“‘You’ve run away, you blackguard!’ he said, giving me a box on the ear.
“‘No, I haven’t!’ said I angrily, for the box was by no means a light one.
“‘Hark’ee, boy, can you swim?’
“‘Yes,’ said I.
“‘Then do it!’ and seizing me by my trousers and the nape of my neck, he tossed me over the side into the sea. The fellows in the boats at the end of the pier backed their oars on seeing this; but observing that I could swim, they allowed me to make the best of my way to the pier-head.—So you see, Ralph, that I really did swim my first homeward voyage.”
Jack laughed, and patted Peterkin on the shoulder.
“But tell us about the candle-nut tree,” said I. “You were talking about it.”
“Very true,” said Jack; “but I fear I can remember little about it. I believe the nut is about the size of a walnut; and I think that the leaves are white, but I am not sure.”
“Eh! ha! hum!” exclaimed Peterkin; “I saw a tree answering to that description this very day.”
“Did you?” cried Jack. “Is it far from this?”