"Suppose we give them a volley of stones," suggested Fred Harper.

"No!" said Frank, firmly.

The boat was pulling parallel with the shore, and not more than ten
rods from it. The Rovers yelled, and indulged freely in coarse and
abusive language, as they approached. Charles Hardy, with averted face,
was pulling the forward oar; but not one of his former companions hailed
him. They pitied him; they were sure, when they saw his sad countenance,
that he was suffering intensely.

Suddenly Charles dropped his oar, and stood up.

"See! Tim Bunker!" shouted he, pointing to the opposite side of the
lake.

All the crew turned their eyes that way, and Charles, seizing his
opportunity, sprang with a long leap into the water.

The act was so sudden that the crew could not, for a moment, recover
from their astonishment, and Charles struck out lustily for the shore.

"After him!" shouted Barney; and his companions bent upon their oars.

But their excitement threw them into confusion, they lost the stroke,
and Barney was such a bungler himself that he could not get the boat
about.

"Bravo, Charley!" shouted the Zephyrs.