The other drew slowly near the fire. He was still pale, and breathing
quickly.

"Hello, dad, is breakfast ready?" came a cheery voice from the tent.

"Thank God, he is alive apparently," said the man, sinking down on a log
beside the fire. "You must pardon me, sir," he said. "You see, I saw
him take a header into the pool from that high rock over yonder, and he
never came up again. I thought he was drowned."

The man at the fire smiled.

"The young villain gave you a fright, did he? One of his usual tricks.
Well, as his father, and more or less responsible for him, I offer the
most humble apology. Have you had breakfast?"

"Yes. But why did he do such a thing?"

"Ask him. Here he comes."

Out from the tent came the youth in shorts, the warm glow of his body
showing through the filmy material.

"Hello!" he cried, backing toward the tent door. "You are the man with
the paddle. Is there by any chance a lady with you, or did I hear a
lady's voice over there? I assure you I got a deuce of a fright."

"You gave me the supreme fright of my life, young man, I can tell you
that."