Everyone of the boys was willing to teach Jeff a lesson, and the others watched with interest while Andy brought forth his pocketknife and commenced to saw away at the rope that held the hammock in place. All unconscious of what was going on, Jeff snored away as lustily as ever.
“It’s going!” whispered Andy, a few seconds later. “Watch him, boys, but get out of sight.”
The others understood and quickly sprang behind the neighboring trees. Then Andy gave a final slash.
Crack! The rope parted. Splash! [The hammock with Jeff in it struck the brook], sending the water flying in every direction. Then the colored man rolled over and the next instant was floundering around vigorously.
[THE HAMMOCK, WITH JEFF IN IT, STRUCK THE BROOK.]
“Hi! Hi! Save me! I’s drownin’! I’s drownin’!” he bellowed. “Save me!” And then he began to flounder around worse than ever.
The boys could not resist the temptation to laugh, and suddenly they burst out in a roar, in the midst of which Jeff suddenly stopped his struggling and arose to his feet in about two feet of water and mud. He gazed at the broken-down hammock ruefully, and then his eyes wandered in the direction of those who were taking in the scene.
“Wha—wha—what’s dis?” he stammered. “Who—who— How—how did I come in dat brook?”
“Jeff, what were you doing in that hammock?” demanded Gif.