第7章
Itshowsyouwhatcanbedonewitheconomyandcare。
GeorgesaiditwasabsurdtohaveonlyfourpotatoesinanIrishstew，sowewashedhalf-a-dozenorsomore，andputtheminwithoutpeeling。Wealsoputinacabbageandabouthalfapeckofpeas。Georgestirreditallup，andthenhesaidthatthereseemedtobealotofroomtospare，soweoverhauledboththehampers，andpickedoutalltheoddsandendsandtheremnants，andaddedthemtothestew。Therewerehalfaporkpieandabitofcoldboiledbaconleft，andweputthemin。ThenGeorgefoundhalfatinofpottedsalmon，andheemptiedthatintothepot。
HesaidthatwastheadvantageofIrishstew：yougotridofsuchalotofthings。Ifishedoutacoupleofeggsthathadgotcracked，andputthosein。Georgesaidtheywouldthickenthegravy。
Iforgettheotheringredients，butIknownothingwaswasted；andI
rememberthat，towardstheend，Montmorency，whohadevincedgreatinterestintheproceedingsthroughout，strolledawaywithanearnestandthoughtfulair，reappearing，afewminutesafterwards，withadeadwater-
ratinhismouth，whichheevidentlywishedtopresentashiscontributiontothedinner；whetherinasarcasticspirit，orwithagenuinedesiretoassist，Icannotsay。
Wehadadiscussionastowhethertheratshouldgoinornot。Harrissaidthathethoughtitwouldbeallright，mixedupwiththeotherthings，andthateverylittlehelped；butGeorgestoodupforprecedent。
Hesaidhehadneverheardofwater-ratsinIrishstew，andhewouldratherbeonthesafeside，andnottryexperiments。
Harrissaid：
"Ifyounevertryanewthing，howcanyoutellwhatit"slike？It"smensuchasyouthathampertheworld"sprogress。ThinkofthemanwhofirsttriedGermansausage！"
Itwasagreatsuccess，thatIrishstew。Idon"tthinkIeverenjoyedamealmore。Therewassomethingsofreshandpiquantaboutit。One"spalategetssotiredoftheoldhackneyedthings：herewasadishwithanewflavour，withatastelikenothingelseonearth。
Anditwasnourishing，too。AsGeorgesaid，therewasgoodstuffinit。
Thepeasandpotatoesmighthavebeenabitsofter，butweallhadgoodteeth，sothatdidnotmattermuch：andasforthegravy，itwasapoem-
alittletoorich，perhaps，foraweakstomach，butnutritious。
Wefinishedupwithteaandcherrytart。Montmorencyhadafightwiththekettleduringtea-time，andcameoffapoorsecond。
Throughoutthetrip，hehadmanifestedgreatcuriosityconcerningthekettle。Hewouldsitandwatchit，asitboiled，withapuzzledexpression，andwouldtryandrouseiteverynowandthenbygrowlingatit。Whenitbegantosplutterandsteam，heregardeditasachallenge，andwouldwanttofightit，only，atthatprecisemoment，someonewouldalwaysdashupandbearoffhispreybeforehecouldgetatit。
To-dayhedeterminedhewouldbebeforehand。Atthefirstsoundthekettlemade，herose，growling，andadvancedtowardsitinathreateningattitude。Itwasonlyalittlekettle，butitwasfullofpluck，anditupandspitathim。
"Ah！wouldye！"growledMontmorency，showinghisteeth；"I"llteachyetocheekahard-working，respectabledog；yemiserable，long-nosed，dirty-
lookingscoundrel，ye。Comeon！"
Andherushedatthatpoorlittlekettle，andseizeditbythespout。
Then，acrosstheeveningstillness，brokeablood-curdlingyelp，andMontmorencylefttheboat，anddidaconstitutionalthreetimesroundtheislandattherateofthirty-fivemilesanhour，stoppingeverynowandthentoburyhisnoseinabitofcoolmud。
FromthatdayMontmorencyregardedthekettlewithamixtureofawe，suspicion，andhate。Wheneverhesawithewouldgrowlandbackatarapidrate，withhistailshutdown，andthemomentitwasputuponthestovehewouldpromptlyclimboutoftheboat，andsitonthebank，tillthewholeteabusinesswasover。
Georgegotouthisbanjoaftersupper，andwantedtoplayit，butHarrisobjected：hesaidhehadgotaheadache，anddidnotfeelstrongenoughtostandit。Georgethoughtthemusicmightdohimgood-saidmusicoftensoothedthenervesandtookawayaheadache；andhetwangedtwoorthreenotes，justtoshowHarriswhatitwaslike。
Harrissaidhewouldratherhavetheheadache。
Georgehasneverlearnedtoplaythebanjotothisday。Hehashadtoomuchall-rounddiscouragementtomeet。Hetriedontwoorthreeevenings，whilewewereuptheriver，togetalittlepractice，butitwasneverasuccess。Harris"slanguageusedtobeenoughtounnerveanyman；addedtowhich，Montmorencywouldsitandhowlsteadily，rightthroughtheperformance。Itwasnotgivingthemanafairchance。
"What"shewanttohowllikethatforwhenI"mplaying？"Georgewouldexclaimindignantly，whiletakingaimathimwithaboot。
"Whatdoyouwanttoplaylikethatforwhenheishowling？"Harriswouldretort，catchingtheboot。"Youlethimalone。Hecan"thelphowling。
He"sgotamusicalear，andyourplayingMAKEShimhowl。"
SoGeorgedeterminedtopostponestudyofthebanjountilhereachedhome。Buthedidnotgetmuchopportunityeventhere。Mrs。P。usedtocomeupandsayshewasverysorry-forherself，shelikedtohearhim-
buttheladyupstairswasinaverydelicatestate，andthedoctorwasafraiditmightinjurethechild。
ThenGeorgetriedtakingitoutwithhimlateatnight，andpractisingroundthesquare。Buttheinhabitantscomplainedtothepoliceaboutit，andawatchwassetforhimonenight，andhewascaptured。Theevidenceagainsthimwasveryclear，andhewasboundovertokeepthepeaceforsixmonths。
Heseemedtoloseheartinthebusinessafterthat。Hedidmakeoneortwofeebleeffortstotakeuptheworkagainwhenthesixmonthshadelapsed，buttherewasalwaysthesamecoldness-thesamewantofsympathyonthepartoftheworldtofightagainst；and，afterawhile，hedespairedaltogether，andadvertisedtheinstrumentforsaleatagreatsacrifice-"ownerhavingnofurtheruseforsame"-andtooktolearningcardtricksinstead。
