Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-27
Ten Hours in IA Reservoir.

They were talking about swimming matches
and mans power OF enduran e in the water
one had Just told of a race in which he was
five hours in the water without assistance,
and the rest were gazing at HIM ia = reverent
sort of way, when wlld-eyed person near
the group caused all eyes to be turned toward
him by q disdalnful exclamation: "That's
nothing"
The group looked expectantly at the
speaker. as much as to say, "Can you give us
anything betteT?" The intruder, conscious of
this, did not wait for further invitation, but
said:
II WAS once in the water for ten hours, and
not a soul near 70 offer me help"
"Shipwreckeds" suggested one.
"Fell overb0ard?" observed another
NO, 1t was neither. 1t was worse than
both of them"
what was it?" chorused two or three.
NV ell. III tell you. One night in August,
several years ago, was sauntering around in
Central Park enjoying the cool of the evening
and good Havana cigar, when / found my
self near the reservoir. | thought il would be
good idea to go up ana take a seat on the
stone wall and enjoy quiet half hours rest.
This proceeded to do, and soon found com
fOrable seal near the tower. I smoked the
cigar up that had in my mouth, and soon
lighted another. l was cOntempatively
watching the smoke curl upward from it.,
when my attention was attracted by a bat
that few directly in front Of my face and
circled round the tower near me. 1t soon
came back again, however, and made itself
familiar with my nose, AS il flew within few
ct OF 10 in each rcle. So close did it come
that once or twice | attempted to hit il with
my hand, but OF course failed to touch it. At
last ! became excited in nv endeavors TO
strike 1t, and taking OFF my hat leaped upon
the stone wall, and waited for favorable OPP
portunlty. II came, and / made desperate
effort to reach it, but in dong so lost my
balance, and the next moment / was 6Oun-
dering in the reservoir"
Here the speaker ceased for a moment, and
drew long breath of relief.
"Gentlemen," he then continued, ''you
know how hopeless my case must have been
! swan TO the edge. but could not climb M
the almost perpendicular wall that enclosed
the water. But rested myself against the
wall. and raised my voice 70 ITS highest
pitch. / called: help" murder" and III
the other names with which the police are fa-
miliar, but TO no effect. Then finding no
chance Of help from that quarter, l COM
menced swimming around the reservoir. fol-
lowing the walls closely in my journey. Pret-
ty soon / heard the sound Of rushing water,
and knew that ] was near the dam where the
water entered the reservoir. This seemed to
Offer a ray Of hope TO me, and / renewed my
exertiOns. I crept along closely 10 the wall,
for the dark night and rambling sound Of the
water made rue shiver with terror / r ached
the dam. and then leaving the wall / manful-
for as l approached near the opening the cur
rent OF iunOWiug water became too strong for
my strength aud carried me back towaru the
midde OF the rceorNOlr. Three times 1 re-
pcated the effort. and then with ths last hope
dissolved sought the walls again.
] was now indeed in hope ess
predcsment. I looked up at the heavens.
and watched the stars gazing down az me so
calmly and peacefully. They seemed 10 mock
me a. gazcd at them. until actually became
Indignant. But just then what should 1v over
my head bus that bat, the cause o. all my mis-
cry, or one OF It's mates. My anger was un-
bounded, and I felt as IL ! would willingly
stay In the water all nightifI could but wiring
that BATS neck. As u conscious OF my
Thoughts, n new direct y toward me. and be-
gan 90 aRgravate me again as IL did before
my mishap. But remained perfectly quiet
Tor q long time. The bat seemed 10 become
more daring at this, and approa shed nearer
than ever suddenly gave q spring out of
the water. and Ravo It such fright that II
'erved 20 the right tu q careless way q d
few directly against the stone wall. There
WAS q Il ~ crushing sound and then a splash
in the water, ana the next moment / had the
lifeleas body ~ my old enemy In my hands
what neNtW exclaimed a breathless list
ener.
"Well, there wasn't much more. / swan
around and rested hy turns. heard clock
In some distant church tn the hours, aud
counted diligently he number OF times 10
struck My Htr myth became nearly exhaust.
ed before morning, but | managed 20 hang
ON"
"who rescued your" Interrupted another.
"Whs rescued wef-why, nobody. About
100 feet from where ! was two small boats
we're anchored. Owing a. the dnrfnfas /
could nul see them, Hnd instead of awimm nf
toward ihein bon tho dark had gone in iuai
the Opposite direction. OF course didn't let
Do laFe me l0nH 90 Nnf ID them and got out az
thet reservoir ana run Tor home
"And nov, gentlemen, that's wurso than
being in a i've hour race. can tHIi you. Tor
one teffUf that experienced that night haa
mAas me Ten years older