Nay , Master Shelton , I am for you , '' he added , getting to his oars . `` A cat may look at a king . I did but take a shot of the eye at Master Matcham . '' `` Sirrah , no more words , '' said Dick . `` Bend me your back . '' They were by that time at the mouth of the creek , and the view opened up and down the river . Everywhere it was enclosed with islands . Clay banks were falling in , willows nodding , reeds waving , martens dipping and piping . There was no sign of man in the labyrinth of waters . `` My master , '' said the ferryman , keeping the boat steady with one oar , `` I have a shrew guess that John-a-Fenne is on the island . He bears me a black grudge to all Sir Daniel 's . How if I turned me up stream and landed you an arrow-flight above the path ? Ye were best not meddle with John Fenne . '' `` How , then ? is he of this company ? '' asked Dick . `` Nay , mum is the word , '' said Hugh . `` But I would go up water , Dick . How if Master Matcham came by an arrow ? '' and he laughed again .
`` Be it so , XXXXX , '' answered Dick .
Daniel Fenne Hugh Matcham Shelton Sirrah ferryman oar oars shrew