“Against the current. I told you it would be. I’ll take your place.”
They changed places, and Tom begun to ply his oar. James soon found out that our hero had not only rowed before, but that he was very strong and dexterous, and considerably more than a match for him, even if he had not been tired. He would have been glad to have been relieved himself, but was too proud to own that he was fatigued.
“Shall we go up or down?” asked Tom.
“I don’t appear to have much to say about it,” said James unpleasantly. “You appear to control the boat.”
“Come, James, don’t bear malice,” said Tom pleasantly. “I wouldn’t have interfered, except to save Jimmy a fit of sickness. I knew you didn’t realize the danger of his going a long time with wet clothing. Now I am ready to receive your commands. Up or down?”
“We’d better go home,” said Edwin. “It’ll be hard getting there as it is, against the current.”
“Home then,” said James, his pride somewhat soothed by Tom’s leaving the matter to him.
Presently Tom, seeing that his companions lagged in rowing, said:
“If you are tired, James, I’ll take both oars for a little while.”
“I don’t believe you can.”