as he would, nothing showed itself but screaming Canada geese. He
ran round, pulled out a boat half full of water, and, with a foot on
each side, paddled across to a bushy island in the centre,--but in
vain. The keeper's wife, who had the charge over them, came out:
'Oh, my Lord, I am so sorry! They pretty ducks!'

'Ha! the foxes?'

'I wish it was, my Lord; but it is they poachers out at Marksedge
that are so daring, they would come anywheres--and you see the ducks
would roost up in the trees, and you said I was not to shut 'em up at
night. My master was out up by Beech hollow; I heerd a gun, and
looked out; I seen a man and a boy--I'd take my oath it was young
Hodgekin. They do say Nanny Hodgekin, she as was one of the
Blacketts, whose husband was transported, took in two ducks next
morning to Northwold. Warren couldn't make nothing of it; but if
ever he meets that Hodgekin again, he says he _shall_ catch it!'

'Well, Mrs. Warren, it can't be helped--thank you for the good care
you took of the poor ducks,' said Louis, kindly; and as he walked on
through the gate, he gave a long sigh, and said, 'My dainty ducks!
So there's an end of them, and all their tameness!' But the smile
could not but return. 'It is lucky the case does not come before the
bench! but really that woman deserves a medal for coolness!'

'I suppose,' said Mary, 'she could have paid the fine with the price
of the ducks.'

'Ah! the beauties! I wish Mr. Hodgekin had fallen on the pheasants
instead! However, I am thankful he and Warren did not come to a