"Now what do you mean to do?" said the stranger. "I don't think
you can pull home in her. One doesn't know how much she may be
damaged. She may sink in the lock, or play any prank."

"But what am I to do with her?"

"Oh, you can leave her at Sandford and walk up, and send one of
Hall's boys after her. Or, if you like, I will tow her up behind
my skiff."

"Won't your skiff carry two?"

"Yes; if you like to come I'll take you, but you must sit very
quiet."

"Can't we go down to Sandford first and have a glass of ale? What
time is it?--the water has stopped my watch."

"A quarter past three. I have about twenty minutes to spare."

"Come along, then," said Tom; "but will you let me pull your
skiff down to Sandford? I resolved to pull to Sandford to-day,
and don't like to give it up."

"By all means, if you like," said the other, with a smile; "jump
in, and I'll walk along the bank."

"Thank you," said Tom, hurrying into the skiff, in which he
completed the remaining quarter of a mile, while the owner walked
by the side, watching him.

They met on the bank at the little inn by Sandford lock, and had
a glass of ale, over which Tom confessed that it was the first
time he had ever navigated a skiff by himself, and gave a
detailed account of his adventures, to the great amusement of his
companion. And by the time they rose to go, it was settled, at
Tom's earnest request, that he should pull the sound skiff up,
while his companion sat in the stern and coached him. The other
consented very kindly, merely stipulating that he himself should
take the sculls, if it should prove that Tom could not pull them
up in time for hall dinner. So they started, and took the tub in
tow when they came up to it. Tom got on famously under his new
tutor, who taught him to get forward, and open his knees
properly, and throw his weight on to the sculls at the beginning
of the stroke. He managed even to get into Iffley lock on the way
up without fouling the gates, and was then and there complimented
on his progress. Whereupon, as they sat, while the lock filled,
Tom poured out his thanks to his tutor for his instruction, which
had been given so judiciously that, while he was conscious of
improving at every stroke, he did not feel that the other was
asserting any superiority over him; and so, though more humble
than at the most disastrous period of his downward voyage, he was
getting into a better temper every minute.

It is a great