Itmustbedishearteningworklearningamusicalinstrument。YouwouldthinkthatSociety，foritsownsake，woulddoallitcouldtoassistamantoacquiretheartofplayingamusicalinstrument。Butitdoesn"t！
Iknewayoungfellowonce，whowasstudyingtoplaythebagpipes，andyouwouldbesurprisedattheamountofoppositionhehadtocontendwith。Why，notevenfromthemembersofhisownfamilydidhereceivewhatyoucouldcallactiveencouragement。Hisfatherwasdeadagainstthebusinessfromthebeginning，andspokequiteunfeelinglyonthesubject。
Myfriendusedtogetupearlyinthemorningtopractise，buthehadtogivethatplanup，becauseofhissister。Shewassomewhatreligiouslyinclined，andshesaiditseemedsuchanawfulthingtobeginthedaylikethat。
Sohesatupatnightinstead，andplayedafterthefamilyhadgonetobed，butthatdidnotdo，asitgotthehousesuchabadname。People，goinghomelate，wouldstopoutsidetolisten，andthenputitaboutalloverthetown，thenextmorning，thatafearfulmurderhadbeencommittedatMr。Jefferson"sthenightbefore；andwoulddescribehowtheyhadheardthevictim"sshrieksandthebrutaloathsandcursesofthemurderer，followedbytheprayerformercy，andthelastdyinggurgleofthecorpse。
Sotheylethimpractiseintheday-time，intheback-kitchenwithallthedoorsshut；buthismoresuccessfulpassagescouldgenerallybeheardinthesitting-room，inspiteoftheseprecautions，andwouldaffecthismotheralmosttotears。
Shesaiditputherinmindofherpoorfather（hehadbeenswallowedbyashark，poorman，whilebathingoffthecoastofNewGuinea-wheretheconnectioncamein，shecouldnotexplain）。
Thentheyknockedupalittleplaceforhimatthebottomofthegarden，aboutquarterofamilefromthehouse，andmadehimtakethemachinedowntherewhenhewantedtoworkit；andsometimesavisitorwouldcometothehousewhoknewnothingofthematter，andtheywouldforgettotellhimallaboutit，andcautionhim，andhewouldgooutforastrollroundthegardenandsuddenlygetwithinearshotofthosebagpipes，withoutbeingpreparedforit，orknowingwhatitwas。Ifhewereamanofstrongmind，itonlygavehimfits；butapersonofmereaverageintellectitusuallysentmad。
Thereis，itmustbeconfessed，somethingverysadabouttheearlyeffortsofanamateurinbagpipes。Ihavefeltthatmyselfwhenlisteningtomyyoungfriend。Theyappeartobeatryinginstrumenttoperformupon。Youhavetogetenoughbreathforthewholetunebeforeyoustart-atleast，soIgatheredfromwatchingJefferson。
Hewouldbeginmagnificentlywithawild，full，come-to-the-battlesortofanote，thatquiterousedyou。Buthewouldgetmoreandmorepianoashewenton，andthelastversegenerallycollapsedinthemiddlewithasplutterandahiss。
Youwanttobeingoodhealthtoplaythebagpipes。
YoungJeffersononlylearnttoplayonetuneonthosebagpipes；butI
neverheardanycomplaintsabouttheinsufficiencyofhisrepertoire-
nonewhatever。Thistunewas"TheCampbellsareComing，Hooray-
Hooray！"sohesaid，thoughhisfatheralwaysheldthatitwas"TheBlueBellsofScotland。"Nobodyseemedquitesurewhatitwasexactly，buttheyallagreedthatitsoundedScotch。
Strangerswereallowedthreeguesses，andmostofthemguessedadifferenttuneeachtime。
Harriswasdisagreeableaftersupper，-Ithinkitmusthavebeenthestewthathadupsethim：heisnotusedtohighliving，-soGeorgeandI
lefthimintheboat，andsettledtogoforamouchroundHenley。Hesaidheshouldhaveaglassofwhiskyandapipe，andfixthingsupforthenight。Weweretoshoutwhenwereturned，andhewouldrowoverfromtheislandandfetchus。
"Don"tgotosleep，oldman，"wesaidaswestarted。
"Notmuchfearofthatwhilethisstew"son，"hegrunted，ashepulledbacktotheisland。
Henleywasgettingreadyfortheregatta，andwasfullofbustle。Wemetagoodishnumberofmenweknewaboutthetown，andintheirpleasantcompanythetimeslippedbysomewhatquickly；sothatitwasnearlyeleveno"clockbeforewesetoffonourfour-milewalkhome-aswehadlearnedtocallourlittlecraftbythistime。
Itwasadismalnight，coldish，withathinrainfalling；andaswetrudgedthroughthedark，silentfields，talkinglowtoeachother，andwonderingifweweregoingrightornot，wethoughtofthecosyboat，withthebrightlightstreamingthroughthetight-drawncanvas；ofHarrisandMontmorency，andthewhisky，andwishedthatwewerethere。
Weconjuredupthepictureofourselvesinside，tiredandalittlehungry；ofthegloomyriverandtheshapelesstrees；and，likeagiantglow-wormunderneaththem，ourdearoldboat，sosnugandwarmandcheerful。Wecouldseeourselvesatsupperthere，peckingawayatcoldmeat，andpassingeachotherchunksofbread；wecouldhearthecheeryclatterofourknives，thelaughingvoices，fillingallthespace，andoverflowingthroughtheopeningoutintothenight。Andwehurriedontorealisethevision。
Westruckthetow-pathatlength，andthatmadeushappy；becausepriortothiswehadnotbeensurewhetherwewerewalkingtowardstheriverorawayfromit，andwhenyouaretiredandwanttogotobeduncertaintieslikethatworryyou。WepassedSkiplakeastheclockwasstrikingthequartertotwelve；andthenGeorgesaid，thoughtfully：
"Youdon"thappentorememberwhichoftheislandsitwas，doyou？"
"No，"Ireplied，beginningtogrowthoughtfultoo，"Idon"t。Howmanyarethere？"
"Onlyfour，"answeredGeorge。"Itwillbeallright，ifhe"sawake。"
"Andifnot？"Iqueried；butwedismissedthattrainofthought。
Weshoutedwhenwecameoppositethefirstisland，buttherewasnoresponse；sowewenttothesecond，andtriedthere，andobtainedthesameresult。
"Oh！Iremembernow，"saidGeorge；"itwasthethirdone。"
Andweranonhopefullytothethirdone，andhallooed。
