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Youll have to bring her in, you know, he said. I cant walk on water.
But you can walk on land, cant you? asked Nelson sweetly.
Walk on ? Hold on, you idiot, youre backing her!
Must be something wrong with her, replied Nelson calmly. He reached for the tiller-line, swung the dorys nose toward the camp, shot the lever forward, and waved gaily at Dan. Its only two miles, you know, he called, as the boat chugged away. And its a good road!
He looked back, expecting to hear Dan explode in a torrent of anger. But he didnt; he merely stood there with his hands in his pockets and grinned. Half-way across the lake Nelson turned again and descried Dans form crossing the bridge on the road back to camp. Nelson winked gravely at the mail-bag.
CHAPTER IV
RELATES HOW NELSON BORROWED A LEAF FROM BOB, AND HOW DAN CRIED QUITS
There wasnt much about gas-engines that Nelson didnt know, for ever since he was old enough to walk his family had spent a portion at least of every summer at the shore, and of late years a gasoline-launch had been a feature of the vacation program. To be sure, a power-dory was rather a trifling thing after a thirty-six-foot cruising-launch, and the engine left much to be desired, but it got along pretty well, and Nelson wished he didnt have to return to camp, but might turn the dorys head up the lake and go cruising. But perhaps they would let him take the dory some other time. Tom Ferris was on the pier when the boat came within easy hail.
Wheres Dan? he asked.
Coming back by road.
Road?
Yes; he decided to walk.
What for? asked Tom incredulously.
Nelson shook his head. Exercise, I guess, he answered, as he steered the dory in under the boom. Here! catch the bag, will you?
It was evident that Tom was far from satisfied with the information supplied, for all the way up the hill he shot suspicious glances at Nelson, and stumbled over numerous roots and stones in his preoccupation. But he didnt discover anything more, at least from Nelson.
After the mail was distributed in Birch Hall the two boys got their rackets and balls and climbed the hill, past the spring and the little sunlit glade where church service was held on Sundays, until a tiny plateau was reached. Here was the tennis-court, fashioned with much difficulty and not altogether guiltless of stones, but not half bad for all that. It was well supplied with back-nets a fortunate circumstance, since the woods closed in upon it on all sides, and balls once lost in the undergrowth would have been difficult to find. Tom, considering his bulk, played a very fast and steady game, and succeeded in securing one of the three sets which they managed to finish before the assembly sounded at eleven oclock and they fled down the hill to the lake.
The morning bath, or soak, as it was called, was compulsory as regarded every camper. Nothing save absence or illness was allowed to excuse a fellow from this duty. Tom and Nelson donned their bathing trunks and pushed their way out onto the crowded pier. Two of the steel boats were occupied by councilors, whose duty it was to time the bathers and keep an eye on adventurous swimmers. The boys lined the edge of the pier and awaited impatiently the signal from Mr. Ellery. Presently, All in! was the cry, and instantly the pier was empty, save for a few juniors whose inexperience kept them in shallow water along the little sandy beach. The water spouted in a dozen places, and one by one dripping heads bobbed above the surface and their owners struck out for the steps to repeat the dive. Nelson found the water far warmer than he was accustomed to at the beaches; it was almost like jumping into a tub for a warm bath. When he came to the surface after a plunge and a few vigorous kicks under water he found himself close to the boat occupied by Dr. Smith. He swam to it, laid hold of the gunwale, and tried to wipe the water from his eyes.
Whats the trouble, Tilford? asked the councilor smilingly.
I guess my eyes are kind of weak, Nelson answered. The water makes them smart like anything.
Better keep them closed when you go under. It isnt the fault of your eyes, though; its the water.
But they never hurt before, sir.
Where have you bathed in fresh water?
No, sir salt.
Thats different. The eyes are used to salt water, but fresh water irritates them.
I should think it would be the other way, said Nelson, blinking.
Not when you consider that all the secretions of the eye are salty. Tears never made your eyes smart, did they?
No, sir; thats so. Its funny, though, isnt it?
Well, its like a good many other things, Tilford strange until you get used to it. I suppose you swim pretty well?
Oh, I dont know, sir. Ive swam all my life, I guess, but I dont believe Im what youd call a dabster.
I wouldnt think of calling you that, anyhow, laughed the Doctor, for I dont think I know what it means. But how about diving?
Nelson shook his head.
Ive never done much of that. Ive usually bathed in the surf, you see. Id be scared silly if I tried what those fellows are doing.
The fellows referred to were standing on a tiny platform built up a good ten feet above the floor of the pier. One by one they launched themselves into the lake, at least eighteen feet below, some making straight dives, some letting themselves fall and straightening out just as they reached the surface, and one, who proved to be Dan Speede, turning a backward somersault and disappearing feet first and hands high over head.
That was a dandy, wasnt it? asked Nelson with enthusiasm.
Yes; I guess Speedes the star diver here. But he takes mighty big risks sometimes. If you want to try a dive Ill watch you and see if I can help you any with criticism.
All right, but I just jump off when I dive, said Nelson. But Id like to learn, sir.
So he swam over to the steps, reaching them just ahead of Dan, and walked along the pier to a place where there was no danger of striking the steam-launch which was tied alongside. He had just reached a position that suited him and was standing sideways to the water, when there as an exclamation, some one apparently stumbled into him, and he went over like a ninepin, striking the water in a heap and going so far under he thought he would never come up again. But he did finally, his lungs full of water and his breath almost gone from his body came up choking and sputtering to see Dan looking down with that maddening grin on his face, and to hear him call:
Awfully sorry, Tilford. I tripped on a knot-hole!
Nelson coughed and spat until some of the water was out of him and it was odd how disagreeable it tasted after salt water and turned to swim back. Dr. Smith was smiling broadly as Nelson passed, and the latter called, We wont count that one, sir.
Dan was awaiting him on the pier, apparently prepared for whatever Nelson might attempt in the way of revenge. But Nelson took no notice of him. This time he made his dive without misadventure, and then swam out to the Doctor to hear the latters criticism.
That wasnt so bad, Tilford. But you want to straighten out more and keep your feet together. And I wouldnt try to jump off at first; just fall forward, and give the least little bit of a shove with your feet at the last moment.
Ill try it again, said Nelson.
This time Dan did not see Nelson as the latter came along the pier. He was standing near the edge, daring Hethington to go over with his hands clasped under his knees, and knew nothing of his danger until he found himself lifted from his feet. Then he struggled desperately, but Nelson had seized him from behind and his hands found no clutch on his captors wet body. The next instant he was falling over and over in a most undignified and far from scientific attitude. He tried to gather himself together as he struck the water, but the attempt was not a success, and he disappeared in a writhing heap. Like Nelson, he came up choking and gasping, trying his best to put a good face on it, but succeeding so ill that the howls of laughter that had greeted his disappearance burst forth afresh. But, thought Nelson, he was a wonderful chap to take a joke, for, having found his breath, he merely swam quickly to the steps and came up onto the pier looking as undisturbed as you please.