ver.

"We shall both get a good leathering, and that won't hurt so very much."

A good leathering! If it had been only the thrashing, Dexter felt that
he would have suffered that; but his stay at the doctor's had brought
forth other feelings that had been lying dormant, and now the thrashing
seemed to him the slightest part of the punishment that he would have to
face. No: he could not go back.

"Well, whatcher going to do!" said Bob at last, with provoking coolness.
"You lost the boat, and you've got to find it."

"I will try, Bob," said Dexter humbly. "But come and help me."

"Help yer? Why should I come and help yer? You lost it, I tell yer."

Bob jumped up and doubled his fists.

"Now then," he said; "get on, d'yer hear? get on--get on!"

At every word he struck out at Dexter, giving him heavy blows on the
arms--in the chest--anywhere he could reach.

Dexter's face became like flame, but he contented himself with trying to
avoid the blows.

"Look here!" he cried suddenly.

"No, it's you've got to look here," cried Bob. "You've got to find that
there boat."

Dexter had had what he thought was a bright idea, but it was only a
spark, and it died out, leaving his spirit dark once more, and he seemed
now to be face to face with the greatest trouble of his life. All his
cares at the Union, and then at the doctor's, sank into insignificance
before this terrible check to their adventure. For without the boat how
could they get out of England? They could not borrow another. There
was a great blank before him just at this outset of his career, and try
how he would to see something beyond he could find nothing: all was
blank, hopeless, and full of despair.

Had his comrade been true to him, and taken his share of the troubles,
it would have been bad enough; but it was gradually dawning upon Dexter
that the boy he had half-idolised for his cleverness and general
knowledge was a contemptible, ill-humoured bully--a despicable young
tyrant, ready to seize every opportunity to oppress.

"Are you a-going?" cried Bob, growing more brutal as he found that his
victim made no resistance, and giving him a blow on the jaw which sent
him staggering against one of the trees.

This was too much; and recovering himself Dexter was about to dash at
his assailant when he stopped short, for an idea that seemed
incontrovertible struck him so sharply that it drove away all thought of
the brutal blow he had received.

"