The young man rescued looked about him stupidly.
"What made you jump into the river?" asked the boatman.
"I was drunk," said the young man, frankly, upon whom the shock of the falling into the water had produced a favorable effect.
"It's lucky this boy was near and jumped after you, or you might have been drowned before I got to you."
The young man turned and looked earnestly at Tom.
"So you jumped after me?" he said.
"I feel as if I did," answered Tom. "I'm as wet as a drowned rat."
"You're a brave boy."
"Thank you," said Tom, modestly. "But I can swim so well that it didn't take much courage."
"I can't swim a stroke."