126 DOGGED 7ACK.

 "I say, Dick," began Roger, "Adolphus means
 us three to ride home together, but I vote we don't
 gratify him by doing so."
 "I'd a great deal rather not ride with him, I'm
 sure," was the reply; "but how can we avoid it ?"
 Suppose you and I start half an hour before the
 rest;-mount in the yard, and ride out quietly by
 that little lane that leads to the high road, instead
 of going in front of the house and down the
 avenue ?"
 "A capital idea !" cried Dick joyously; but what
time do the others start, do you know?"
 "At six precisely. I heard Mr. Gilbert arrange
that with Dr. Brown before they got into the boat; so
will you meet me in the stable-yard at half-past five ?
I'll saddle the ponies myself, and have them ready,
so that we can then start at once."
 "Agreed Oh, what a splendid plan! Let us
hasten on now, though, or they will suspect us of
hatching some plot. Don't tell Jack anything about
it, or he will spoil all."
 The four boys fished all the afternoon. Between
them they landed two trout of about three inches in
length, caught four others, who shabbily but wisely
made their escape, had a few hundred premonitory
" nibbles," which each time caused great excitement
but came to nothing in the end, and lost between