I was with a big group of people and my best Friend Phineas just had a crazy idea. We were standing in front of this huge tree next to the river, and he wanted to climb it. He looked as if nothing would intimidate him. Finny said that he liked the tree so much because, "It's such a cinch" (6). I sarcastically remarked, "Is that what you like the best" (6)? No Upper Middler had ever jumped off of it before, and only seventeen-year-olds have. Jumping from this tree was part of the war physical hardening regimen, and he wanted to be the first to do it. I think he was the only one excited; I was just concentrating on it.
He climbed up the tree and sprang out into the water. I had to go next, and I started to feel lightheaded and went into a very mild state of shock. I manned up and quietly climbed up the tree.The branch was thinner than I had thought and it seemed impossible to jump from it and land in the river. As Finny was taunting me, I noticed the nice view, and it made me think of why I let Finny talk me into doing stupid things. Then I jumped, I hit some branches on the way and safely landed hitting the soft mud on the bottom. I came up and Leper said, "I think that was better than Finny's" (9). Leper, Chet, and Bobby all didn't make the jump.
At that moment and I were the best of friends. Finny told me that I had a tendency to back away from things, which I did, but didn't admit.
We were going to be late for dinner so I started my "West Point Stride" as Finny came after me and tripped me. I counterattacked him and there was a short wrestling match, which he won.
Skipping dinner, we went back to our room to finish out Hardy assignments.
We had the radio on low and heard the senior boys showering for a period of time, and then the lights went out all through the school.
