He was running toward Warren." A silence followed.

Then-- "You've never learned to swim, Clausen ?" "No, sir." "But it is the rule that no boy is allowed on the river who can not swim.

How is that ?" "I--I said I could, sir." "Humph! Your lie came near to costing you dear, Clausen." Then no more was said in the boat until the float was reached, although each occupant was busy with his thoughts.

Clausen was helped, pale and shaking, to his room, and West and Joel, accompanied by several of their schoolmates, trotted away to the gymnasium, where Joel was put through an invigorating bath and a subsequent rubbing that left him none the worse for his adventure.

The story had to be told over and over to each new group that came in after practice, and finally the two friends escaped to West's room, where they discussed the affair from the view-point of participants.
"When I got back to the bluff with the other fellows you weren't to be seen, Joel," West was saying, "and I thought it was all up with poor old Joel March." "That's just what I thought a bit later," responded Joel, "when that fellow had me round the neck and was trying to show me the bottom of the river." "And then, when they brought you in, Whipple and Christie, and you were all white and--and ghastly like, you know"-- Outfield West whistled long and expressively--"then I thought you _were_ a goner." Joel nodded.