`` Fall to thy business , and leave mocking thy betters . '' Hugh Ferryman grumblingly undid his boat , and shoved it a little forth into the deep water . Then Dick led in the horse , and Matcham followed . `` Ye be mortal small made , master , '' said Hugh , with a wide grin ; `` something o ' the wrong model , belike . 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 XXXXX .
Daniel Fenne Ferryman Hugh Matcham Shelton Sirrah betters oars shrew