Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-02-07
MY LAST SWIM AT SEA.
Hair-Breadth Escape from the
Jaws Of q Shark.

1 can not recOllect ever learning to
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 I have reached
middle life, the renown of my boy
hoods feats cling to me yet in my ma
tive place.
But am q swimmer no more; the
love that was so strong has given
place to such a loathing hate and
horror of the water that when l think
of it cold shudder comes over me until
the tide of thought is turned. An adj
venture in tropical waters was the
cause Of this
1t happened thus: was on my Sec
ond voyage. The ship lay becalmed
amid the Molucca islands on the pas
sage for China. 1t was near midday
in the forenoon watch. The suns
hottest rays were pouring down upon
the deck with scorching violence, and
vainly did l seek for some cool spot
where momentary comfort. at least,
could be found. The painting, half
nude forms of the crew were spread
out beneath the shade of canvas
drawn over the forecastle capstan,
which they tried to persuade them
selves yielded some shelter from the
heat. Above, not a cloud could be
seen in the broad blue expanse of the
sky, which seemed q heated caldron
turned above us. Against it the state
ly spars and heavy white sails swayed
with the roll of the ship in royal idle
ness and majesty.
Too hot to work or to read, uneasy,
praying for breeze which it seemed
would never come. lounged about the
deck vainly seekin G relief from my dis
comfort. Gazing over the side down in
to the deep blue waste beneath. my eye
sought some object by which to note
the vessels progress, however slow it
might be. but nothing could l see save
water. dark and unfathomable. The
polished coppered side of the 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 thoughtstruck me:
''What a chance for swim" What
d relief from all this broiling, 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
chance" cried l, springing down from
She rail. Lets sling the ladder over
from the fore-chains so we can get up
the side easily. and we'll have q good
time; she isn't moving a 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 and 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
GROWER known as Briton," eau
toned US as he took his seat near the
rail:
You young rascals had better keen
out OF the water or the sharks III
gobble up some Of you. There's plen-
y of 'em round for all you don't see
EN-"
"Oh. you're always croalEing. you
web-foc.Ad old barnacle-back!" cried
Billy Option, mounting the rail and
posing himself for . plunge 1--WE
never can do any thing but you must
throw cold water on It."
ssOh. 90 ahsad! 60 ahead! I don't
sArs what Jon DO; you're not Obliged