The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-08-24
HOW II FEELS TO DROwy
Hhe Experience ola Young Man WHO
was Rescued from Horrible
Death


Death.
Cassclls Magazine.
Drowning is pleasant death" is
remark constantly made by those
who never gulped down salt water into
the delicate tissues OF their lungs.
was bathing in rough weather on the
oeacn oil watering place il, Northern
france. swept out to sea, | struggled.
sank, became insensible, and was saved
oy the courage and skill of a gallant
trenchman-w wrote his name that
day In my mothers New Testament as
memorial OF the rescue. This was
all. The circumstances were ordinary.
Thousand such may occur every wear
Pyschologically, however, there are
points OF interest which arise prin2i-
pally from the fact that | remember
all that happened during period of
tune which may have been four or five
minutes, but which appeared to be as
many hours
Almost Immediately | entered the
water the understanding roar of the
waves struck me as desolatiry and
sorrowful-full of foreboding and
terror. Ashamed of this fancy. | in
stlnctively but foolishly fought my way
seaward, and was promptly out of nv
depth, not because | intended to run
any risk, for | could not swim, but be-
cause the strong current had scooped
out hollow in the sandy bottom,
which had six feet OF water on the top
OF 1t. Iumbled over by the waves, the
concentrated agony Of the moment
wncn the water closed over nv head
Tor the hrst time cannot be described.
1t was the bi5terest point of the
stugglc. Cruel and omnipotcnt force,
without warning or reason, surrounded
me, and my frantic and determined
Efforts to escape only increased the
pentu passion to cease holding nv
breath and to inhalc once more. | felt
instlnctlVely, as | writhed in the cold.
black water, that if once | succumbed
10 the temptation TO cXpel my breath,
which almost burst the ribs in nv
angry efforts to retain it, the end
would come: that should be compcl
led to breathe inward while covered
with the pressing salt water. at this
time must have given way and the
dreaded stream Of air-bubblcs rose to
the surface.
A few weeks before ] had watched
inc drowning OF cat in the clear
water OF running stream. The
had tough with upturned face for
liberty men the bubbles rose in a
silver fountain from the corners OF it's
mouth stood at the bottom swayine
in the aAtIc current turned over, and
afHcr one final struggle gave up the
ghost. This scene came vividly before
me. thought OF this wretched cat,
and was half amused to think that nv
case tas the case of the cat. There
was 70 fear. The actual circumstances
filed my attention and the Diteous
longtg TO escape and the inability OF
my drort5 suddenly became subordi-
mated 70 the feeling Of in.olerable pain.
Eyes, 'hest, limbs were all one solid
para.
ms then touched the sandy bot
tom v tn my fingers and knee, and
| hastily Matched a handful OF sand and
water l., thrust In my mouth to end
this struggle for air. All | wanted
was to end The pain. No thought OF
death, except as an interesting and
| immateiial factor in tho situation
came over me. 1t is true that re-
men. c3red that | should be missed
when dinner time came and ! was
founl missing and thinking of the
homo people, thought of blue tie
had left on a chest Of drawers in nv
bedroom, which had intended to put
on. Then, suddenly, found my eyes
abWe water 70" second, and saw
two blurred fingers near. On this
salk again, and was conscious OF re.
laing effort and sinking out of con-
scous state to one in which one dreamed
without knowing what the dreams
w,rc.
.Nrom this | awoke In great pain in
te centre OF crowd on the beach,
hither my rescuer had borne me.
ly first thought was one Of infinite
I'D unreasoning shame, but the nausea
aused by swallowing so much salt
ater quickly brought me back to
| srth AGAIN