CHAPTER XXI
CHARNOCK TRIES HIS STRENGTH
The skip that crossed the river was loaded, and Charnock and Festing were forced to wait until it came back. They climbed to a platform on the bridge-pier and stood for some minutes, shivering in the wind. The skip would only carry one, and when it arrived Charnock made Festing get in.
“You were in the water longest,” he said. “Get aboard as quick as you can!”
Festing was swung across the river, but waited until Charnock arrived, when they ran up the hill to the former's shack. The fire was out and Festing's face was blue, while Charnock's teeth chattered as he threw off his clothes. Festing gave him another suit.
“I'm afraid they're not very dry, but they're the best I've got,” he said. “You did a plucky thing, Bob.”
“Not at all, and you would, no doubt, have landed if I hadn't come. You see, the skip was starting and I didn't stop to think. But it's horribly cold. Where's your towel?”
He put on the half-dry clothes and went to the door. “I'm not often in such a hurry to get back to work, but if I don't move I'll freeze. See you later!”
“Stop a moment,” Festing called. “Do you find the bunk-house comfortable?”