The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-03-08

W put W tllC
some seven or eight had 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 clambered into tho fore-chains for
a dive AS paused a moment to take
breath and cool my perspiring body
slightly before going In, looked down
upon the merry scene Of which had
been the chief instigator.
Below me, clinging with one hand 70
some ropes ends thrown over to them,
and actively spattering 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 yying with
one another in feats and prsnksi div
ing under each other, catching hold OF
feet and pulling some other down, and
ducking one another unSwares-
Away out some hundred yardsTor
more. Billy Dipton was leisurely swim
ming about, rolling over and over por-
poise-fashion. floating and enjoying
himself hugely. As soon as he saw
mo ready 10 dive he called TO me 70
Join him aud see how handsome the
ship looked from a distance
Stay where you are, Billy, and
ses If can't fetch you before / rise"
cried, raising my hands above my
head for the plunge
"An right" cried Bill. treading
water; 81 shsn't move Come ahead-"
Overheard / went, several OF the
loOkers-on expressed their doubts -
70 any ones ability 70 swim 30 far
under water, and Watching nv prog
ress the while A ohoer groeted my
appearance at tho surface whore l
rose beyond him Crying to me that
he could beat that Billy struck on,
for the ship TO provo his words-
lie soon gained the chains and jolr-
ingly calling 70 me that he believed /
had doubled the distance By going
farther out, took in his breath and
shot overheard like an arrow So
cleanly did he enter the uater that tho
slightest possible ripple rufied tho
surface OF the deep as It closed over
him 1 waited with watchful eyas for
hs reappearanoe. i expected TO see
him rise between mo aud the ship. for
the distance was so grsat that 1t had
taxed my own powers, and thought J
had him beaten- --.-.
Even rs l was thinking this cheer
from the foreoastle warned me that no
had como up, and turning my head ]
beheld him some Ave or six yards be-
yond me, cheery smile upon his faoa
and his head cooked on one side as II
T. say: Beat that, my boyr'
Without n word i struck out to the
vessel gain, not a little vexed at be-
ing outdone, and determined 10 go 50
fur outside him next time rs 10 deter
him IL possible from trying again 10
beat me. 49, --.g.z-<--.i.
Reaching tho ship I o,ambexed up
the side and took my plaoe In the up
per chains ready FOR the plunge Tho
captain and mate being doubtless as
hard pushed for amusement as we poor
fellows forward, were leaning over the
Quartor-ran and watching oar sport
with interest 80 -. 49, -,
" Go it, Gusp' cried John Butler, as
he climbed out OF tho water 10 got a
bettcr view. Beat him this time so
he won't want 70 try again" Then as
he surveyed the distance at which Billy
lay. he added: My stars, but that's a
long dive! eh, Briton?" turning TO the
old sailor who had warned Us against
going into the wator.
Yes" returned ha.' "a deal too
long. IL John Shark was 70 como
along now, what chance would Billy
have TO get on boards The old man
must be loony to let you youngsters go
into tho water in such a sharks para-
disc rs this- II had my way I'd mast
head the whole biliH' OF you"
Go it. you old growi your re.ort-
ed John. Il suppose you never had
swim IN your lie, 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 thoy
are. We haven't seen ono siuco we
got among the islands, and I'm blest
u think there are any heroabouts"
Standing there IN the chains, with
one hand upon the shoer-pole already
20 lct go and plunge, / hoard Briton's
remark aud Johns reply. Something
IN the Old fellows manner struck mo
moro Than tho formor warniRE had,
and aS i listened 10 Johns answer,
could not help feeling that tho older
sailor had all tho reason on his side.
The swirnmors had begun 70 come on
board and dress / almost rnado up nay
mind to stay on board. and yield tho
palm OF diving to Billy.
But they wero al watching me, and
prido whispered: "Pshaw! Don't
show the whito feather nowi There
arc no sharks about It Won't taIse
throe minutes 10 get outside whore
Billy is, and swim back TO the ship.
Then you needn't go in again
SGn / hesitated. whiIe my chip
mstos waited TO see what would do.
Mover mind" thought I, (. lot 'em
wait I'll stay on board the .hIp
l turned to call Billy In Before
could speak he sang out 20 me:
.'Come, Gus, Tn tired OF vaitingi II
you're going to give 1t up. say 30, and
I'll come out Two been IN long
enough"
That setsled r. aGive II mp
kevern thought !, the whole current
OF my feelings changing at the tone of
his banter. and, suiting the action TO
the thought, L made ready 20 dive.
drew in my breath, and gathered for the
plunge In another moment should
have been overheard. / was in the
very act Of springing. when tho start
ling cry Of "a shark. a shark can4o
from the forecastIe.
- Come out of the water. all, Come
out Billy Hurry, there's no time 10
Loser cried half score Of voices.
Most OF the few men still in the water
we're close beside the vessel. They
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