“I have had a long training, sir. You will know more than I do when you have been here two or three years. Now, then, throw in again.”
“Here, hi! Do you know one of them sheep’s falled down into a hole? I’m sure master don’t mean you to be wasting all your time out there, and idling about like a schoolboy.”
This was yelled hoarsely from some fifty yards away, and Nic saw that his companion started as if he had been stung.
An angry speech was on Nic’s lips at this interruption, but he checked it, for he knew that he had no right to keep the man from his work.
“Coming directly,” he said in loud tones. Then to. Leather: “Stop a minute while I catch another, and then you shall go. You must land it for me.”
Brookes was not kept long waiting, for another fish was hooked and landed in the same way; but before Leather had scooped it out Brookes was shouting again furiously.
“Must go, sir,” said the convict.
“Stop and I’ll come with you,” cried Nic, laying down his rod as soon as the fish was unhooked, and he hurried with the man to where Brookes stood talking, though half he said was inaudible.
“Here, Master Nic,” he said, as they approached; “I dunno what your father’ll say. Here’s one of his best sheep o’ that new breed down in a hole. You’ve no business to let that fellow leave his work.”
“Where is it?” said Leather anxiously.