Noanswer！
Thecasewasbecomingserious。itwasnowpastmidnight。ThehotelsatSkiplakeandHenleywouldbecrammed；andwecouldnotgoround，knockingupcottagersandhouseholdersinthemiddleofthenight，toknowiftheyletapartments！GeorgesuggestedwalkingbacktoHenleyandassaultingapoliceman，andsogettinganight"slodginginthestation-house。Butthentherewasthethought，"Supposeheonlyhitsusbackandrefusestolockusup！"
Wecouldnotpassthewholenightfightingpolicemen。Besides，wedidnotwanttooverdothethingandgetsixmonths。
Wedespairinglytriedwhatseemedinthedarknesstobethefourthisland，butmetwithnobettersuccess。Therainwascomingdownfastnow，andevidentlymeanttolast。Wewerewettotheskin，andcoldandmiserable。Webegantowonderwhethertherewereonlyfourislandsormore，orwhetherwewereneartheislandsatall，orwhetherwewereanywherewithinamileofwhereweoughttobe，orinthewrongpartoftheriveraltogether；everythinglookedsostrangeanddifferentinthedarkness。WebegantounderstandthesufferingsoftheBabesintheWood。
Justwhenwehadgivenupallhope-yes，Iknowthatisalwaysthetimethatthingsdohappeninnovelsandtales；butIcan"thelpit。I
resolved，whenIbegantowritethisbook，thatIwouldbestrictlytruthfulinallthings；andsoIwillbe，evenifIhavetoemployhackneyedphrasesforthepurpose。
ItWASjustwhenwehadgivenupallhope，andImustthereforesayso。
Justwhenwehadgivenupallhope，then，Isuddenlycaughtsight，alittlewaybelowus，ofastrange，weirdsortofglimmerflickeringamongthetreesontheoppositebank。ForaninstantIthoughtofghosts：itwassuchashadowy，mysteriouslight。Thenextmomentitflashedacrossmethatitwasourboat，andIsentupsuchayellacrossthewaterthatmadethenightseemtoshakeinitsbed。
Wewaitedbreathlessforaminute，andthen-oh！divinestmusicofthedarkness！-weheardtheansweringbarkofMontmorency。WeshoutedbackloudenoughtowaketheSevenSleepers-Inevercouldunderstandmyselfwhyitshouldtakemorenoisetowakesevensleepersthanone-and，afterwhatseemedanhour，butwhatwasreally，Isuppose，aboutfiveminutes，wesawthelightedboatcreepingslowlyovertheblackness，andheardHarris"ssleepyvoiceaskingwherewewere。
TherewasanunaccountablestrangenessaboutHarris。Itwassomethingmorethanmereordinarytiredness。Hepulledtheboatagainstapartofthebankfromwhichitwasquiteimpossibleforustogetintoit，andimmediatelywenttosleep。Ittookusanimmenseamountofscreamingandroaringtowakehimupagainandputsomesenseintohim；butwesucceededatlast，andgotsafelyonboard。
Harrishadasadexpressiononhim，sowenoticed，whenwegotintotheboat。Hegaveyoutheideaofamanwhohadbeenthroughtrouble。Weaskedhimifanythinghadhappened，andhesaid-
"Swans！"
Itseemedwehadmooredclosetoaswan"snest，and，soonafterGeorgeandIhadgone，thefemaleswancameback，andkickeduparowaboutit。
Harrishadchiviedheroff，andshehadgoneaway，andfetchedupheroldman。Harrissaidhehadhadquiteafightwiththesetwoswans；butcourageandskillhadprevailedintheend，andhehaddefeatedthem。
Half-an-hourafterwardstheyreturnedwitheighteenotherswans！Itmusthavebeenafearfulbattle，sofaraswecouldunderstandHarris"saccountofit。TheswanshadtriedtodraghimandMontmorencyoutoftheboatanddrownthem；andhehaddefendedhimselflikeaheroforfourhours，andhadkilledthelot，andtheyhadallpaddledawaytodie。
"Howmanyswansdidyousaytherewere？"askedGeorge。
"Thirty-two，"repliedHarris，sleepily。
"Yousaideighteenjustnow，"saidGeorge。
"No，Ididn"t，"gruntedHarris；"Isaidtwelve。ThinkIcan"tcount？"
Whatweretherealfactsabouttheseswansweneverfoundout。WequestionedHarrisonthesubjectinthemorning，andhesaid，"Whatswans？"andseemedtothinkthatGeorgeandIhadbeendreaming。
Oh，howdelightfulitwastobesafeintheboat，afterourtrialsandfears！Weateaheartysupper，GeorgeandI，andweshouldhavehadsometoddyafterit，ifwecouldhavefoundthewhisky，butwecouldnot。WeexaminedHarrisastowhathehaddonewithit；buthedidnotseemtoknowwhatwemeantby"whisky，"orwhatweweretalkingaboutatall。
Montmorencylookedasifheknewsomething，butsaidnothing。
Isleptwellthatnight，andshouldhavesleptbetterifithadnotbeenforHarris。IhaveavaguerecollectionofhavingbeenwokeupatleastadozentimesduringthenightbyHarriswanderingabouttheboatwiththelantern，lookingforhisclothes。Heseemedtobeworryingabouthisclothesallnight。
TwiceheroutedupGeorgeandmyselftoseeifwewerelyingonhistrousers。Georgegotquitewildthesecondtime。
"Whatthethunderdoyouwantyourtrousersfor，inthemiddleofthenight？"heaskedindignantly。"Whydon"tyouliedown，andgotosleep？"
Ifoundhimintrouble，thenexttimeIawoke，becausehecouldnotfindhissocks；andmylasthazyremembranceisofbeingrolledoveronmyside，andofhearingHarrismutteringsomethingaboutitsbeinganextraordinarythingwherehisumbrellacouldhavegotto。
CHAPTERXV。
HOUSEHOLDDUTIES-LOVEOFWORK-THEOLDRIVERHAND，WHATHEDOESAND
WHATHETELLSYOUHEHASDONE-SCEPTICISMOFTHENEWGENERATION-
EARLYBOATINGRECOLLECTIONS-RAFTING-GEORGEDOESTHETHINGINSTYLE-
THEOLDBOATMAN，HISMETHOD-SOCALM，SOFULLOFPEACE-THE
BEGINNER-PUNTING-ASADACCIDENT-PLEASURESOFFRIENDSHIP-
SAILING，MYFIRSTEXPERIENCE-POSSIBLEREASONWHYWEWERENOTDROWNED。
WEwokelatethenextmorning，and，atHarris"searnestdesire，partookofaplainbreakfast，with"nondainties。"Thenwecleanedup，andputeverythingstraight（acontinuallabour，whichwasbeginningtoaffordmeaprettyclearinsightintoaquestionthathadoftenposedme-namely，howawomanwiththeworkofonlyonehouseonherhandsmanagestopassawayhertime），and，ataboutten，setoutonwhatwehaddeterminedshouldbeagoodday"sjourney。
