All the way home he was in a state of great excitement, now and again giving vent to his feelings in words addressed to the dogs. Hurt ye, would they? I'd ha' died first. I'd never ha' looked Master Ned in the face agin if a hair o' yer heads hed been hurt."

I believe that was the last occasion on which Baulk's temper burst its bounds; repeated attacks of fever and ague finished the poor fellow a little later on, to Denzil's sorrow as well as that of others.

In the summer-time, when the reed warblers came to build their nests, it was a continual chatter in the marshes day and night. The sedge birds built near at hand in the swamp, on the other side of the wall which separated Den's friend's orchard from the open marshes. If the lads thought the birds were not sufficiently lively, they would throw stones in the reeds and make a plash in the water. That would start them again in fine style.

Round the edge of the pond the wild-fowl frequented most, wild celery grew in profusion. Baulk told Den the fowl loved that plant, and he often saw feathers about the place, which confirmed the statement.