e sunshine, the two lads bearing him up
easily enough between them, till they were fully fifty yards away from
the mouth.

Partly from dread, partly from a return of nerve, Max had, during the
latter part of his novel ride through the bracing water, remained
perfectly silent and quiescent, but the next words that were spoken sent
a shock through him greater than the first chill of the water.

"Now then!" cried Scood. "Let go! She'll get back all alone, and learn
to swim."

"No, no, not this time," said Kenneth. "We'll take him back now. He'll
soon learn, now he finds how easy it is. Turn round, Scood."

Scoodrach obeyed, and the swim was renewed, the two lads easily making
their way back to the mouth of the cave, up which they had about twenty
feet to go to reach the spot where the clothes were laid.

"Now," cried Kenneth, "you've got to learn to swim, so have your first
try."

"No, no; not this morning."

"Yes. At once. Strike out, and try to get in."

"But I can't. I shall sink."

"No, you shan't; I won't let you. Try."

There was no help for it. Max was compelled to try, for the support was
suddenly withdrawn, and for the next few minutes the poor fellow was
struggling and panting blindly, till he felt his hand seized, and that
it was guided to the side, up which he was helped to scramble.

"There!" cried Kenneth. "There's a big towel. Have a good rub, and
you'll be all in a glow."

Max took the towel involuntarily, and breathlessly tried to remove the
great drops which clung to him, feeling, to his surprise, anything but
cold, and, by the time he was half dressed, that it was not such a
terrible ordeal he had passed through after all.

"She'll swim next time," said Scood, as he rubbed away at his fiery
head.

"No, she won't, Scoodie," said Kenneth mockingly; "but you soon will if
you try."

"Do you think so?" asked Max, who began now to feel ashamed of his
shrinking and nervousness.

"Of course I do. Why, you weren't half so bad as some fellows are.
Remember Tom Macandrew, Scood?"

"Ou ay. She always felt as if she'd like to trown that boy."

"Look sharp!" cried Kenneth, nearly dressed. "Don't be too particular.
You'll soon get your hair dry."

"But it wants combing."

"Comb it when you get indoors. Come away. Let's have a run now, and
then there'll be time to polish up before breakfast. You, Scood, we
shall go fishing this morning, so be ready. Now then, Max,--I shall