CHAPTER XXXI
TELLS ABOUT THE OLD PASSAGEWAY
Honest, as sure as I'm sitting here, I would have gone down first—after the way that fellow spoke to me. It just sent thrills through me. And only a couple of days before, I didn't like him and I thought he didn't trust Skinny.
I grabbed hold of him and,I said, "Bert, I—just a second—please—I have to tell you—if I don't see you again—I mean so I can speak to you—I have to tell you, you're a hero—"
But he jerked my hand off his sleeve. He didn't say anything, but just jerked my hand off his sleeve. And I stood there holding the paddle, and I could hear the water rushing in the valley, and I was breathing hard and all trembling,
I called, "Bert! Are you all right, Bert?"
But he didn't answer. Then I went to the edge and I was all shaking from head to foot. But I was ready. It was all dark down there and I couldn't see. Anyway, I was ready.
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