The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-01-25

well, ~ I'm not your son, and rs
you don't care what ! do. here goes"
said Billy, and sniting the action 70
the word, he sprang lightly 10 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
70 clear his sight Of the water which
drippcd from his hair. he gave an en-
conraging cheer 10 the rest and struck |
boldly out from the vessels side.
Emboldencd by his confidence. sew
eral more began taking oil their clothes
70 join the merry band who We're soon
tumbling about under the bow or
splashing water up at the lookcrs-on
above. was 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 ran out
and clambcrcd into the forc-chains for
dive. AS paused a moment to take
breath and cool my pcrspiring body
! slightly before going In, ! looked down
upon the merry scene Of which | 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 cx-
pericnced swimmers. Further on to-
ward the bow were three or four 9TH
crs more expert. who We're vying with
one another in fcats and pranks; div
ing under each other, catching hold OF
feet and pulling some other down, and
ducking one another unawarcs.
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 distance.
..Stay where you are, Billy, and
sec il can't fetch you before rise n
! cried. raising my hands above my
head for the plunge.
"All right" cried Bill. trcading
water; ~ shan't move. Come ahead.
Overheard | went. several OF the
lookers-on expressed their doubts al
to any ones ability TO swim so far
under water. and watching my prog
ress the while. A cheer greeted my
appearance ut the surface where
rose beyond him. Crying TO me thai
he could beat that, Billy struck Out
for the shipto prove his words.
lie soon gained the chains and jok
: ingly chilling TO me that he believed
had doubled the distance by going
:, farther out, took in his breath ant
shot overheard like an arrow. sc
clearly did he enter the water that thu
slightest possible ripple RULED tn
surface Of the deep as 1t closed owe
him. waited with watchful eyes TO
his temperance. expected TO Sc
: him rise between me and the ship. 70
the distance was so great that il ha
taxed my own powers, and ! thought
!, had him beaten.
Even as was thinking this chez
4 from the forecastle warned me that h
! had come up, and turning my head
;, bcheld him some five or six yards be
: You'd me, a CHEEKY smile upon his fac
4 and his head cooked on one side as
: TO say: BEAT that. my boy"
Nithor word struck out to tn
j vessel again, not a little vexed at b
I ing outdone, and determined to go :
I, far outside him next time rs to detc
! him II possible from trying again
i beat me.
!. Reaching the ship clambered Y
the side and took my place in the ul
!, per chains ready for the plunge. IL
y captain and mate being doubtless
Z hard pushed for amusement as we poo
\ fellows forward. were leaning over Il
quarter-rail and watching our spo
! with interest
u go il, GUST cried John Butler,
Il he climbed out Of the water TO get
u better view. Beat him this time
u he won't want to try again" Then
II he surveyed the distance at which Bill
or lay. he added: My stars, but that :
4 long dive! ch. Briton?' turning to Il
~ old sailor who had warned us again
y. going into the water.
at Yes" returned he, "a deal :
r. long. II John Shark was TO cor
along now, what chance would Bill
he have 10 get on board? The old mi
must be loony to let you youngsters
- into the water in such sharks par
= disc as this. II had my way Id ma
- head the whole bilin' OF you"
er go it, you old growl your rctol
up cd John. = l suppose you never h
cd swim in your life, and now you
%, too old. You've got the rhcumatis
be yourself. and you don't want to I
anybody else enjoy themselves. IL
N. about sharks when you're whore tn
mr. are. We haven't seen one since
ms got among the islands, and I'm BIZ
he IL think there are any hercabouts
as Standing there In the chains, VI
A. one hand mon the shecr-pOlc alrea