Weagreedthatwewouldpullthismorning，asachangefromtowing；andHarristhoughtthebestarrangementwouldbethatGeorgeandIshouldscull，andhesteer。Ididnotchimeinwiththisideaatall；IsaidI
thoughtHarriswouldhavebeenshowingamoreproperspiritifhehadsuggestedthatheandGeorgeshouldwork，andletmerestabit。ItseemedtomethatIwasdoingmorethanmyfairshareoftheworkonthistrip，andIwasbeginningtofeelstronglyonthesubject。
ItalwaysdoesseemtomethatIamdoingmoreworkthanIshoulddo。ItisnotthatIobjecttothework，mindyou；Ilikework：itfascinatesme。Icansitandlookatitforhours。Ilovetokeepitbyme：theideaofgettingridofitnearlybreaksmyheart。
Youcannotgivemetoomuchwork；toaccumulateworkhasalmostbecomeapassionwithme：mystudyissofullofitnow，thatthereishardlyaninchofroomforanymore。Ishallhavetothrowoutawingsoon。
AndIamcarefulofmywork，too。Why，someoftheworkthatIhavebymenowhasbeeninmypossessionforyearsandyears，andthereisn"tafinger-markonit。Itakeagreatprideinmywork；Itakeitdownnowandthenanddustit。NomankeepshisworkinabetterstateofpreservationthanIdo。
But，thoughIcraveforwork，Istillliketobefair。Idonotaskformorethanmypropershare。
ButIgetitwithoutaskingforit-atleast，soitappearstome-andthisworriesme。
GeorgesayshedoesnotthinkIneedtroublemyselfonthesubject。Hethinksitisonlymyover-scrupulousnaturethatmakesmefearIamhavingmorethanmydue；andthat，asamatteroffact，Idon"thavehalfasmuchasIought。ButIexpectheonlysaysthistocomfortme。
Inaboat，Ihavealwaysnoticedthatitisthefixedideaofeachmemberofthecrewthatheisdoingeverything。Harris"snotionwas，thatitwashealonewhohadbeenworking，andthatbothGeorgeandIhadbeenimposinguponhim。George，ontheotherhand，ridiculedtheideaofHarris"shavingdoneanythingmorethaneatandsleep，andhadacast-
ironopinionthatitwashe-Georgehimself-whohaddoneallthelabourworthspeakingof。
HesaidhehadneverbeenoutwithsuchacoupleoflazilyskulksasHarrisandI。
ThatamusedHarris。
"FancyoldGeorgetalkingaboutwork！"helaughed；"why，abouthalf-an-
hourofitwouldkillhim。HaveyoueverseenGeorgework？"headded，turningtome。
IagreedwithHarristhatIneverhad-mostcertainlynotsincewehadstartedonthistrip。
"Well，Idon"tseehowYOUcanknowmuchaboutit，onewayortheother，"
GeorgeretortedonHarris；"forI"mblestifyouhaven"tbeenasleephalfthetime。HaveyoueverseenHarrisfullyawake，exceptatmeal-time？"
askedGeorge，addressingme。
TruthcompelledmetosupportGeorge。Harrishadbeenverylittlegoodintheboat，sofarashelpingwasconcerned，fromthebeginning。
"Well，hangitall，I"vedonemorethanoldJ。，anyhow，"rejoinedHarris。
"Well，youcouldn"tverywellhavedoneless，"addedGeorge。
"IsupposeJ。thinksheisthepassenger，"continuedHarris。
AndthatwastheirgratitudetomeforhavingbroughtthemandtheirwretchedoldboatallthewayupfromKingston，andforhavingsuperintendedandmanagedeverythingforthem，andtakencareofthem，andslavedforthem。Itisthewayoftheworld。
WesettledthepresentdifficultybyarrangingthatHarrisandGeorgeshouldsculluppastReading，andthatIshouldtowtheboatonfromthere。Pullingaheavyboatagainstastrongstreamhasfewattractionsformenow。Therewasatime，longago，whenIusedtoclamourforthehardwork：nowIliketogivetheyoungstersachance。
Inoticethatmostoftheoldriverhandsaresimilarlyretiring，wheneverthereisanystiffpullingtobedone。Youcanalwaystelltheoldriverhandbythewayinwhichhestretcheshimselfoutuponthecushionsatthebottomoftheboat，andencouragestherowersbytellingthemanecdotesaboutthemarvellousfeatsheperformedlastseason。
"Callwhatyou"redoinghardwork！"hedrawls，betweenhiscontentedwhiffs，addressingthetwoperspiringnovices，whohavebeengrindingawaysteadilyupstreamforthelasthourandahalf；"why，JimBifflesandJackandI，lastseason，pulledupfromMarlowtoGoringinoneafternoon-neverstoppedonce。Doyourememberthat，Jack？"
Jack，whohasmadehimselfabedupintheprowofalltherugsandcoatshecancollect，andwhohasbeenlyingthereasleepforthelasttwohours，partiallywakesuponbeingthusappealedto，andrecollectsallaboutthematter，andalsoremembersthattherewasanunusuallystrongstreamagainstthemalltheway-likewiseastiffwind。
"Aboutthirty-fourmiles，Isuppose，itmusthavebeen，"addsthefirstspeaker，reachingdownanothercushiontoputunderhishead。
"No-no；don"texaggerate，Tom，"murmursJack，reprovingly；"thirty-
threeattheoutside。"
AndJackandTom，quiteexhaustedbythisconversationaleffort，dropofftosleeponcemore。Andthetwosimple-mindedyoungstersatthescullsfeelquiteproudofbeingallowedtorowsuchwonderfuloarsmenasJackandTom，andstrainawayharderthanever。
WhenIwasayoungman，Iusedtolistentothesetalesfrommyelders，andtakethemin，andswallowthem，anddigesteverywordofthem，andthencomeupformore；butthenewgenerationdonotseemtohavethesimplefaithoftheoldtimes。We-George，Harris，andmyself-tooka"raw"un"upwithusoncelastseason，andwepliedhimwiththecustomarystretchersaboutthewonderfulthingswehaddoneallthewayup。
Wegavehimalltheregularones-thetime-honouredliesthathavedonedutyuptheriverwitheveryboating-manforyearspast-andaddedsevenentirelyoriginalonesthatwehadinventedforourselves，includingareallyquitelikelystory，founded，toacertainextent，onanallbuttrueepisode，whichhadactuallyhappenedinamodifieddegreesomeyearsagotofriendsofours-astorythatamerechildcouldhavebelievedwithoutinjuringitself，much。
