Quicksilver Part 63

"But I shall get so wet."

"Yah!" e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Bob in tones of disgust. "You are a fellow. Take your clothes off, make 'em in a bundle, and swim over."

Dexter was half-disposed to say, "You swim across to me," but nothing would have been gained if he had, so, after a few minutes' hesitation, and in genuine dread, he obeyed the wishes of his companion, but only to pause when he was half-undressed.

"I say, though," he whispered, "can't you get the boat? It's so cold and dark."

"Well, you are a fellow!" cried Bob. "Beginning to grumble afore we start. It's no use to have a mate who's afraid of a drop of water, and don't like to get wet."

"But--"

"There, never mind," grumbled Bob; "we won't go."

"But I didn't say I wouldn't come, Bob," whispered Dexter desperately.

"I'll come."

There was no answer.

"Bob." Still silence.

"I say, don't go, Bob. I'm very sorry. I'm undressing as fast as I can. You haven't gone, have you?"

Still silence, and Dexter ceased undressing, and stood there in the cold night air, feeling as desolate, despairing, and forlorn as boy could be.

"What shall I do?" he said to himself; and then, in a despondent whisper, "Bob!"

"Hullo!"

"Why, you haven't gone!" joyfully.

"No; but I'm going directly. It's no use for me to have a mate who hasn't got any pluck. Now then, are you coming, or are you not!"

"I'm coming," said Dexter. "But stop a moment. I'll be back directly."

"Whatcher going to do!"

"Wait a moment and I'll show you."

Dexter had had a happy thought, and turning and running in his trousers to the tool-shed, he dragged out a small deal box in which seeds had come down from London that spring. It was a well-made tight box, and quite light, and with this he ran back.

"Why, what are you doing?" grumbled Bob, as soon as he heard his companion's voice.

"Been getting something to put my clothes in," whispered Dexter. "I don't want to get them wet."

"Oh," said Bob, in a most unconcerned way; and he began to whistle softly, as Dexter finished undressing, tucked all his clothes tightly in the box, and bore it down to the water's edge, where it floated like a little boat.

"There!" cried Dexter excitedly. "Now they'll be all dry when I've got across. Ugh! how cold the water is," he continued, as he dipped one foot. "I wish I'd brought a towel."

"Yah! what does a fellow want with a towel? You soon gets dry if you run about. Going to walk across!"

"I can't," said Dexter; "it's too deep."

"Well, then, swim. I could swim that with one hand tied behind."

"I couldn't," said Dexter, hesitating, for it was no pleasant task to plunge into the little gliding river at midnight, and with all dark around.

"Now then! Look alive! Don't make a splash."

"Oh!"

"What's the matter?"

"It is cold."

"Yah! Then, get back to bed with you, and let me go alone."

"I'm coming as fast as I can," said Dexter, as he lowered himself into the stream, and then rapidly climbed out again, as the cold water caused a sudden catching of the breath; and a nervous shrinking from trusting himself in the dark river made him draw right away from the edge.

"Why, you ain't swimming," said Bob. "Here, look sharp! Why, you ain't in!"

"N-no, not yet," said Dexter, shivering.

"There's a coward!" sneered Bob.

"I'm not a coward, but it seems so dark and horrible to-night, and as if something might lay hold of you."

"Yes, you are a regular coward," sneered Bob. "There, jump in, or I'll shy stones at yer till you do."

Dexter did not speak, but tumbled all of a heap on the short turf, shrinking more and more from his task.

"I shall have to go without you," said Bob.

"I can't help it," said Dexter, in a low, tremulous whisper. "It's too horrid to get in there and swim across in the dark."

"No, it ain't. I'd do it in a minute. There, jump in."

"No," said Dexter sadly. "I must give it up."

"What, yer won't do it!"

"I can't," said Dexter sadly. "We must try some other way. I'm going to dress again. Oh!"

"What's the matter now!"

"My clothes!" _Splash_! _Rush_!

Dexter had rapidly lowered himself into the black deep stream and was swimming hard and fast, for as he rose and sought for his garments he suddenly recalled the fact that he had turned the box into a tiny barge, laden it with his clothes, and placed them in the river, while now, as he went to take them out, he found that the stream had borne the box away, and it was going down toward the sea.

"Try if you can see them, Bob," said Dexter, as he panted and struggled on through the water.