could have disobeyed the head-master. Had Hurst ordered him to jump
into the river he must have done it. He took the keys tendered him by
Hurst, and was raising them for the pitch, when Bywater laid his hand
upon them and struck them down with a sudden movement, clutching them
to him.

"You little wretch, you are as deaf as a donkey!" he uttered. "There's
somebody coming up. Turn your head, and look who it is."

It proved to be Fordham, the dean's servant. He was accidentally
passing. The boys did not fear him; nevertheless, it was only prudent
to remain still, until he had gone by. They stood, all five, leaning
upon the wall, soiling their waistcoats and jackets, in apparent
contemplation of the view beyond. A pleasant view! The river wound
peacefully between its green banks; meadows and cornfields were
stretched out beyond; while an opening afforded a glimpse of that
lovely chain of hills, and the white houses nestled at their base. A
barge, drawn by a horse, was appearing slowly from underneath the city
bridge, blue smoke ascending from its chimney. A woman on board was
hanging out linen to dry--a shirt, a pair of stockings, and a
handkerchief--her husband's change for the coming Sunday. A young girl
was scraping potatoes beside her; and a man, probably the husband, sat
steering, his pipe in his mouth. The boys fixed their eyes upon the
boat.

"I shouldn't mind such a life as that fellow's yonder!" exclaimed young
Berkeley, who was fonder of idleness than he was of Latin. "I'll turn
bargeman when other trades fail. It must be rather jolly to sit
steering a boat all day, and do nothing but smoke."