"What do you mean? I wouldn't drink that slimy liquid for anything," said Julie, frowning at the water.
"Now, just wait a second and you'll see what I can do with that water!" bragged Dick, glad to redeem his reputation as a scout.
With hands and a stick he quickly dug a hole to the depth of the marsh. Then he squinted carefully at his well, then at the marsh, and back again. The girls watched him curiously.
"Guess I can go a few inches deeper,—the well has to be about six inches below the surface of the nearby pool, you know."
He dug deeper and soon the well began filling with muddy water. "There, now I've got it!" said Dick.
"Do you expect us to drink that!" scorned Joan.
"No, but wait." Dick hurriedly baled out the well until it was almost emptied. Then he allowed it to fill again.
He baled it out a second time, and permitted it to fill again. The third time the water was almost clear, so he baled once more, and this time the water filtered in as clear as crystal.
He stooped, drank from it, and said: "It's cold and pure!"
Then the girls drank, and found it most refreshing to their parched tongues and throats.