He could only splash and paddle around dog-fashion, and the sun burnt his back so badly that he was glad to get out of the water.
Afternoon came, and nothing unusual had happened, but John Jay kept up his courage and looked around for something to do to occupy the time.

A wide plank leaned up against the little shed at one side of the cabin.
It made him think of Uncle Billy's cellar door, where he had spent many a happy hour sliding.
"I'm goin' to have a coast," he said to Bud.

A smooth board which he found near the woodpile furnished him with a fine toboggan.

By the help of an overturned chicken-coop, which he dragged across the yard, he managed to climb to the top of the shed.

Squatting down on the board, he gave himself a starting push with one hand.