"He is safe," shouted half a dozen voices, and the welkin rang with cheer after cheer.
"There, young man, better not try that again," said the gentleman on the shore, as Nat swum around in that direction.
"That was more than three rods," said Frank.
"And more than four," added Charlie. "You beat yourself this time, Nat. You never swam so far under water before. We thought you were drowned."
"There is no use in trying to beat you," continued Frank. "If you had gills you would be a regular fish."
Everybody in the village heard of Nat's swimming feats under water, as well as on the water, and it was not unusual for spectators to assemble on the shore, when they knew that he was going to bathe.
Not far from this time, a little later in the year perhaps, there was to be a special game of ball on Saturday afternoon. Ball-playing was one of the favorite games with the boys, and some of them were remarkable players. When the time arrived it was decided that John and Charlie should choose sides, and it fell to the latter to make the first choice.
"I choose Nat," said he.
"I'll take Frank," said John.
It was usually the case that Nat and Frank were pitted against each other in this amusement. Nat was considered the best player, so that he was usually the first choice. Frank stood next, so that he was the second choice. In this way they generally found themselves playing against each other. It was so on this occasion.