The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-03-08
MY LAST SWIM AT SEA.
HaIr-Breadth Escape from the
Jaws of a Shark.

can not reoollect ever learning 70
swim / swnm naturally, and in boy
. hood was almost as much AZ homo In
rs out OF tho water. Diving, IN art in
general only acquired by long prao-
tice, was to mo easy from the begin
ming. My skill in aquatic sports
passed into proverh and now that
years have passed and I have reached
middle life, the renown OF my boy
hoods fents cling TO me yet IN my na-
tlNe place -. o.. .'--.. oil.
But / am 4 swimmer no moro; tho
love that WAS so strong has given
place to such a loathing hate aud
horror OF tho water that when / think
OF it d cold shudder comes over me until
the tide OF thought is turned An ad-
venture in tropical waters was the
cause OF this = -. ...-.s-.
II happened thus: was or my sec
Ond voyage. The ship lay becalmed
amid tho Molucca islands on the pas
saCs FOR China 1t was near midday
in the forenoon watch. The SUMS
hottest rays wore pouring down upon
the deck with scorching violence, and
vninly did seek for some cool spot
where momentary comfort at Loast,
could be found Tho painting. half
nude forms OF the crew were spread
out beneath the shade OF canvas
drawn over tho forecasele capstan,
which they tried 70 persuade them-
selves yielded some shelter from the
heat. Above, not cloud could DO
seen In the broad blue e1panse OF the
sky, which seemed heated caldron
turned above rs. Against 1t tho state
ly spars and heavy white sails swayed
with the roll OF the ship in royal Idle
ness and majesty. -....--.-
Too hot 70 work or TO read, uneasy.
praying for a breeze which II seemed
would never come. / loungod about tho
deck vainly seekin z elief from my dis
comfort. Gazing over the sido down in
70 the deep blue waste beneath, my eyo
sought some object by whioh 10 noto
the vessels progress, however slow 1t
might DC, but nothing could sec savo
water, dark and unfathomable. Tho
polished coppered side of tho ship
shone brightly out upon the surface for
a few feet, and as / gazed upon its
quivering beauty, and remarked how
very still we lay, the thought struck me-:
What chance Tor a swim"' What
"a relief from Ell this broiiing, sweIter-
ing. oven-like heat is...-
To think was % act turned 70 the
boys. .-:~-z.@--..
'' Here John, Billyi Jlmmyi Ls.'s
go IN swimming. Never was such a
ehsncel eriei 1. springing down from
the rHts Lets sling tho ladder over
from the foro-chains so We can got CD
the side easily. and wo'u have q good
time; sho Isn't moving a DIT; come,
bear hand, and let's see who'll be
overheard first
Tho ships officers made no objection.
and l was quickly Joined by four or
i've of my shipmates. each as anxi ous
as myself for something TO vary the
mOnOtORy. The fOre-hatoh ladder was
! qIickly slung aud Lashed 70 The side,
and we stripped 70 goLn y Tho rest OF
the crew had gathered upon the top
gallant forecastle TO watch our autics-
Only one old fellow, an Invetarata
Rrowler known as :. Briton," eau
toned Us as he took his seat near the
rail: ..-
Z" You young rescsLls had better keep
out o, The water or tho sharks II
sobble upisomc Of you. There's pIea-
y OF EN- round for all you don't 500
en-" NJ. .:e..ft
. Oh, yos're always croaking. yoa
web-footed old barnacle-bnclxr' cried
Billy Dipton, mounting the rail and
poising himself for plunge We
never can do any thing but you must
throw cold water on it."
"Oh, go aheadi go aheadi don't
care what you do; you're not Obliged
% take my advice, but IL you were
son Of mino you'd not go overheard in
these waters" growled Britou.
"Woll, as I'm not your son. and as
you don't care what do. here goes!''
said Billy, and suiting the action 70
tic word he sprang lightly 70 the rail,
glanced in mid-air for aa instant and
thu naxt was buried fathoms deep in
the liquid blue Rising quickly 70 the
surface with a shake Of his curly head
20 clear his sight Of the water which
dripped from his hair, no gave an en-
couraging chcer 10 the rest and struck
boldly out from the vessels side.
Emboldened by his confidence, sew
eral more began taking of their clothes
TO Join the merry band who were soon