It was a powerful blow and well nigh knocked all the wind right out of Fred’s body. “Ugh!” he groaned and sank from sight.
George turned in alarm to see who it was that had been on the receiving end of his effort and was just in time to see Fred reappear puffing and gasping. This sight seemed to tickle George immensely and he began to laugh. Fred choked and gargled and wheezed and try as he would, George could not control his laughter.
Meanwhile the other six contestants were far ahead and one glance convinced George that he and Fred were hopelessly out of the race.
“What’s the matter with you?” exclaimed Fred angrily.
“I didn’t mean to kick you,” said George, and once more he burst into loud and uncontrollable laughter.
“I’m not talking about that,” cried Fred even more aroused by the spectacle of his friend’s mirth. “Why did you drop out of the race?”
“I got laughing so when I saw your face that I forgot all about the race and everything else. I never saw such a funny sight in all my life.”
“Huh,” snorted Fred. “You’re a nice one. We’ll probably lose the meet on account of you.”
“I couldn’t help it,” cried George, and once more he began to laugh. “I just started laughing and I couldn’t stop.”
“Come ashore before you drown, you idiot!” exclaimed Fred, and side by side they made their way to land.