“To save you,” was the quick reply.
“You can’t do it. I’m too sick and weak to walk.”
“Then get on my back, and hold tight. I’ll carry you.”
“No, Bumper, you couldn’t do it. I’m too heavy for you. Run along and save yourself.”
“Get on my back, Bobby, and stop talking! Quick now, or we’ll both be scorched. The fire’s nearly here.”
Still protesting, Bobby finally obeyed. He was almost as big as Bumper, but not so fat and heavy, and to hold himself on he had to cling to the white rabbit’s neck. This choked Bumper, and made it more difficult for him to run.
But he couldn’t stop for that. He had to hurry, or both of them would be killed by the fire. He hopped along slowly with his burden, and the fire seemed to gain on them. In vain he tried to run faster, but he was doing all he could. His strength was giving out rapidly.
“I can never swim the river with him,” he kept thinking. “I’ll drown surely, but that’s better than being burnt alive.”
When he finally reached the water he was too exhausted to jump in. Bobby realized that it was impossible to go further. “You go alone, Bumper, and leave me,” Bobby said. “I can’t swim, but you can.”
“No, I can’t swim either,” panted Bumper. “I haven’t any strength left.”