Why, I could swim twice as far as that myself, and he can beat me." "Could you?
I couldn't." That was the first time Dab had heard his city acquaintance make a confession of inability, and he could see a more than usually thoughtful expression on his face.

The coolness and skill of Dick Lee, in his hour of disaster, had not been thrown away upon him.
"If I had my clothes off," said Ford, "I believe I'd try that on." "Dab Kinzer, you's de bes' feller dar is.

But wot'll we do wid de old boat ?" burst out Dick, on coming to the surface.
"Let the tide carry her in while we're crabbing.

She isn't worth mending, but we'll tow her home." "All right," said Dick, as he grasped the gunwale of Dab's boat, and began to climb over.
"Hold on, Dick." "I is a-holdin' on." "I mean, wait a bit.

Ain't you wet ?" "Of course I's wet." "Well, then, you stay in there till you get dry It's well you didn't have your new clothes on." "Ain't I glad 'bout dem!" enthusiastically ex-claimed the young African.
"Nebber mind dese clo'es.