Andthatyoungmanmockedatthemall，andwantedustorepeatthefeatsthenandthere，andtobetustentoonethatwedidn"t。
Wegottochattingaboutourrowingexperiencesthismorning，andtorecountingstoriesofourfirsteffortsintheartofoarsmanship。MyownearliestboatingrecollectionisoffiveofuscontributingthreepenceeachandtakingoutacuriouslyconstructedcraftontheRegent"sParklake，dryingourselvessubsequently，inthepark-keeper"slodge。
Afterthat，havingacquiredatasteforthewater，Ididagooddealofraftinginvarioussuburbanbrickfields-anexerciseprovidingmoreinterestandexcitementthanmightbeimagined，especiallywhenyouareinthemiddleofthepondandtheproprietorofthematerialsofwhichtheraftisconstructedsuddenlyappearsonthebank，withabigstickinhishand。
Yourfirstsensationonseeingthisgentlemanisthat，somehoworother，youdon"tfeelequaltocompanyandconversation，andthat，ifyoucoulddosowithoutappearingrude，youwouldratheravoidmeetinghim；andyourobjectis，therefore，togetoffontheoppositesideofthepondtowhichheis，andtogohomequietlyandquickly，pretendingnottoseehim。He，onthecontraryisyearningtotakeyoubythehand，andtalktoyou。
Itappearsthatheknowsyourfather，andisintimatelyacquaintedwithyourself，butthisdoesnotdrawyoutowardshim。Hesayshe"llteachyoutotakehisboardsandmakearaftofthem；but，seeingthatyouknowhowtodothisprettywellalready，theoffer，thoughdoubtlesskindlymeant，seemsasuperfluousoneonhispart，andyouarereluctanttoputhimtoanytroublebyacceptingit。
Hisanxietytomeetyou，however，isproofagainstallyourcoolness，andtheenergeticmannerinwhichhedodgesupanddownthepondsoastobeonthespottogreetyouwhenyoulandisreallyquiteflattering。
Ifhebeofastoutandshort-windedbuild，youcaneasilyavoidhisadvances；but，whenheisoftheyouthfulandlong-leggedtype，ameetingisinevitable。Theinterviewis，however，extremelybrief，mostoftheconversationbeingonhispart，yourremarksbeingmostlyofanexclamatoryandmono-syllabicorder，andassoonasyoucantearyourselfawayyoudoso。
Idevotedsomethreemonthstorafting，and，beingthenasproficientastherewasanyneedtobeatthatbranchoftheart，Ideterminedtogoinforrowingproper，andjoinedoneoftheLeaboatingclubs。
BeingoutinaboatontheriverLea，especiallyonSaturdayafternoons，soonmakesyousmartathandlingacraft，andspryatescapingbeingrundownbyroughsorswampedbybarges；anditalsoaffordsplentyofopportunityforacquiringthemostpromptandgracefulmethodoflyingdownflatatthebottomoftheboatsoastoavoidbeingchuckedoutintotheriverbypassingtow-lines。
Butitdoesnotgiveyoustyle。ItwasnottillIcametotheThamesthatIgotstyle。Mystyleofrowingisverymuchadmirednow。Peoplesayitissoquaint。
Georgeneverwentnearthewateruntilhewassixteen。ThenheandeightothergentlemenofaboutthesameagewentdowninabodytoKewoneSaturday，withtheideaofhiringaboatthere，andpullingtoRichmondandback；oneoftheirnumber，ashock-headedyouth，namedJoskins，whohadonceortwicetakenoutaboatontheSerpentine，toldthemitwasjollyfun，boating！
Thetidewasrunningoutprettyrapidlywhentheyreachedthelanding-
stage，andtherewasastiffbreezeblowingacrosstheriver，butthisdidnottroublethematall，andtheyproceededtoselecttheirboat。
Therewasaneight-oaredracingoutriggerdrawnuponthestage；thatwastheonethattooktheirfancy。Theysaidthey"dhavethatone，please。
Theboatmanwasaway，andonlyhisboywasincharge。Theboytriedtodamptheirardourfortheoutrigger，andshowedthemtwoorthreeverycomfortable-lookingboatsofthefamily-partybuild，butthosewouldnotdoatall；theoutriggerwastheboattheythoughttheywouldlookbestin。
Sotheboylaunchedit，andtheytookofftheircoatsandpreparedtotaketheirseats。TheboysuggestedthatGeorge，who，eveninthosedays，wasalwaystheheavymanofanyparty，shouldbenumberfour。
Georgesaidheshouldbehappytobenumberfour，andpromptlysteppedintobow"splace，andsatdownwithhisbacktothestern。Theygothimintohisproperpositionatlast，andthentheothersfollowed。
Aparticularlynervousboywasappointedcox，andthesteeringprincipleexplainedtohimbyJoskins。Joskinshimselftookstroke。Hetoldtheothersthatitwassimpleenough；alltheyhadtodowastofollowhim。
Theysaidtheywereready，andtheboyonthelandingstagetookaboat-
hookandshovedhimoff。
WhatthenfollowedGeorgeisunabletodescribeindetail。Hehasaconfusedrecollectionofhaving，immediatelyonstarting，receivedaviolentblowinthesmallofthebackfromthebutt-endofnumberfive"sscull，atthesametimethathisownseatseemedtodisappearfromunderhimbymagic，andleavehimsittingontheboards。Healsonoticed，asacuriouscircumstance，thatnumbertwowasatthesameinstantlyingonhisbackatthebottomoftheboat，withhislegsintheair，apparentlyinafit。
TheypassedunderKewBridge，broadside，attherateofeightmilesanhour。Joskinsbeingtheonlyonewhowasrowing。George，onrecoveringhisseat，triedtohelphim，but，ondippinghisoarintothewater，itimmediately，tohisintensesurprise，disappearedundertheboat，andnearlytookhimwithit。
Andthen"cox"threwbothrudderlinesover-board，andburstintotears。
HowtheygotbackGeorgeneverknew，butittookthemjustfortyminutes。
AdensecrowdwatchedtheentertainmentfromKewBridgewithmuchinterest，andeverybodyshoutedouttothemdifferentdirections。Threetimestheymanagedtogettheboatbackthroughthearch，andthreetimestheywerecarriedunderitagain，andeverytime"cox"lookedupandsawthebridgeabovehimhebrokeoutintorenewedsobs。
