"One of the letters is quite proper; but, proper or no proper, uncle's note must also reach Mr. Garson, and you must promise to give it faithfully before I give you the Laulie. She's a splendid little craft. She would make a glorious Viking's bark! I am tempted to keep my spoil."
While they were talking Bill said to Gloy very loudly, "Never mind the jabber, boy. Come for a swim before breakfast! I'm off." They stripped and went in, and as they did so they whispered together and winked knowingly, then began to race and splash in the water as if they had no thought in their heads but the enjoyment of the moment, while the rival captains continued the engrossing debate.
Harry was not unwilling to carry the letter, but he did not like to be threatened into doing it.
"Suppose I refuse?" he said.
"Then I go off with your boat, and you remain prisoned on Havnholme."
"You could be severely punished if you did so."
"If you are mean enough to tell, and bring grown people and lawyers into the business," retorted Yaspard.
"I see no harm in taking the letter to Fred," said Tom then.
Tom strongly objected to telling tales. He also scented some rare shindies in the game Yaspard was playing, and Harry, seeing that the situation was an awkward one, agreed.
"Is that all?" he asked. But before the enemy could reply there came a shout from Tom, a howl from Yaspard, a screech from the Harrisons, and loud laughter from Gloy in the water.