CHARNOCK TRIES HIS STRENGTH The skip that crossed the river was loaded, and Charnock and Festing were forced to wait until it came back.

They climbed to a platform on the bridge-pier and stood for some minutes, shivering in the wind.

The skip would only carry one, and when it arrived Charnock made Festing get in.
"You were in the water longest," he said.

"Get aboard as quick as you can!" Festing was swung across the river, but waited until Charnock arrived, when they ran up the hill to the former's shack.

The fire was out and Festing's face was blue, while Charnock's teeth chattered as he threw off his clothes.