The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-03-07
1t Was ID Degrees Below Freezing
Won $50 and Says He Would
Do 1t Again For the Money
Took Him Four and
Half Minutes.


H. Davis, DR.. Bates and James Fallon,
all we'll known Setauket men, all four
having met on Sunday for the purpose of
settling the free silver question, the South
African troubles and the Venezuelan
puzzle, as is the custom III Setauket every
sunday afternoon. They passed from these
topics to consideration OF the case of a
horse which had few days before, broken
through the ice, been hauled out and had
died of the effects of the cold bath.
THAT horse was mighty poor animal
or he wouldn't have died of little cold
water, said Fallon.
what are you talking about?" said
ten minutes.
There's where you're off. Davis" put
in Sickles. I've been in the water my
self in winter, and tell you man can
stand good deal of cold water, more than
a horse"
THAT amt common sense remarked
rdlloH. y iolse iiaS Sot HIS tllck niue
and hal. to keep him warm. How about
that doctor?'
'Water like that the horse fell into, "
said the doctor would very quickly eX-
haust man. ! doubt if man could swim
20 strokes in it.
"l'll bet l can swim across Setauket
lake." said Sickles.
Bet you can't" cried the others in
unison.
''Put up your money, and I'll do it to-
night
Nonsense" exclaimed DIR. Bates
even if you got over you'd be so injured
by the exposure that your life would be in
danger"
''I'll bet that | can swim across that lake
tonight and not hurt myself If you
fellows have got enough sporting blood to
make it worth while, speak up
'I'll put $40 on, said Davis.
''l'Il 20 another 500 put in Fallon,
and DR.. Bates said that as long as the others
were going in he might as well, though he
warned Sickles against it,
"rhats all right" said the young man
'I'll take the risk and the bet. My $50
will he ready. I'll meet you at half past
seven at Davis hotel. I'll undress there
and swim across to Hudsons mill. One of
you fellows can be there with blanket
and pair of shoes for me. v
At the hour named the four men met at
the appointed place. s;ickles quickly I'M
dressed, wrapped himself in a blanket and
started for the shore on run. Davis had
preceded him to get ready a boat in case of
necessity. The thermometer stood at Is
degrees. 1t was light enough for the men
to see the outlines of IIudson's mill
plainly.
'I'll make pee line for that, said
Sickles, ''and I'll get there pretty fast
All ready! Here goes
He flung off the blanket and ran out
upon the ice until it gave away under his
feet, then plunged forward head first
There was great splash, snort, loud
putting and then the sound of water pat
ing under the rapid strokes of the swim
mer.
How is it out there?' called one of the
men on shore.
"Whoop! Wet-puff-yuff get around
to the other side"
The three ran around, carrying blanket
and shoes, and waited, calling out from
time to time to make sure the swimmer
was all right. Each time the answer came
back strong and CHEEKY Presently
voice from out Of the water cried;
Hey Pm against ice!' And then:
'AIl right. Pm past it. Here's bottom
Give me Il hand, you fellows"
They helped him up on the fringe of ice,
wrapped him in the blanket put on his
shoes, poured whiskey down him and ran
around to the hotel. Then they asked him
bow he felt.
Elegant n.he replied. "Havent felt Us
much alive in ten years. At first when |
struck the water, felt a sort Of electric
shock, needless pricking into me and all
that sort of thing, but that was soon over,
and all the rest was easy. What time did
make?'
-Four minutes and Il half, " replied one
of the others who had kept the time,
The bet wasn't paid Immediately, but
when after three days, Sickles was still in
fine condition, without even cold in the
head, the Others settled up. By way of
putting fine finishing touch of contrast
to his swim Sickles went out the following
night and walked over the entire course
which he had swum on the previous night
1t was frozen to safe bearing thickness -
New York Sun.
AGigantic Undertaking.
al I.~l, a