Page 371 of 896

But, his long-cherished desire to know more about these matters,

not only stopped him in his running away, but lured him back

again. They were still fishing perseveringly, when he peeped in

at the gate for the second time; but, now they seemed to have got

a bite. There was a screwing and complaining sound down below,

and their bent figures were strained, as if by a weight. By slow

degrees the weight broke away the earth upon it, and came to the

surface. Young Jerry very well knew what it would be; but, when

he saw it, and saw his honoured parent about to wrench it open,

he was so frightened, being new to the sight, that he made off

again, and never stopped until he had run a mile or more.