"No," said the poet, "that would not do. It is very perplexing." "Couldn't you swim out to your boat, and come back with the dinghy?" asked Hermione. "My Finn is ashore with the dinghy, and I have no other boat. I would swim to the _Shark_, but I do not like to leave you here alone. That pig of a keeper probably thinks that he has got us penned, and may be back at any moment with reinforcements. He knows that we would not care to take to the back country in our bathing suits, and besides, this is a promontory and probably wire-fenced on the side of the mainland. Perhaps the best thing for us to do would be to go straight to the club and see the superintendent. I would enjoy talking to that gentleman." "No ... no ... no!" cried Hermione. "Think of how it would look!" "You might wait here and let me go alone." "No..." Hermione looked at him thoughtfully. "Are you a very strong swimmer?" "I am quite at home in the wet." "Then, let's try for the _Shark_. If I get tired you can take me in tow." "What distance do you think that you are good for?" asked the poet. "To the yawl, at least. The chances are that we will be sighted from the _Shark_. In fact, we might make them see us here ... but I would rather start back. If I play out, you can put me aboard the _Daffodil_ and keep on yourself for the schooner." "All right. It _is_ ignominious to be found this way on the beach. I'll hide the gun and game-bag in the bushes at the foot of that tree." This was quickly accomplished, when the two walked side by side down the sloping beach and waded slowly into the cold water. Knee-deep, the poet, who was in the lead, turned to Hermione. "Take it easy," said he, "and don't try to talk. If you feel tired, put one hand on my shoulder and keep paddling. I could tow you all of the way, if need be, but you must swim as far as you can, so as not to get chilled. The water is like ice in the channel."