"We're about equal." Heathcote couldn't stand the barefaced libel meekly.
"Why, you can't swim once across!" he said, scornfully, "and you can't go in off the board!" The Fifth-form boys laughed.
"Ha, ha!" said Swinstead, "he's letting you have it, Gossy." "He's telling beastly crams," said Gosse, "and I'll kick him when we get back." "I'll swim you across the pool and back, first!" said Heathcote.
The seniors were delighted.

The new boy's spirit pleased them, and the prospect of taking down the junior pleased them still more.
"That's fair," said Birket.

"Come on, strip." Heathcote was ready in a trice.

Gosse looked uncomfortable.
"I'm not going in again," he said; "I've got a cold." "Yes, you are," replied Birket; "I'll help you." This threat was quite enough for the discomfited junior, who slowly divested himself of his garments.
"Now then! plenty of room for both of you on the board." "No," said Gosse; "I've not got any cotton wool for my ears.

I don't care about going in off the board unless I have." "That's soon remedied," said Swinstead, producing some wool from his pocket and proceeding to stuff it into each of the boy's ears.
Poor Gosse was fairly cornered, and took his place on the board beside Heathcote, the picture of discontent and apprehension.
"Now then, once across and back.