"He've hed plenty time now.

Get the basket ready, young squire Dick.

Think it'll hold him ?" "If it won't we'll curl him round, Dave," said the lad, laughing.

"Now Tom, don't miss." The boat approached slowly, and Tom was awkwardly placed; but Dave was prepared for this, and after giving the little vessel a sharp impulse he thrust down the pole to the bottom, and checked the head, so that the stern swung round and gave Tom a fair chance, which he stood ready to seize as the boat drew nearer.
They were soon only about ten yards away, and the bladder remained so motionless that the lads' hearts sank with disappointment, for it seemed as if the bait had been left.
"Look out, lad!" said Dave, however, for his quick eyes had detected what was about to happen, and he gave the boat a tremendous thrust just as the bladder glided rapidly away.
Tom bent down and made a dart with his hook, and so earnestly that he would have gone overboard had not Dick caught him in the nick of time.
"Missed him," he cried.
"Here, this awayer," cried Dave.

"You was a chap!" and he held up his pole with the line over it.