“Are they the highland cattle which Will Brinsmead bought for him at Saint Faith’s?” asked a voice, so close to the two speakers that they both started.
“Come out into the moonlight, friend,” said Jack, boldly; “I don’t answer questions to a man that keeps out of sight.”
The stranger stepped out from beneath the shadow of a row of beech-trees which grew on the bank close to the path which Jack and his companion were following. He was a broad-set countryman in appearance, habited in a well-worn but strong riding-suit, with leather leggings, a horseman’s jackboots, and a broad leathern belt, in which Jack’s quick eye caught sight of a pistol-barrel. He seemed considerably entertained by Jack’s challenge, and repeated his question with great good-humour, in an unmistakable Yorkshire accent.
“You perhaps know as much as I do about the beasts,” answered Jack. “Some of them are Scotch, and well fed on these rich water-meadows, till they are nearly as valuable as the Leicestershire breed. I see a few down there which are real Herefordshire, too. And now may I ask who you are?”
“Well, a fair answer deserves another in return. I am a Yorkshire cattle-dealer, at your service, just passing through Nottingham, and I walked out here to see if there was any thing likely to suit me, in case I chose to make a bargain to-morrow morning. I must be early on the road to Derby. I hope you are satisfied, young man. And now let me ask you what game you are after?”
“To be honest with you, we came out to catch a salmon or two,” answered Jack. “There are some fine ones now and then down the stream a little way, though it is not often salmon come so far up the river. We shall have a boat here, which will carry us close up to the weir.”
“Ah! I like that sort of thing!” said the Yorkshireman; “I have seen a good bit of such sport in my time. What now if I were to lend you a hand? With the leister we would soon have a fine one that way, and if we had a lantern ready, we might take a few by ‘sunning’ besides.”
“Oh, yes! we shall be glad for you to come,” answered Smedley, before Jack could say any thing. “I should like above all things to see fish sunned.”
“Well, then,” answered the Yorkshireman, “you and your friend here must give me your word to forget, if ever you should see me again, that you met me this night. On that condition I will show you some north-country sport—on that alone, mind. You,” he added, turning to Jack, “for I can trust you by the tone of your voice, must answer for your friends in the boat.”
“Oh, yes! I will answer for them as I would for myself,” said Jack, who, forgetting his former good resolutions, was almost as eager as Smedley to witness the new style of sport which the stranger promised them.