human
A shot from close by!
gpt
Yes, Mr Winthorpe, said the engineer;
human
Nay, lads, I don't say as it weer the will-o'-the-wisps, only as it might have been.
gpt
Now, Hicky, cried Dick,
human
Can't say as ever I did, said the wheelwright;
gpt
What stuff! Do you hear what he says, Tom? He says it may have been one of the will-o'-the-wisps that shot and broke his finger.
human
A will-o'-the-wisp with a gun! cried Tom.
gpt
Ha! ha! ha!
human
Why shouldn't a will hev a goon as well as a lanthorn?
gpt
Why, where would he get his powder and shot?
human
Same place as he gets his candle for his lanthorn.
gpt
Oh, but what nonsense! The will-o'-the-wisp is a light that moves about, cried Dick.
human
It is not anybody.
gpt
I don't know so much about that, said the wheelwright, lifting up his bandaged hand.
human
All I know is that something shot at me, and broke my finger just the same as something shot at Mester Marston. They don't like it, lads. Mark my words, they don't like it.
gpt
Who don't like what?
human
Will-o'-the-wisps don't like people cootting big drains acrost the fen, my lads. They don't mind you fishing or going after the eels with the stong-gad; but they don't like the draining, and you see if it don't come to harm!
gpt
Nonsense! cried Dick.
human
But I say, Hicky, you are so quiet about it all, did you see who it was shot at you?
gpt
Ay, lads, I seen him.
human
What was he like, Hicky?
gpt
Somethin' between a big cloud, shape of a man, and a flash of lightning with a bit o' thunder.
human
Get out! roared Dick.
gpt
Why, he's laughing at us, Tom.
human
Nay, lads, I'm not laughing. It's just what I seemed to see, and it 'most knocked me over.
gpt
It's very queer, said Dick thoughtfully.
human
But I say, Hicky, what did the doctor say to your hand? Will it soon get well?
gpt
Didn't go to the doctor, lad.
human
Why, what did you do then?
gpt
Went to old Mikey Dodbrooke, the bone-setter.
human
What did you go to him for?
gpt
Because it's his trade. He knows how to mend bones better than any doctor.
human
Father says he's an old sham, and doesn't understand anything about it, said Dick.
gpt
You ought to have gone to the doctor, or had him, same as Mr Marston did.
human
Tchah! ejaculated Hickathrift.
gpt
Why, he had no bones broken. Doctors don't understand bone-setting.
human
Who says so?
gpt
The bone-setter.
human
Well, is it getting better, Hicky?
gpt
Oh yes! It ar'n't very bad. Going down to the drain?
human
Yes. Mr Marston's found a curious great piece of wood, and the men are digging it out.
gpt
Don't stop late, my lads, said the wheelwright, anxiously.
human
I wouldn't be coming back after dark when the will-o'-the-wisps is out.
gpt
I don't believe all that stuff, Hicky, said Dick.
human
Father says--
gpt
Eh! What does he say?
human
That he thinks it's one of Mr Marston's men who has a spite against him, and that when there was that shot the other night, it was meant for the engineer.
gpt
Hah! Yes! Maybe, said the wheelwright, drawing a long breath and looking relieved.
human
But I wouldn't stop late, my lads.
gpt
We shall stop just as long as we like, sha'n't we, Tom?
human
Yes.
gpt
Then I shall come and meet you, my lads. I sha'n't be happy till I see you back safe.
human
I say, Hicky, you've got a gun, haven't you?
gpt
Eh! A goon!
human
Yes; you've got one?
gpt
An old one. She's roosty, and put awaya. I heven't hed her out for years.
human
Clean it up, and bring it, Hicky, said Dick.
gpt
We may get a shot at something. I say, you'd lend me that gun if I wanted it, wouldn't you?
human
Nay, nay; thou'rt not big enew to handle a goon, lad. Wait a bit for that.
gpt
Come along, Tom! cried Dick.
human
And I say, Hicky, bring the forge-bellows with you, so as we can blow out the will's light if he comes after us.
gpt
Haw--haw--haw--haw!