Georgesaidhelittlethoughtthatafternoonthatheshouldevercometoreallylikeboating。
Harrisismoreaccustomedtosearowingthantoriverwork，andsaysthat，asanexercise，heprefersit。Idon"t。IremembertakingasmallboatoutatEastbournelastsummer：Iusedtodoagooddealofsearowingyearsago，andIthoughtIshouldbeallright；butIfoundIhadforgottentheartentirely。Whenonescullwasdeepdownunderneaththewater，theotherwouldbeflourishingwildlyaboutintheair。TogetagripofthewaterwithbothatthesametimeIhadtostandup。Theparadewascrowdedwithnobilityandgentry，andIhadtopullpasttheminthisridiculousfashion。Ilandedhalf-waydownthebeach，andsecuredtheservicesofanoldboatmantotakemeback。
Iliketowatchanoldboatmanrowing，especiallyonewhohasbeenhiredbythehour。Thereissomethingsobeautifullycalmandrestfulabouthismethod。Itissofreefromthatfretfulhaste，thatvehementstriving，thatiseverydaybecomingmoreandmorethebaneofnineteenth-centurylife。Heisnotforeverstraininghimselftopassalltheotherboats。Ifanotherboatovertakeshimandpasseshimitdoesnotannoyhim；asamatteroffact，theyalldoovertakehimandpasshim-allthosethataregoinghisway。Thiswouldtroubleandirritatesomepeople；thesublimeequanimityofthehiredboatmanundertheordealaffordsusabeautifullessonagainstambitionanduppishness。
Plainpracticalrowingoftheget-the-boat-alongorderisnotaverydifficultarttoacquire，butittakesagooddealofpracticebeforeamanfeelscomfortable，whenrowingpastgirls。Itisthe"time"thatworriesayoungster。"It"sjollyfunny，"hesays，asforthetwentiethtimewithinfiveminuteshedisentangleshisscullsfromyours；"IcangetonallrightwhenI"mbymyself！"
Toseetwonovicestrytokeeptimewithoneanotherisveryamusing。
Bowfindsitimpossibletokeeppacewithstroke，becausestrokerowsinsuchanextraordinaryfashion。Strokeisintenselyindignantatthis，andexplainsthatwhathehasbeenendeavouringtodoforthelasttenminutesistoadapthismethodtobow"slimitedcapacity。Bow，inturn，thenbecomesinsulted，andrequestsstrokenottotroublehisheadabouthim（bow），buttodevotehismindtosettingasensiblestroke。
"Or，shallItakestroke？"headds，withtheevidentideathatthatwouldatonceputthewholematterright。
Theysplashalongforanotherhundredyardswithstillmoderatesuccess，andthenthewholesecretoftheirtroubleburstsuponstrokelikeaflashofinspiration。
"Itellyouwhatitis：you"vegotmysculls，"hecries，turningtobow；
"passyoursover。"
"Well，doyouknow，I"vebeenwonderinghowitwasIcouldn"tgetonwiththese，"answersbow，quitebrighteningup，andmostwillinglyassistingintheexchange。"NOWweshallbeallright。"
Buttheyarenot-noteventhen。Strokehastostretchhisarmsnearlyoutoftheirsocketstoreachhisscullsnow；whilebow"spair，ateachrecovery，hithimaviolentblowinthechest。Sotheychangebackagain，andcometotheconclusionthatthemanhasgiventhemthewrongsetaltogether；andovertheirmutualabuseofthismantheybecomequitefriendlyandsympathetic。
Georgesaidhehadoftenlongedtotaketopuntingforachange。Puntingisnotaseasyasitlooks。Asinrowing，yousoonlearnhowtogetalongandhandlethecraft，butittakeslongpracticebeforeyoucandothiswithdignityandwithoutgettingthewaterallupyoursleeve。
OneyoungmanIknewhadaverysadaccidenthappentohimthefirsttimehewentpunting。Hehadbeengettingonsowellthathehadgrownquitecheekyoverthebusiness，andwaswalkingupanddownthepunt，workinghispolewithacarelessgracethatwasquitefascinatingtowatch。Uphewouldmarchtotheheadofthepunt，planthispole，andthenrunalongrighttotheotherend，justlikeanoldpunter。Oh！itwasgrand。
Anditwouldallhavegoneonbeinggrandifhehadnotunfortunately，whilelookingroundtoenjoythescenery，takenjustonestepmorethantherewasanynecessityfor，andwalkedoffthepuntaltogether。Thepolewasfirmlyfixedinthemud，andhewasleftclingingtoitwhilethepuntdriftedaway。Itwasanundignifiedpositionforhim。Arudeboyonthebankimmediatelyyelledouttoalaggingchumto"hurryupandseerealmonkeyonastick。"
Icouldnotgotohisassistance，because，asill-luckwouldhaveit，wehadnottakentheproperprecautiontobringoutasparepolewithus。I
couldonlysitandlookathim。HisexpressionasthepoleslowlysankwithhimIshallneverforget；therewassomuchthoughtinit。
Iwatchedhimgentlyletdownintothewater，andsawhimscrambleout，sadandwet。Icouldnothelplaughing，helookedsucharidiculousfigure。Icontinuedtochuckletomyselfaboutitforsometime，andthenitwassuddenlyforcedinuponmethatreallyIhadgotverylittletolaughatwhenIcametothinkofit。HerewasI，aloneinapunt，withoutapole，driftinghelplesslydownmid-stream-possiblytowardsaweir。
Ibegantofeelveryindignantwithmyfriendforhavingsteppedoverboardandgoneoffinthatway。Hemight，atallevents，haveleftmethepole。
Idriftedonforaboutaquarterofamile，andthenIcameinsightofafishing-puntmooredinmid-stream，inwhichsattwooldfishermen。Theysawmebearingdownuponthem，andtheycalledouttometokeepoutoftheirway。
"Ican"t，"Ishoutedback。
"Butyoudon"ttry，"theyanswered。
IexplainedthemattertothemwhenIgotnearer，andtheycaughtmeandlentmeapole。Theweirwasjustfiftyyardsbelow。Iamgladtheyhappenedtobethere。
ThefirsttimeIwentpuntingwasincompanywiththreeotherfellows；
