"Nay, it ar'n't, lad. Them red uns are strange and warm, and lies down like feathers. Then there's boots. I'd like a pair of the stoutest and thickest lace-up waterproofers as I could get--not a pair of old Fatty's cobbling, but real down good uns, out of Southampton's town." "Yes!" panted Waller, "And what else would you do with the money?" "Waal, I don't know about what else," said the man thoughtfully. "That there weskit and them boots would about do for the present." "That wouldn't cost two pounds," cried Waller; "and what would you do with the other?" "Bury it in an old pot," said the man, with a grin. "I know a hole as would take that." "Oh, Bunny!" cried the boy passionately, "I thought better of you! I did think you were a man!" "So I am," cried the fellow fiercely. "Who says I ar'n't?" "I do!" cried Waller, dashing his arm away. "For the sake of a warm waistcoat and a pair of stout boots you would give up that poor fellow to be hanged, or see him shot!" "Not me, lad!" cried Bunny fiercely. "You would, sir! Why, I'd sooner go shivering and barefoot all my days than even think of such a thing." "Phe-ew!" growled the man, and he began scratching the thick, dark curls, almost negro-like, that covered his head and hung over his broad brown temples. "Why, I never thought anything like that, Master Waller. Why, I wouldn't go and see a man shot nor hung for love or money! I only thought about that chap as being a spy as had come here to steal the crown; and it seemed to me, as you found him, that it'd be about fair if you and me went snacks with the reward. Look here, my lad, I'll get my old weskit covered with a bit of heifer-skin, and as for the boots, why, they'll do for another winter yet if I lay 'em up pretty thick with grease. Don't you get waxy with me, Master Waller. I didn't mean no harm. I wouldn't hurt that poor chap, especially as you like him." "No, Bunny," cried the boy, catching his arm again. "I'm sure you wouldn't; and you won't tell upon me?" "You say I ar'n't to, Master Waller, and, of course, I won't." "Then I do say you are not to. I wouldn't have that poor fellow found and taken for the world." "All right, Master Waller." "And as for the money you will miss, Bunny, I have got some saved up, and you shall have the waistcoat and the boots before a month's passed." "Na-ay, I shan't," growled the man. "Bang the boots and the weskit! I won't have 'em now. You say it's right for that there poor young chap to be took care of, and it shall be done. You have got him all right up there; but your father's coming home. What will he say?" "Oh, don't talk about it," cried the boy excitedly. "It makes me shiver!" "Do it? Well, look here, lad; when you know he's coming home, you hand the chap over to me." "What, could you hide him somewhere?"