I looked the duke over with a critical eye.
"Yes," I said; "I'll risk it."
"Well, let's put it to him," said Tommy. "Look here, my friend, if you're so cocksure I can't land you, what d'you say to my having a shot at it?"
The duke glanced suspiciously round the circle.
"Wot do I get out of it?" he demanded.
"You get out of going to quod," replied Tommy. "Whatever happens, we'll land you on the bank afterwards and let you clear off. That's a bargain."
"And what's more," I put in, "I'll lay you a pound to nothing that you don't break the line.
"Ye might make it a couple o' quid, guv'nor," observed his grace pathetically. "It's worth that to 'ave a damn great salmon 'ook shoved in yer."
There was a roar of laughter from all three of us.
"Well, he's a sportsman," I said, "whatever else he is." Then, turning to the duke, I explained that the performance would not be of quite such a realistic nature as he imagined. "We'll lend you a belt," I said, "and fasten the line to that. Then all you'll have to do will be to dive in and see if you can get clear."