The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-23

other lands or waters do; they sink ike
lead. With knees drawn up they drop
in the ocean, their object being TO get
beneath the coin and seize 1t In their
hands as 1t descends. OF course when
there Is only one coin thrown for num-
Der of lads. the scramble Is more lively,
and frequently the piece OF silver Is not
captured until II reaches the bottom.
Until every passenger has left the steamer
the urchins remain by its SIDE And so
on sailing day, they follow the craft at
least half mile from the dock some
OF the lads not returning 10 land until
hours after they went into the ocean.
II is said that these youths remain
six and seven hours at q time In the
water. Between spells Of swimming
they float around resting as comfortably
as II summing themselves upon the dock,
and II is even asserted that Kanaka
boy has been seen taking a nap while thus
lying in the cradle OF the deep.
A few days ago I told one of the little
tots that on the day following I would
come down to the dock with some friends.
and we would all be provided with an
abundance Of nickels. The news was
spread, and when we put in an appear
ance at least twenty-five urchins were
lolling about on the pier. Our approach
was signal for an equal number OF
others. who. with n shake, let fall what
little raiment iDcumbered them, then
splash splash splash, off the dock the
half hundred yellow-brown bodies went
into the water. head first, showing their
heels as they took a dive underneath
then reappearing with the perennial grin.
disclosing mouthful of white teeth
and their large eyes. ever on the watch
for the hand that might distribute large
esses. Not one OF the lads was over
twelve years OF age, and the majority
were nearer five.
A handful OF nfckels was thrown into
the water; fifty bodies sank at once like
lead; fifty heads disappeared from view
the straight hair on them spreading out
on the water for second resembling
so many suba1ueOus chrysanthemums.
Then one by one up they came, each
lucky lad holding his nickel I'D TO view
as he rose above the surface, then plac-
ing it In his mouth for safe-keeping.
Soon fifty grins were visible above the
surface, the possessors Of them treading
wafer while waiting for more money.
Coins were then tossed sngly into the
crowd, and as each fell three or four
Of the Kanaka lads nearest to II would
drop out OF sight. A lively commotion
in the water would indicate submarine
scrimmage; then all would reappear,
vanquished and victor looking each as
happy as the other, and all ready for
fresh spois
I noticed one little urchin on the out
skirts OF the crowd who was not getting
any OF the nickels. He was chubby
little baby and would have looked much
more comfortable in mammals cradle than
in water thirty feet deep Several times
I threw a nickel as near to him as pos
sible but each time his wee head only
went few inches below the surface, a
larger boy captured the prize, and he
bodied up with his large eyes expressing
more and more disappointment at each
miss. Finally the tears began to roll
down his cheeks and mingle with the
brine of the deep. A lad lext to him, |
how my attention was attracted. |
called out:
He no can swim much. He just learn. |
Me fix him"
Saying which he took nickel from his ,
mouth and handed It to the cherub. A I
smile OF contentment dawned through !
the tears. He lifted up his tiny hand,
showed his prize to me. then placing It
between his rows of infant worries pad
died TO the landing. A man had to help
him out Baby hardly knew enough
TO put on his trousers; he toddled away
as happy as a king. At my request
native called out to the lads to range
themselves on the next pier, about one
hundred yards away. They were TO
swim to where we stood. the prize TO be
two bits, or a quarter of a dollar. What
sport II was At the signal the boys
started and It was a fair race from the
moment the handkerchief fell. Several
tried TO race under water,
others came hand over hand. turning as
thew darted through the water first on
one side then on the other. The boy
who won was a bright little fellow OF
eight years. He swan beneath the sur
face half the distance then came hand
over hand the rest Of the way. The last
arrival was not ten feet away from the
winner at the finish.