But Farmer Green, with a grim smile of satisfaction, soon settled her in the same fashion as he had done the boy; and then, picking up his fishing-basket, strode away, calling out, ’Ye’ll bide there my time, ye young limbs of mischief!  It’s only serving like ye serve!’

‘Button-boy, did he hurt you?’ asked Nancy anxiously; for all this time Teddy had not said a word.

He turned his head and looked at her.  ’I feel shooken up dreadful, he’s so awful strong; but I’m not very hurt, only I’m sorry, and I’ve been telling my Captain about it, and asking Him to forgive me.’

‘Shall we stay here all the evening and all the night?’

’Oh no! he’ll come and let us go soon.  It isn’t fair on you, for you didn’t do anything.’

’I laughed at him, and I wanted you to leave him tied up.  But I don’t care, it doesn’t hurt.  You haven’t told me ever what I asked you about Jesus’ sailors.  Tell me now, because I want to belong to your Captain, and I’m not going to be a soldier.’

’I did ask mother, and she said sailors were soldiers, they were sea soldiers.  You’ll have to be a soldier, I expect.’

’Sailors fight, I know they do.  Grandfather read me about Nelson the other evening, and showed me a picture of sailors cutting the enemy’s arms off, as they tried to scramble on board ship.  I shan’t never change to soldiers.  Sailors are much nicer.  And if sailors fight, I can be a sailor for Jesus.’

Their conversation was interrupted by voices and steps approaching, and in another moment two ladies and a gentleman appeared, evidently going home after a fishing excursion.  The path led past the tree, and they stopped in astonishment at the sight of the two children.

Teddy was the first to speak.  He recognised the newcomers to be the squire, Colonel Graham, and his wife, with a visitor staying with them.  ‘Please, sir, will you undo us?’ he asked appealingly.

The colonel laughed heartily.  ’Ah! young fellow, you’re caught, are you?  Lady Helen, this is one of the young hopefuls in our village, I have been told the ringleader in every bit of mischief set going!  You wouldn’t think it to look at him, would you?’

‘What an angel’s face!’ said that lady admiringly.  ’And who is the little girl? she looks a regular little gipsy!’

Neither of the children appreciated these remarks, but the colonel good-naturedly put down his fishing-basket and cut the piece of rope that bound them.

‘Now, then, youngster!’ he said, ’speak up and tell us who bound you in this fashion, and what have you been doing to merit such punishment?’

Having got his hands free, Teddy stood up bravely and told the story briefly and clearly, to the great amusement of his hearers.

‘And he would never have been caught if he hadn’t gone back to undo him,’ put in Nancy; ‘so he oughtn’t to have been punished at all.’

‘What made you go back, my boy?’ asked Mrs. Graham gently.