"Now, maybe the next time you boat-thieves find a punt you'll think twice afore you take it," shouted Billy.
"How're we goin' to get back 'cross the crick?" whined the vanquished LaRose.
"Swim it, same's I did," Billy called back.
"But the snakes an' turtles!" wailed the marooned pair.
"You gotta take a chance. I took one." Billy urged the punt forward across the creek to where the grinning and highly delighted Maurice waited.
"Jump in here, an' let's get fishin'."
Maurice lost no time. "Where'll we go, Bill?"
"Up to the mouth. There's green bass up there an' lots of small frogs, if we need 'em, fer bait."