theyweregoingtoshowmehowtodoit。Wecouldnotallstarttogether，soIsaidIwouldgodownfirstandgetoutthepunt，andthenIcouldpotteraboutandpracticeabituntiltheycame。
Icouldnotgetapuntoutthatafternoon，theywereallengaged；soI
hadnothingelsetodobuttositdownonthebank，watchingtheriver，andwaitingformyfriends。
Ihadnotbeensittingtherelongbeforemyattentionbecameattractedtoamaninapuntwho，Inoticedwithsomesurprise，woreajacketandcapexactlylikemine。Hewasevidentlyanoviceatpunting，andhisperformancewasmostinteresting。Youneverknewwhatwasgoingtohappenwhenheputthepolein；heevidentlydidnotknowhimself。
Sometimesheshotupstreamandsometimesheshotdownstream，andatothertimeshesimplyspunroundandcameuptheothersideofthepole。
Andwitheveryresultheseemedequallysurprisedandannoyed。
Thepeopleabouttheriverbegantogetquiteabsorbedinhimafterawhile，andtomakebetswithoneanotherastowhatwouldbetheoutcomeofhisnextpush。
Inthecourseoftimemyfriendsarrivedontheoppositebank，andtheystoppedandwatchedhimtoo。Hisbackwastowardsthem，andtheyonlysawhisjacketandcap。FromthistheyimmediatelyjumpedtotheconclusionthatitwasI，theirbelovedcompanion，whowasmakinganexhibitionofhimself，andtheirdelightknewnobounds。Theycommencedtochaffhimunmercifully。
Ididnotgrasptheirmistakeatfirst，andIthought，"Howrudeofthemtogoonlikethat，withaperfectstranger，too！"ButbeforeIcouldcalloutandreprovethem，theexplanationofthematteroccurredtome，andIwithdrewbehindatree。
Oh，howtheyenjoyedthemselves，ridiculingthatyoungman！Forfivegoodminutestheystoodthere，shoutingribaldryathim，deridinghim，mockinghim，jeeringathim。Theypepperedhimwithstalejokes，theyevenmadeafewnewonesandthrewathim。Theyhurledathimalltheprivatefamilyjokesbelongingtoourset，andwhichmusthavebeenperfectlyunintelligibletohim。Andthen，unabletostandtheirbrutaljibesanylonger，heturnedroundonthem，andtheysawhisface！
Iwasgladtonoticethattheyhadsufficientdecencyleftinthemtolookveryfoolish。Theyexplainedtohimthattheyhadthoughthewassomeonetheyknew。Theysaidtheyhopedhewouldnotdeemthemcapableofsoinsultinganyoneexceptapersonalfriendoftheirown。
Ofcoursetheirhavingmistakenhimforafriendexcusedit。IrememberHarristellingmeonceofabathingexperiencehehadatBoulogne。Hewasswimmingabouttherenearthebeach，whenhefelthimselfsuddenlyseizedbytheneckfrombehind，andforciblyplungedunderwater。Hestruggledviolently，butwhoeverhadgotholdofhimseemedtobeaperfectHerculesinstrength，andallhiseffortstoescapewereunavailing。Hehadgivenupkicking，andwastryingtoturnhisthoughtsuponsolemnthings，whenhiscaptorreleasedhim。
Heregainedhisfeet，andlookedroundforhiswould-bemurderer。Theassassinwasstandingclosebyhim，laughingheartily，butthemomenthecaughtsightofHarris"sface，asitemergedfromthewater，hestartedbackandseemedquiteconcerned。
"Ireallybegyourpardon，"hestammeredconfusedly，"butItookyouforafriendofmine！"
Harristhoughtitwasluckyforhimthemanhadnotmistakenhimforarelation，orhewouldprobablyhavebeendrownedoutright。
Sailingisathingthatwantsknowledgeandpracticetoo-though，asaboy，Ididnotthinkso。Ihadanideaitcamenaturaltoabody，likeroundersandtouch。Iknewanotherboywhoheldthisviewlikewise，andso，onewindyday，wethoughtwewouldtrythesport。WewerestoppingdownatYarmouth，andwedecidedwewouldgoforatripuptheYare。Wehiredasailingboatattheyardbythebridge，andstartedoff。"It"sratheraroughday，"saidthemantous，asweputoff："bettertakeinareefandluffsharpwhenyougetroundthebend。"
Wesaidwewouldmakeapointofit，andlefthimwithacheery"Good-
morning，"wonderingtoourselveshowyou"luffed，"andwhereweweretogeta"reef"from，andwhatweweretodowithitwhenwehadgotit。
Weroweduntilwewereoutofsightofthetown，andthen，withawidestretchofwaterinfrontofus，andthewindblowingaperfecthurricaneacrossit，wefeltthatthetimehadcometocommenceoperations。
Hector-Ithinkthatwashisname-wentonpullingwhileIunrolledthesail。Itseemedacomplicatedjob，butIaccomplisheditatlength，andthencamethequestion，whichwasthetopend？
Byasortofnaturalinstinct，we，ofcourse，eventuallydecidedthatthebottomwasthetop，andsettoworktofixitupside-down。Butitwasalongtimebeforewecouldgetitup，eitherthatwayoranyotherway。
Theimpressiononthemindofthesailseemedtobethatwewereplayingatfunerals，andthatIwasthecorpseanditselfwasthewinding-sheet。
Whenitfoundthatthiswasnottheidea，ithitmeovertheheadwiththeboom，andrefusedtodoanything。
"Wetit，"saidHector；"dropitoverandgetitwet。"
Hesaidpeopleinshipsalwayswettedthesailsbeforetheyputthemup。
SoIwettedit；butthatonlymademattersworsethantheywerebefore。
Adrysailclingingtoyourlegsandwrappingitselfroundyourheadisnotpleasant，but，whenthesailissoppingwet，itbecomesquitevexing。
Wedidgetthethingupatlast，thetwoofustogether。Wefixedit，notexactlyupsidedown-moresidewayslike-andwetiedituptothemastwiththepainter，whichwecutoffforthepurpose。
ThattheboatdidnotupsetIsimplystateasafact。WhyitdidnotupsetIamunabletoofferanyreason。Ihaveoftenthoughtaboutthemattersince，butIhaveneversucceededinarrivingatanysatisfactoryexplanationofthephenomenon。
Possiblytheresultmayhavebeenbroughtaboutbythenaturalobstinacyofallthingsinthisworld。Theboatmaypossiblyhavecometotheconclusion，judgingfromacursoryviewofourbehaviour，thatwehadcomeoutforamorning"ssuicide，andhadthereupondeterminedtodisappointus。ThatistheonlysuggestionIcanoffer。
