nd I have got hold of
you."

"That's right, my lad, and I'd say take a good fast holt of my hair,
only Ikey Gregg scissored it off so short when it turned so hot that
there's nothing to hold. But can you hyste yourself up a bit higher?"

"I'll try, Joe; but the water drags at me so. But, Joe, what are you
holding on to?"

"What they'd call a arm of the tree, sir."

"But if I try to climb up you shan't I drag you loose?"

"Oh, I'm no consequence, my lad. If I'm washed off I shall get hold
again somewheres. Never you mind me. There's Harry Briggs up aloft
a-reaching down a couple of his hands. If you feel you've got stuff
enough in you.--Take your time over it, my lad--you see if you can't
swarm a bit up me and then stretch up and think you are at home trying
to pick apples, till Harry gets a big grip of your wristies; and then
you ought to be able to swarm up him. Now then, do you think you can
try?"

"Yes, Joe; I think so," panted the boy. "That's right, my lad. I'd
give you a lift, only I can't, for I'm in rotten anchorage, and we
mustn't get adrift."

About a minute passed, in which little was heard but the whishing of the
water through the leaves and twigs, and the sound of hard breathing.
Then Joe spoke again--

"I don't want to hurry you, my lad, but if you think you can manage it
I'd say, begin."

"I'm ready now, Joe," said the boy faintly. "But do you think you can
hold on?"

"Aren't got time to think, my lad. You go on and do it. That's your
job, and don't you think as it's a hard 'un. Just you fancy the
doctor's yonder getting anxious about you, and then--up you goes."

"Yes, Joe," panted Rodd.

"And once you get hold of Harry Briggs' hands he'll draw you up a bit.
He's a-hinging down like one of them there baboons, tail up'ards. Then,
once he hystes you a bit, you get a good grip of him with your teeth
anywhere that comes first. He won't mind. That'll set your hands free,
and then up you goes bit by bit till you gets right into the tree."

"Yes, Joe; and then?"

"Well, my lad, then I'd set down striddling and have a rest."

"Below there! Ready!" cried Briggs. "I can't reach no further,
youngster, but I think if you can climb up and grip we might manage it."

"Yes! Coming!" cried Rodd.

And then no one saw, and afterwards Rodd could hardly tell how he
managed it, but with the water pressing him closer as he clung face to
face with the partially submerged coxswain, he ma