"If I had my clothes off," said Ford, "I'd try that on."
"Dab Kinzer, you's de best feller dar is. Wot'll we do wid de ole boat?" burst out Dick on coming to the surface.
"Let the tide carry her in while we're crabbing. She isn't worth mending, but we'll tow her home."
"All right," said Dick, as he grasped the gun-wale of Dab's boat and began to climb over.
"Hold on, Dick."
"I is a-holdin' on."
"I mean wait a bit. Aint you wet?"
"Ob course I's wet."
"Well, then, you stay in there till you get dry. It's well you didn't have your new clothes on."
"Aint I glad about dem!" emphatically exclaimed the young African. "Nebber mind dese clo'es. De water on 'em's all good, dry water, like de res' ob de bay."