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。