“Here we are at last!” cried Charlie, panting and puffing. “I say, Tom Drift, I don’t believe I could have carried this bag any farther if I’d tried.”
“It’ll be lighter when we go home. Hullo! who are these three?” for at this moment Gus, Margetson, and Shadbolt made their appearance.
“They look like Randlebury fellows by their caps. Oh, I know who one of them is,” added Charlie— “Margetson, in the fourth; don’t you know him?”
“Rather!” replied Tom; “and the other two are Shaddy and Gus. Who’d have thought of meeting them!” and he gave a whistle, which succeeded in attracting the attention of the worthy trio.
Of course their surprise at meeting Tom and his companion was no less great—in fact, they had to inquire who the youngster was.
“Where are you off to?” demanded Gus.
“We’re going to try our luck up the Sharle,” said Tom.
“You’ll be sold if you do,” said Gus. “We were down looking at it, and a pretty state it’s in. Old Skinner at the Tannery took it into his head to leave his gates up last night, and his muck has got into the river and poisoned every fish in it—hasn’t it, Shad?”
“Rather!” replied Shad. “I was glad enough to get my nose away from the place.”
“Here’s a go, Charlie!” said Tom, turning to his young companion.