I looked, and he waded out three or four yards, till the water was
nearly over his shoulders.
"Oh, I say, isn't the tide strong!" he cried. "Now, then, look."
He threw up his arms, joined his hands as he stood facing me, made a
sort of jump and turned right over, plunging down before me, his legs
and feet coming right out, and then for some seconds there was a great
deal of turmoil and splashing in the muddy water, and he came up close
to the bank.
"That's the way," he cried, panting. "You have to try to get to the
bottom, and that gives you confidence."
"I didn't learn that way," shouted George Day. "See me float!"
We all looked, and he turned over on his back, but splashed a good deal
to keep himself up. Then all at once he went under, and my heart seemed
to stand still, but he came up again directly, shaking his head and
spitting.
"Tread water!" he cried; and he seemed to be wading about with
difficulty.
"Is it deep there?" I shouted.
"Look," he cried; and raising his hands above his head he sank out of
sight, his hands disappearing too, and then he was up again directly and
swam to the bank.
"I wish I could swim like you do," I said, looking at him with
admiration.
"Well, it's easy enough," he said. "Come along."
"Shall I?"
"Yes. Why, what are you afraid of? Nobody ever comes down here except
us boys who want a bathe. Slip off your clothes and have a good dip.
You're sure to like it."
"But I've never been used to it," I protested.
"Then get used to it," he cried. "I say, boys, he ought to learn,
oughtn't he?"
"Yes," cried the others. "Let's get out and make him."
"Oh, I don't want any making," I said proudly. "But I say--is it
dangerous?"
"Dangerous! Hark at him! Ha--ha--ha!" laughed Day. "Why, what are you
afraid of? There, jump out of your jacket. I sha'n't stop in much
longer, and I want to give you a lesson."
"He's afraid," shouted the other two boys.
"Am I! You'll see," I said sturdily; and, feeling as if I were going to
do something very desperate, and with a curious sensation of dread
coming all over me, even to the roots of my hair, I rapidly undressed
and went to the edge.
"Hooray!" shouted Day. "Now, look here: you can jump in head first,
which is the proper way, or sneak in toes first, like they do. Show 'em
you aren't afraid. They daren't jump in head first. Come on; I'll take
care you don't come up too far out, as you can't swim."
"Would it matter if I did?" I said excitedly.