"Too big hole in yer head," objected Chick-chick. "The water 'd wash all your brains out. Awful strong current down there."
"Better not stir much," counseled Apple. "There's quite a bad cut you've got on top and we had a time getting the bleeding stopped. If you move about much you're likely to unsettle the clot and start it again. Better lie still."
"But I'm not just going to lie down and die here. I want to get out."
"Easy now, Matt. You don't help us by acting that way and you won't help us if you get your head started again either. Look at that water. Brick's worked in it till he's just about all in. You can't do any better than he."
"Who says I can't?" he cried, bristling at once.
"I'd say you can't if 'twould do any good," replied Chick-chick. "That's no way to act at such time 's this. Ye ain't bein' like a man or a Christian. See, ye've started the blood again and it's trickling down your face. Now lie down."
In the face of such conditions Matt had sense enough to desist from further opposition. He lay down again and soon the bleeding stopped.
"Chick-chick," he said, in subdued tones. "I give you leave to kick me if I act the fool again."
"There wouldn't be any pleasure in it, now," said Chick-chick. "Hold your offer till we get t' camp if ye want t' please me. What I say is let's put all lights out and everybody go to sleep."
"Suppose the water comes up on us," objected Matt.