“Just as you please,” said Tom. “You own the boat.”
He would have preferred to row, but was willing to wait till one of the boys got tired and yielded the oars. He seated himself therefore in the end of the boat and steered.
“I am not used to the river,” said Tom, “and you must tell me if I steer wrong.”
They had the current in their favor, and the boat went merrily onward, easily impelled by the two boys, who were evidently pleased with their speed.
“It’ll be rather different rowing back,” said Tom.
“Oh, we can manage it,” said James, with an air of consequence. “We are used to rowing.”
“The current will be against you.”
“We can manage,” said James confidently.
A little later they were startled by a loud scream. A boy of six had tumbled into the river while playing on the bank, and though it was shallow, was in danger of drowning.
Tom was the first to perceive his danger.