under water, but then I had bestowed my bundle of clothes some little way
off, and Brother Thomas commanded it from his side of the stream. He
would have waited there in ambush till I came shivering back for hose and
doublet, and I should be in no better case than I was now. Meanwhile his
weapon was levelled at me, and I could see the bolt-point set straight
for my breast, and glittering in a pale blink of the sun. The bravest
course is ever the best. I should have thrown myself on the earth, no
doubt, and so crawled to cover, taking my chance of death rather than the
shame of obeying under threat and force. But I was young, and had never
looked death in the face, so, being afraid and astonished, I made what
seemed the best of an ill business, and, though my face reddens yet at
the thought of it, I leaped in and swam back like a dog to heel.

"Behold me," I said, making as brave a countenance as I might in face of
necessity.

"Well done, Norman Leslie de Pitcullo," he snarled, baring his yellow
teeth. "This is the obedience which the young owe to the Church. Now,
ferry me over; you are my boat."

"You will drown, man," I said. "Not while you swim."

Then, unbuckling his frock, he packed it as he had seen me do, bade me
put it on my head, and so stepped out into the water, holding forth his
arm to put about my neck. I was for teaching him how to lay it on my
shoulder, and was bidding him keep still as a plank of wood, but he
snarled--

"I have sailed on a boat of flesh before to-day."