“It doesn’t look possible to climb aboard.”
“I think I can do it,” Penny said, offering the tiller to her chum. “Here, take the stick.”
“You know what happens when I try to steer,” Louise replied, shrinking back. “I’ll be sure to upset. The wind always is tricky around a big boat.”
“Then I’ll take down the sail,” Penny decided, moving forward to release the halyard.
The billowing canvas came sliding down. Penny broke out the oars, and maneuvered the dinghy until it grated against the hull of the barge.
“Even a trained monkey couldn’t get up there,” Louise declared, staring at the high deck.
Penny rowed around to the other side of the barge. Discovering a rope which did not give to her weight, she announced that she intended to climb it.
“You’ll fall,” Louise predicted.
“Why, I’m the champion rope climber of Riverview High!” Penny chuckled, thrusting the oars into her chum’s unwilling hands. “Just hold the dinghy here until I get back.”
“Which shouldn’t be long,” Louise said gloomily. “I expect to hear your splash any minute now.”