Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-03-13
MY LAST SWIM AT SEA.
Hair-Breadth Escape from the
Jaws Of a Shark.

Cdu nOb EcCOllSCI ever learning W
swim. l swan naturally, and in boy
hood was almost as much at home in
as out Of the water. Diving, an art in
general only acquired by long prac-
tice, was to me easy from the Begin
ming. My skill in aquatic sports
passed into proverb. and now that
years have passed and have reached
middle life, the renown OF my boy
hoods feats cling TO me yet In my ma
tive place.
But am swimmer no more; the
love that was so strong has given
place 10 such loathing hate and
horror OF the water that when ! think
OF cold shudder comes over me until
the tide OF thought is turned. An ad-
venture In tropical waters was the
cause OF this.
1t happened thus: was on my SEQ
ond voyage. The ship lay becalmed
amid the Molucca Islands on the pas
sage for China, 1t was near midday
In tho forenoon watch. The suns
hottest rays were pouring down upon
the deck with scorching violence, and
vainy did l seek for somo cool spot
where momentary comfort at least.
could DO found. The painting, half
nude forms of tho crew were spread
out beneath the shade OF canvas
drawn over the foreca5tle capstan.
which they tried to persuade them
Nin ha
heat. Above, not n cloud could be
seen in the broad blue expanse OF the
sky, which seemed heated caldron
tn mod above US. Against it the state
ly spars and heavy white sails swayed
with the roll of tho ship in royal idle
ness and majesty.
Too hot TO work or to read, uneasy,
praying for a breeze which it seemed
would never come, lounged about the
deck vainly seeking relief from my dis
comfort. Gazing over the side down in
to the deep blue waste be meath, my eye
sought some object by which TO note
tho vessels progress, however slow it
might be, but nothing could ] see save
water, dark and unfathomable. The
polished coppered side of the ship
shone brightly out upon the surface for
q few feet, and rs I gazed upon Its
quivering beauty, and remarked how
very still we lay, the thought struck me-
"What chance for swimw What
q relief from all this broiing, swelter-
ing, oven-like heat.
To think was to act. turned to the
boys.
Here John! Billy! Jimmy! Let's
go in swimming. Never was such a
chancer' cried l, springing down from
the rail. Lets sling the ladder over
from the fore-chains so we can got up
the side easily. and we'll have good
time; she isn't moving bit; come,
bear hand, and let's see who'll be
overheard first"
The ships officers made no objection,
and was quickly joined by four or
five Of my shipmates, each as anxious
as myself for something to vary the
monotony. The fore-hatch ladder was
quickly slung aud dashed TO the side,
and we stripped to 60 In. The rest Of
the crew had gathered upon the top
gallant forecastle to watch our antics.
Only one old fellow, an inveterate
growlor known as 4" Briton," eau
toned US as he took his scat near the
rail:
You young rascals had better keep
out OF the water or the sharks IL
gobble up some OF you. There's plen-
ty Of EN- round for oil you don't see
On"
"Oh, you're always croal6ing, you
web-footed old barnncle-backw cried
Billy Option, mounting tho rail and
posing himself for plunge. We
never can do any thing but you must
throw cold water on il.
"Oh, go ahead go ahead! | don't
care what you do; you're not obliged
TO take my advice, but il you we're
son Of mine you'd not go overheard In
these waters" growled Briton.
"Well, as I'm not your son, and as
you don't care what do. here goes!"
said Billy, and suiting the action to
the word, he sprang lightly TO the rail-
glanced In mid air for an instant and
the next was buried fathoms deep In
the liquid blue. Rising quickly to the
surface with shake OF his curly head
TO clear his sight of the water which
dripped from his hair, he gave an en-
couraging cheer to the rest and struck
boldly out from the vessels side.
Emboldencd by his confidence. sew
eral more began taking Oft their clothes
TO join the merry band who we're soon
tumbling about under the bow or
splashing water up NJ the looxers-on
above. Twas delayed through having
TO put some guys 60 the ladder, until
some seven or eight bad gone over the
side. Their shouts and laughter and
the fear that was losing half the fun
hastened my movements, as throwing
my clothing into my bunk | ran out
and clambcred into the fore-chains for
n dive. AS paused a moment TO take
breath and cool my perspiring body
slightly beloreg going in, looked down