“Bawly, I think I can beat you in a swimming race.”

“I don’t believe you can,” spoke Bawly, as he thoughtfully scratched his
left front leg on a piece of hickory bark.

“Well, we’ll try,” said Bully. “We’ll see who can first swim to the
other side of the pond, and whoever does it will get a stick of
peppermint candy.”

“Where can we get the candy?” asked Bawly. “Have you got it? For if you
have I wish you’d give me a bite before we jump in the water, Bully.”

“No, I haven’t it,” replied his brother. “But I know Grandpa Croaker
will give it to us after the race. Come on, let’s jump in.”

So the next minute into the pond jumped those two frog boys, and they
didn’t take off their shoes or their stockings, nor even their coats or
waists, nor yet their neckties. For you see they wore the kind of
clothes which water couldn’t hurt, as they were made of rubber, like a
raincoat. Their mamma had to make them that kind, because they went in
the water so often.

Into the pond the frogs jumped, and they began swimming as fast as they
could. First Bully was a little distance ahead, and then Bawly would
kick out his front legs and his hind legs, and he would be in the lead.

“I’m going to win! I’ll get the peppermint candy!” Bawly called to his
brother, winking his two eyes right in the water, as easily as you can
put your doll to sleep, or play a game of marbles.