Chapter 1, pg. It appears to be very ominous and foreboding, although Finny pressures them all to climb with him, bragging that it looks easy. However, the other boys are hardly convinced. The tree, from which they would jump to simulate a dive from a sinking ship, is a training site of sorts for the senior students, also called Upper Middlers . Since the other boys are doubtful, Finny takes off his clothes, climbs the tree and gleefully jumps off one of its branches, landing in the river below.
Gene unwillingly agrees to climb the tree next.
Chapter 1, pg. After landing in the water, Gene receives Finny's compliments. Finny then urges the other three boys, Leper Lepellier , Chet Douglass , and Bobby Zane to go. All three are too afraid and Phineas is proud that only he and Gene were brave enough. It was this fact that makes them feel even closer as best friends.