h every narrow escape we
have from swamping; and I keep wishing I had----"

"Stop right there!" shouted George. "Didn't I say I'd jump you if you
ever gave another peep about those blessed things. Use the wings
nature gave you the right way, and you'll swim like a goose. Why, you
just _couldn't_ go under. You'd be like an empty bottle with a cork in
the neck, floating around."

Jack and Jimmie were laughing heartily at this little passage between
the nervous skipper of the speed boat and his plump crew. But Nick
made no answer, only looked reproachfully at George, as though
wondering to what lengths his ingratitude would take him.

A short time later the others were astonished to see Nick come forth
from the interior of the _Wireless_, upon which the tent had been
erected, disrobed, but still wearing the cork life preserver about his
body.

The air was none too warm, for it was now about the start of November;
but evidently Nick had made up his mind to put into practice the idea
Jack had advanced, and over which he had evidently been brooding the
live-long day.

He stepped into the water, drew his foot up as if its coldness chilled
him; then with a firm look on his fat face, pushed on until he was
waist deep. Then he turned an appealing look toward Jack, which the
other could not find it in his heart to resist.

"All right, Buster," he called out, waving his hand encouragingly.
"Just wait five minutes, and I'll be with you. Perhaps a little
ducking may be a good tonic, and make us enjoy that fine home-smoked
ham you grabbed."

Jimmie was ready to follow suit, but George declared he did not feel
any too warm as it was, and for one, hardly cared to take a bath. So
he busied himself in getting various things ready against supper time.

Jack was an obliging fellow at all times. He realized that this notion
of learning how to swim had become the one dominant idea in the
obstinate mind of the fat boy; and that the sooner he started to take
lessons the quicker they would have peace.

Besides, now that the motor boat boys had organized a regular club, and
expected to take numerous excursions on the water, it was only right
that every member of the organization should know how to save himself
in case of a spill.

And so he willingly started to show Nick how easy it was to float in
the still waters of the lagoon; also what little effort it required to
kick his feet and swing his arms in a way to make forward