Hetty went into the house.
"He's going to pay me the half day's wages," thought Jim, as at Bramwell's bidding he rose from the ground and crossed over to Boland's Ait. Bramwell led the way to the canal side of the islet.
"How much did you claim from that lady?" asked Bramwell, who knew nothing of the justness of the demand.
"Two shillings, fairly earned and fairly due," answered Jim, his heart expanding under the hope of tanners. "You will not keep a poor working man out of his own?"
"I'll pay you. But first you must answer me one question: Can you swim?" He took a two-shilling piece out of his pocket.
"I can, sir," said Jim eagerly. "I can do almost anything."
Bramwell flung the coin across the canal to the tow-path, crying, "Then swim for that."
"But, sir----"
"In you go, clothes and all, and if ever I find you here again I'll hand you over to your friends the police. Don't keep standing there, or I'll heave you in. Do as you are told, sir. The washing and cooling will do you good."
And seeing there was no chance of escape, and fearing some one might come by and steal the coin, Red Jim dived into the dark turbid waters and crossed to the opposite shore.