Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-02-07

you QOn = care WnaC 90, mere 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.
Emboldened by his confidence, sew
eral more began taking of their clothes
to join the merry band who were soon
tumbling about under the bow or
splashing water up at the lookers-on
above. Twas delayed through having
to put some guys to the ladder, until
some seven or eight had gone over the
side. Their shouts and laughter and
the fear that was losing half the fun
fastened my movements, as throwing
my clothing into my bunk I ran out
and clambered into the fore-chains for
a dive. As paused q moment to take
breath and cool my perspiring body
slightly before going in. I looked down
upon the merry scene of which I had
been the chief instigator.
Below me, clinging with one hand to
some ropes ends thrown over to them.
and actively scattering water upon
each other, were two of the less ex-
perienced swimmers. Further on to-
ward the bow were three or four 9th
ers more expert, who were wing with
one another in feats and FRANKS; div
ing under each other, catching hold of
feet and pulling some other down, and
ducking one another unawares.
Away out, some hundred yards or
more, Billy Option was leisurely swim-
ming about, rolling over and over por-
poise-fashion, floating and enjoying
himself hugely. As soon as he saw
me ready to dive he called to me to
join him and see how handsome the
ship looked from a distance.
"Stay where you are, Billy, and
see If l can't fetch you before 1 rise"
l cried. raising my hands above my
head for the plunge.
"All right" cried Bill, treading
water; II shan't move. Come ahead. :"
Overheard I went, several of the
lookers-on expressed their doubts as
to any ones ability to swim so far
under water, and watching my prog
ress the while. A cheer greeted my
appearance at the surface where l
rose beyond him. Crying to me that
he could beat that, Billy struck out
for the ship to prove his words.
He soon gained the chains and jok-
ingly calling to me that he believed I
had doubled the distance by going
farther out, took in his breath and
shot overheard like an arrow. So
clearly did he enter the water that the
slightest possible ripple rufled the
surface of the deep as it closed over
him. WAITED with watchful eyes for
his temperance. expected to see
him rise between me and the ship, for
the distance was so great that it had
taxed my own powers. and l thought I
had him beaten.
Even as l was thinking this cheer
from the forecastle warned me that he
had come up, and turning my head l
beheld him some five or six yards be-
yond me, CHEEKY smile upon his face
and his head cooked on one side as if
to say: BEAT that, my boy!'
Withous q word l struck out to the
vessel again, not a little vexed at be-
ing outdone, and determined to 90 so
far outside him next time as to deter
him il possible from trying again to
beat me.
Reaching the ship I clambered up
the side and took my place in the up
per chains ready for the plunge. The
captain and mate being doubtless as
hard pushed for amusement as we poor
fellows forward, were leaning over the
quarter-rail and watching our sport
with interest
"Go it, Gus!' cried John Butler, as
he climbed out of the water to get q
better view. BEAT him this time 50
he won't want to try again" Then as
he surveyed the distance at which Billy
lay. he added: MY stars. but that's a
long dive! Ell, Briton?" turning to the
old sailor who had warned us against
going into the water.
YES" returned he, 50 deal too
long. If John Shark was to come
along now, what chance would Billy
have to get on board? The old man
must be loony to let you youngsters 60
into the water in such a sharks para
disc as this. If had my way I'd mast
head the whole bilin' of YOU"
''Go it. you old growl your retort-
ed John. Il suppose you never had
swim in your life, and now you're
too old. You've got the rheumatism
yourself. and you don't want to see
anybody else enjoy themselves. Talk
about sharks when you're where they
aro W. h~von,t eoon ono aiuco ~