TELLS ABOUT THE OLD PASSAGEWAY Honest, as sure as I'm sitting here, I would have gone down first-- after the way that fellow spoke to me.

It just sent thrills through me.
And only a couple of days before, I didn't like him and I thought he didn't trust Skinny.
I grabbed hold of him and I said, "Bert, I--just a second--_please_--I have to tell you--if I don't see you again--I mean so I can speak to you--I have to tell you, you're a hero--" But he jerked my hand off his sleeve.

He didn't say anything, but just jerked my hand off his sleeve.

And I stood there holding the paddle, and I could hear the water rushing in the valley, and I was breathing hard and all trembling.
I called, "Bert! Are you all right, Bert ?" But he didn't answer.

Then I went to the edge and I was all shaking from head to foot.