ou ain't afraid, are you? Well, you are a chap!"

"But it's too deep to wade."

"Well, who said it wasn't!" growled the boy. "You can swim, can't you?"

"But I shall get so wet."

"Yah!" ejaculated 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 continu