driving down the pole and securing the boat.
“I say, Tom,” said Dick.
“I say, Dick,” replied Tom.
“Do you think he would be very cross if we went after them? I do want to see.”
Tom shook his head, and, landing, sat down on the edge of the boat, Dick following and seating himself beside his companion, to watch his father steadily approach the hut, of which not so much as a glimpse could be obtained, so closely was it hidden among the trees.
By this time the squire was half-way to the fir-wood, and Dick could bear it no longer.
“How could I meet mother,” he cried angrily, “if I let him go alone like that?”
“But he can’t be shot,” said Tom.
“No, but he may be hurt,” retorted Dick; and he ran eagerly after his father.
“And so may my father be hurt,” said Tom as soon as he was left alone; and he looked in the direction by which Farmer Tallington must approach the wood, but no one was visible there, and he ran rapidly after his companion and rejoined him just as he was following his father into the wood.