Byclinginglikegrimdeathtothegunwale，wejustmanagedtokeepinsidetheboat，butitwasexhaustingwork。Hectorsaidthatpiratesandotherseafaringpeoplegenerallylashedtheruddertosomethingorother，andhauledinthemaintop-jib，duringseveresqualls，andthoughtweoughttotrytodosomethingofthekind；butIwasforlettingherhaveherheadtothewind。
Asmyadvicewasbyfartheeasiesttofollow，weendedbyadoptingit，andcontrivedtoembracethegunwaleandgiveherherhead。
TheboattravelledupstreamforaboutamileatapaceIhaveneversailedatsince，anddon"twanttoagain。Then，atabend，sheheeledovertillhalfhersailwasunderwater。Thensherightedherselfbyamiracleandflewforalonglowbankofsoftmud。
Thatmud-banksavedus。Theboatplougheditswayintothemiddleofitandthenstuck。Findingthatwewereoncemoreabletomoveaccordingtoourideas，insteadofbeingpitchedandthrownaboutlikepeasinabladder，wecreptforward，andcutdownthesail。
Wehadhadenoughsailing。Wedidnotwanttooverdothethingandgetasurfeitofit。Wehadhadasail-agoodall-roundexciting，interestingsail-andnowwethoughtwewouldhavearow，justforachangelike。
Wetookthescullsandtriedtopushtheboatoffthemud，and，indoingso，webrokeoneofthesculls。Afterthatweproceededwithgreatcaution，buttheywereawretchedoldpair，andthesecondonecrackedalmosteasierthanthefirst，andleftushelpless。
Themudstretchedoutforaboutahundredyardsinfrontofus，andbehinduswasthewater。Theonlythingtobedonewastositandwaituntilsomeonecameby。
Itwasnotthesortofdaytoattractpeopleoutontheriver，anditwasthreehoursbeforeasoulcameinsight。Itwasanoldfishermanwho，withimmensedifficulty，atlastrescuedus，andweweretowedbackinanignominiousfashiontotheboat-yard。
Whatbetweentippingthemanwhohadbroughtushome，andpayingforthebrokensculls，andforhavingbeenoutfourhoursandahalf，itcostusaprettyconsiderablenumberofweeks"pocket-money，thatsail。Butwelearnedexperience，andtheysaythatisalwayscheapatanyprice。
CHAPTERXVI。
READING-WEARETOWEDBYSTEAMLAUNCH-IRRITATINGBEHAVIOUROFSMALL
BOATS-HOWTHEYGETINTHEWAYOFSTEAMLAUNCHES-GEORGEANDHARRIS
AGAINSHIRKTHEIRWORK-RATHERAHACKNEYEDSTORY-STREATLEYAND
GORING。
WEcameinsightofReadingabouteleven。Theriverisdirtyanddismalhere。OnedoesnotlingerintheneighbourhoodofReading。Thetownitselfisafamousoldplace，datingfromthedimdaysofKingEthelred，whentheDanesanchoredtheirwarshipsintheKennet，andstartedfromReadingtoravageallthelandofWessex；andhereEthelredandhisbrotherAlfredfoughtanddefeatedthem，EthelreddoingtheprayingandAlfredthefighting。
Inlateryears，Readingseemstohavebeenregardedasahandyplacetorundownto，whenmatterswerebecomingunpleasantinLondon。ParliamentgenerallyrushedofftoReadingwhenevertherewasaplagueonatWestminster；and，in1625，theLawfollowedsuit，andallthecourtswereheldatReading。ItmusthavebeenworthwhilehavingamereordinaryplaguenowandtheninLondontogetridofboththelawyersandtheParliament。
DuringtheParliamentarystruggle，ReadingwasbesiegedbytheEarlofEssex，and，aquarterofacenturylater，thePrinceofOrangeroutedKingJames"stroopsthere。
HenryI。liesburiedatReading，intheBenedictineabbeyfoundedbyhimthere，theruinsofwhichmaystillbeseen；and，inthissameabbey，greatJohnofGauntwasmarriedtotheLadyBlanche。
AtReadinglockwecameupwithasteamlaunch，belongingtosomefriendsofmine，andtheytowedusuptowithinaboutamileofStreatley。Itisverydelightfulbeingtowedupbyalaunch。Ipreferitmyselftorowing。Therunwouldhavebeenmoredelightfulstill，ifithadnotbeenforalotofwretchedsmallboatsthatwerecontinuallygettinginthewayofourlaunch，and，toavoidrunningdownwhich，wehadtobecontinuallyeasingandstopping。Itisreallymostannoying，themannerinwhichtheserowingboatsgetinthewayofone"slaunchuptheriver；
somethingoughttodonetostopit。
Andtheyaresoconfoundedlyimpertinent，too，overit。Youcanwhistletillyounearlyburstyourboilerbeforetheywilltroublethemselvestohurry。Iwouldhaveoneortwoofthemrundownnowandthen，ifIhadmyway，justtoteachthemallalesson。
TheriverbecomesverylovelyfromalittleaboveReading。TherailwayratherspoilsitnearTilehurst，butfromMapledurhamuptoStreatleyitisglorious。AlittleaboveMapledurhamlockyoupassHardwickHouse，whereCharlesI。playedbowls。TheneighbourhoodofPangbourne，wherethequaintlittleSwanInnstands，mustbeasfamiliartotheHABITUESoftheArtExhibitionsasitistoitsowninhabitants。
Myfriends"launchcastusloosejustbelowthegrotto，andthenHarriswantedtomakeoutthatitwasmyturntopull。Thisseemedtomemostunreasonable。IthadbeenarrangedinthemorningthatIshouldbringtheboatuptothreemilesaboveReading。Well，herewewere，tenmilesaboveReading！Surelyitwasnowtheirturnagain。
IcouldnotgeteitherGeorgeorHarristoseethematterinitsproperlight，however；so，tosaveargument，Itookthesculls。Ihadnotbeenpullingformorethanaminuteorso，whenGeorgenoticedsomethingblackfloatingonthewater，andwedrewuptoit。Georgeleantover，aswenearedit，andlaidholdofit。Andthenhedrewbackwithacry，andablanchedface。
Itwasthedeadbodyofawoman。Itlayverylightlyonthewater，andthefacewassweetandcalm。Itwasnotabeautifulface；itwastooprematurelyaged-looking，toothinanddrawn，tobethat；butitwasagentle，lovableface，inspiteofitsstampofpinchandpoverty，anduponitwasthatlookofrestfulpeacethatcomestothefacesofthesicksometimeswhenatlastthepainhasleftthem。