ld be snapped out.

"You, young Jenkins, what did I tell you? Phibbs, you're the wrong side
of the posts. Mullins, if I have to speak to you again, I shall report
you. Wilson, if you don't go up into the shallows, I shall fetch you
out."

"Can't," cried the impudent young dog.

"Then I'll send a big boy to fetch you, sah. How dare you, sah! What
do you mean, sah?"

Then there would be the pad, pad, pad, pad of naked feet, as a boy ran
along the diving-board, sprang out, and then splash he would be into the
water.

And so it went on, with some tiring, and going and sitting in the sun,
which played the part of warm towel, till they would come in again, for
it was declared to be the most delightful day we had had.

Then Mr Rebble and Mr Hasnip came down to see how we were getting on,
and stood cheering and encouraging the timid ones, who were loth to get
duckings by learning to swim.

I had been trying for some time, right out in the middle, to float
without moving, while Mercer and Hodson in turn had their tries. Burr
major was swimming from side to side, blowing like a grampus, and other
boys were about us unnoticed, for we were too much occupied over our own
efforts to heed them, when all at once, as I lay back with the water
nearly all over my face, and my hands right down paddling softly, a wave
turned me a little on one side; I raised my head, and a horrible yell
sent a cold chill through me.

"What is it? the matter?" cried Mercer.

"Help! help!" shrieked Burr major, who was only a few yards away,
splashing the water heavily as he swam with all his might for the side.

But he only shrieked out, "Help! help!" in a horror-stricken voice, and
we all swam toward him as he made for the shore, all the lesser boys
splashing out as fast as they could, to congregate shivering on the
bank.

"What is it? What's the matter?" cried Mr Rebble, hurrying along the
path, while Lomax came running round from the other side, for he had
crossed the dam to act the part of water shepherd over some of his wet
lambs.

But Burr major only kept on shrieking, "Help! help!"

"What's the matter, boys?" cried Mr Hasnip, who was now standing on the
bank just where Burr major would land.

"Don't know, sir."

"He's frightened, sir."

"Got the cramp."

This, and half a dozen other replies, came in a confused chorus, as we
swam on in a half circle behind Burr major ready to help him if he
ceased to swim.

But he was st