“Oh, I’m used to it.”
“Try it then,” said James, glad of a respite; “I am not much tired, but I’d like to see how you will make out.”
Tom took both oars and used them vigorously. He found his task a difficult one, but he kept up single-handed for a mile, when Edwin came to his assistance.
They were all glad to reach the starting-point. Jumping out, James secured the boat.
“Now we’ll go home,” he said.
“We’ve had a bully row,” said Tom, “though it was rather a hard pull back. It’s lucky for Jimmy that we went back.”
“It would have served the little beggar right if he’d drowned,” muttered James.
“I’m glad he didn’t, though,” said Tom.
“Small loss if he had,” muttered the lawyer’s son.
“Perhaps some might say so of us,” said Tom.