"Yes," said Walter; "I hear, but I cannot do it."
"You're playin' a dangerous game, young one," said Jack. "Perhaps you think I can't get over."
"I don't think you can," said Walter, glancing at the width of the ditch.
"You may find yourself mistaken."
Walter did not answer.
"Will you put back that plank?" demanded Jack, once more.
"No," answered Walter.
"You'll be sorry for it then, you young cub!" said Jack, fiercely.
He walked back about fifty feet, and then faced round. His intention was clear enough. He meant to jump over the ditch. Could he do it? That was the question which suggested itself to the anxious consideration of our hero. If the ground had been firm on the other side, such a jump for a grown man would not have been by any means a remarkable one. But the soft, spongy soil was unfavorable for a spring. Still it was possible that Jack might succeed. If he did, was there any help for Walter?
Our hero took the plank, and put it over his shoulder, moving with it farther down the edge. An idea had occurred to him, which had not yet suggested itself to Jack, or the latter might have been less confident of success.