Bywater's spirits went up to some of their
old impudence. "In looking for one thing you find another," quoth he.
Very true, Mr. Bywater! Sometimes we find more than we bargain for. The
drags were thrown in again, and the excited crowd jostled each other as
before, their faces hanging over the brink. Hush! Hark! Another prize!
What is it, coming up now?
A rare prize, this time! The drags pulled and tugged, and the men
cried, "Heave-ho!" and a hundred and one voices echoed it: "Heave-ho!
heave-ho!" Hush! Hush--sh--sh! A breathless moment of suspense, and up
it comes. Amidst straw and tangled weeds and mud, and the odds and ends
that a river will collect, something hard and clanking was thrown upon
the bank, and wondering eyes and faces peered over it.
Nothing but two keys. A pair of large rusty keys, tied together with
string. Bywater, and Hurst, and young Galloway, and one or two more,
cast significant glances together, and were nearly choking with fright
and suppressed laughter. One, standing there, conspicuous for his
dress, which amongst other items comprised an apron, turned a
significant glance on _them_. Bold Bywater met it, and looked a little
less bold than usual. But the prelate had kept counsel, and meant to
keep it; and he looked away again.
Once more were the drags thrown into the water. Once more the mob,
gentle and simple, crowded its brink. When the college bell tolled out
for morning prayers, those, whose duty it was to attend the cathedral,
drew themselves away unwillingly.
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