human
All right, wife! cried the squire.
gpt
Glad you are here, Hickathrift! All your people too?
human
Yes, squire, all safe here; but we're uneasy like about Dave o' the 'Coy and John Warren.
gpt
But they've got the boat,
human
Yes; I hope they're safe, said the squire.
gpt
Hickathrift, my lad, that was a brave thought of yours to light that fire. It saved our lives.
human
Nay, squire, said the big fellow;
gpt
The boat, he said--
human
Ay, squire. She leaks a deal, but I thrust an owd pillow in the hole. But I nigh upon lost her. My Grip woke me howling, for we were abed. I jumped out and ran down, thinking it was the foxes after the chickens, and walked right into the water. I knowed what it meant, and got over to the saw-pit, and just caught hold of the boat in the dark as it was floating away. Then I got my leaping-pole and run her under the window, and made my missus give me a pillow to stop the leak 'fore I could bale her out. Then Jacob come, and we got the missus down and poled her along here, but was nearly swept by.
gpt
You're a good fellow, Hickathrift, cried the squire.
human
Wife, get out some hollands; we're perished. Have a glass, my man; and then we must go in the punt to Grimsey and get the Tallingtons out. We're all right here, but Grimsey Farm will soon be flooded to the bed-room windows. Light a lanthorn, some one, and put in a spare candle. You'll go with me, Hickathrift?
gpt
Ay, squire, to the end of the world, if thou bids me; but I tell ye--
human
Well, what, man? Here, drink!
gpt
Efter yow, squire, said the big fellow sturdily.
human
I tell ye that no mortal man, nor no two men, couldn't take that punt across to Grimsey in the dark to-night. We should be swept no one knows wheer, and do no good to them as wants the help.
gpt
But we can't leave them to drown, man!
human
No; we can't do that, and we wean't, cried Hickathrift.
gpt
They'll get right on the roof if the bed-rooms gets full; and while we're waiting for day we'll have the punt hauled up. Jacob'll howd the light, and I'll see if I can't mend the hole. You've got a hammer and some nails in the big barn?
human
Yes, said the squire;