“Couldn’t,” cried Esau. “I say, one don’t feel the water so cold now. I don’t want a place to be any better than this. It’s just right.”
“Well, let’s swim back now, and dress. I want my breakfast, and I dare say Gunson’s ready.”
“Bother old Gunson!” puffed Esau. “He’s a regular nuisance. Is he going to-day?”
“I can’t talk in—the water.”
“What?”
“Come on back now.”
I had turned, and begun swimming steadily back, for the water hardly flowed here close to the shore; and as I swam I kept on glancing up at the huge trees, which were four or five times the size of any I had ever seen before.
“Don’t you want your breakfast, Esau?” I said, after a few minutes’ swim, but he did not answer. “Esau, come along.” But still there was no answer; and I turned round and looked back, to see that he was still swimming in the other direction, and a long way from me.
“Esau,” I roared, “come back!” and I had the satisfaction of seeing him turn, and begin to swim in my direction.
Striking out strongly, I was making for the place where I had left my clothes, when I suddenly heard him hail me.