Hastily he divested himself of his clothing and "Stockie" slowly followed his example.

As they stood naked on the bank, before their plunge, a snake shot out almost from under then feet, and swam gracefully over the surface to a stump a little distance off.

That was enough for "Stockie," who resumed his clothes.

Paul did not like the idea of snakes in the water, still he had traveled far for a swim and he was resolved to have it and so he plunged headlong in.

Round and round among the stumps he swam.