human
How was it, Dave?
gpt
Was it an accident?
human
Accident! Just such an accident as folks hev as shoves a burning candle in a corn stack. Just you two slither out yonder straight away, and see if you can see anyone.
gpt
But there can't be anyone,
human
Ice wouldn't bear, and they couldn't come in a punt.
gpt
Nay, they coom i' pattens, said Dave sharply.
human
I joost caught a blink of 'em as they went off, and I let 'em hev the whole charge o' my goon.
gpt
A bullet?
human
Nay, lad; swan-shot. I'd been out after the wild-geese at the end of the bit o' reed-bed here, when I see a light wheer there couldn't be no light, and I roon back and see what they'd done, and let fly at 'em.
gpt
And hit them, Dave?
human
Nay, lad, I can't say. I fired and I heered a squeal. Ice wouldn't bear for me to go and see.
gpt
Come along, Tom,
human
Can't you find 'em?
gpt
No.
human
Then they must have got away; but they've took some swan-shot wi' 'em, whoever they be.
gpt
But, Dave, were there two?
human
Don't know, lad. I only see one, and fired sharp. Look ye here, he continued, pointing to the glowing remains of his hut,
gpt
I nivver made no dreerns. They might have left me alone. Now they'll come back some day and pay me back for that shot. All comes o' your father makkin dreerns, Mester Dick, just as if we weren't reight before.
human
It's very, very sad, Dave.
gpt
Ay, bairn, and I feel sadly. Theer's a whole pound o' powder gone, and if I'd happened to be happed up i' my bed instead of out after they geese, I should hev gone wi' it, or been bont to dead. Why did they want to go meddling wi' me?
human
They've been meddling with every one, Dave,
gpt
grumbled Dave.
human
Theer was my sheepskin coat and a pair o' leggin's and my new boots.
gpt
Were the nets there, Dave?
human
Course they weer. Look, dessay that's them burning now. All my shot too melted down, and my tatoes, and everything I have.
gpt
Where was the dog?
human
Over at John Warren's. Wasn't well. Nice sort o' neighbour he is to stop away!
gpt
But he couldn't come, Dave, said Tom in remonstrant tones.
human
The ice wouldn't bear anyone but us boys.
gpt
Why, I'd ha' swimmed to him, growled Dave,
human
No you wouldn't, Dave. You couldn't when it's frozen. I say, couldn't we put anything out?
gpt
Nay, lads. It must bon right away, and then there'll be a clear place to build again.
human
But, cried Dick,
gpt
Boocket's bont, said Dave sadly,