There was a little gravel beach where you could wade out a rod or two, and then for a rod or two the water was over the boy's head.

It then became shallow again near the opposite bank.

So it was a capital place to learn to swim.
After they came out, the boys would sit down on the bank and have a sort of boys' exchange, in which all matters of interest were talked over, and a great deal of good-natured chaff was exchanged.

Any newcomer had to pass through an ordeal of this character, in which his temper and quality were thoroughly tried.

I remember now an occasion which must have happened when I was not more than eight or ten years old, when a rather awkward-looking greenhorn had come down from New Hampshire and made his appearance at the swimming- place.