Mr. Brown was obliged to admit that it was not.
"And you, Kirk, don't you think you started the boat off in a little more lively fashion than usual?"
"Yes, sir," returned Talbot, glibly.
"Therefore my nephew got an unexpected lurch, and the mishap followed as a natural consequence. The boys may have been a trifle too exuberant, but they meant no harm."
"I think so, myself, now," exclaimed the elder Brown, a short, stocky man, with red hair and moustache. "I reckon, Douglass, they have told the truth. What do you think, Ben, and you, Sam?" he added, addressing the witnesses.
"I can't say for certain," replied Ben; "all I know is that this young chap," pointing at Nat, "was yelling like mad, when that 'ere boat of his'n suddenly went bang into the canoe. The next thing I see was Douglass a-swimming. 'Tain't in my nature to say a man done a thing like that a-purpose."
Ben, a tall, thin man, with angular features, reflected a moment before adding: "I don't know but what that idea may be right, only sich things ought never to happen. My darter was with Douglass, and she was nigh scared into fits."
"We all, of course, deeply regret what has occurred," put in Mr. Wingate, with an affable smile. "Your clothes, Mr. Brown, no doubt suffered to some extent. If you will kindly name—"
He paused, the justice of the peace having entered.
The latter was an elderly, gray-bearded man, who seemed to feel the importance of his position.