On a hot summer day we headed to the swimming hole at Cedar Creek. Charlie took his .22 rifle so we could do some shooting. For some reason Bloomers was with us. Bloomers was near Charlie's age and would try to bully us younger kids except when Charlie was around.
When we arrived, Charlie, Ernie, Knox and I quickly removed our clothes and plunged into the muddy, but cool, waters of the creek. Bloomers went scouting along the banks of the creek.
Tired from swimming, we were resting on the bank when we spotted Bloomers coming around the bend of the creek in an old rowboat he had found.
Charlie yelled at Bloomers, "Hey Bloomers, can you swim?"
"Of course I can swim", said Bloomers.
"Well, let's see", said Charlie.
Charlie picked up his .22 rifle, aimed carefully, and began to shoot holes in the bottom of the boat.
We took turns shooting holes in the boat until we had depleted a box of cartridges.
Bloomers was right. He could swim.
