`` Launch me your boat , I prithee ; we are sore in haste . '' The gaunt ferryman continued staring . `` By the mass ! '' he cried at length , and laughed with open throat . Matcham coloured to his neck and winced ; and Dick , with an angry countenance , put his hand on the lout 's shoulder . `` How now , churl ! '' he cried . `` 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 XXXXX , keeping the boat steady with one oar , `` I have a shrew guess that John-a-Fenne is on the island .
Hugh Matcham Shelton Sirrah churl ferryman lout martens oars reeds