fro; while with a
weary sigh Pen sank down beside him and sat gazing into the sunny
distance.

"Couldn't we get over to the other side?" said Punch at last. "It's all
rocks and stones and rough going this side, and all green and meadowlike
over the other. Can you swim?"

"Yes, pretty well," said Pen; "but I should be too tired to try."

"So can I, pretty tidy. I am tired, but not too tired to try. Let's
just rest a bit, and then swim across. It runs pretty fast, but 'tain't
far, and if it carried us some way down, all the better."

"Very well, after a bit I don't mind if we try," said Pen; "but I must
rest first."

Then the boys were silent for a time, for Punch, whose eyes were
wandering as he scanned the distance of the verdant undulating slope on
the other side of the river, suddenly burst out with: "Yes, we had
better get across, for our chaps are sure to be on the other side of the
river."

"Why?" said Pen drowsily.

"'Cause we are this. Soldiering always seems to be going by the rules
of contrary; and--there!" cried the boy excitedly, "what did I tell you?
There they are!"

"What, our men? Where?" cried Pen excitedly.

"Right over yonder, a mile away."

"I can see nothing."

"You don't half look," cried Punch angrily, bending forward, nursing his
tender feet and staring wildly into the distance. "I ketched sight of a
bit of scarlet ever so far off, and that must mean Bri'sh soldiers."

"No; it might be something painted red--or a patch of poppies perhaps."

"Oh, go it!" cried Punch angrily. "You will say next it is a jerrynium
in a red pot, same as my mother always used to have in her window. It's
red-coats, I tell you. There, can't you see them?"

"No."

"Tchah! You are not looking right. Look yonder--about a mile away from
the top of that hill just to the right of that bit of a wood. Now, do
you see?"

"No," said Pen slowly. "Yes, I do--men marching. Do you see that flash
in the sunlight. Bayonets! Punch, you are right!"

"Ah!" said the boy. "Now then, what do you say to a swim across?"

"Yes, I am ready," said Pen. "How far is it, do you think?"

"About a hundred yards," replied the boy. "Oh, we ought to do that
easy. You see, it will be only paddle at first, and then wade till you
get up to your chest, and then swim. Perhaps we sha'n't have to swim at
all. Rough rivers like this are always shallow. When you are ready I
am. We sha'n't have to take off our shoe