Year: 1875

on and after were to be seen returning
toward the shore. Still onward went the swimmer.
rising upon the crest Of a wave, sinking for
moment out OF sight OF the anxious watchers on the
lugger AT halfpast i've Captain Webb was coming
steadily along wake keeping well up and dashing
through a swarm Of sea anemones | was kindly
asked to go the first boat from the luggcr TO Cap
tain Webb We reached him ut twenty minutes past
six, gave him strong beer and biscuit which he
drank and ate his back and then we left him in
good condition and without any signs OF fatigue
Twenty minutes after return to the sallboat wo
really had a 1t seemed as if tho Hamburg LLOYD
steamer, coming down the Channel was determined to
run down both our craft and the swimmer but after
immense amount OF fog horn blowing and
shouting her Captain changed his mind when almost
on top OF us and passed the starboard side Then
congratulated ourselves that all danger was
and that could make night of it" tho best
manner possible under the circumstances. But again
We were disappointed for the wind which began TO
reshen covered the deck with spray from the vessels
bow and made the ship almost untenantable. To re-
main IN the cabn--where hot fire burning for the
purpose of keeping Captain webb's coffee warmwas i'm
possible.


'srEcrAcLEs DUCKS"


The swimmer now essayedto pair OF spcctacles,
which provided for him by the referees, but the
remedy was so much than the disease that he
dropped them unregretfully into the deep


AS the South sandhcad, Lightship was sighted tho
pilot, Mr. Toms, put or to Captain Webb and they
converscd regarding the breeze The pilot declared
that the breeze would subsde sundown and the Cap
pursued his way hopefully At half past ne
partook of hot coffee and his progress then
stated be about four miles which had been
plished the rate OF and half miles per hour
The disappeared behind heavy bank of clouds in
tha the yvin nj tn tho avid
comfort of the swimmer, who still following
with unabated vigor. The South Fore
land lights began to show out clearly
the cliffs, and aiter the Calais and
Cape Grlsnez lights deserted The lugger was oc
casonally put about to permit of those board get
ting view of and cheering the swimmer, after which
she started again her About twenty minutes
past sudden squa OF rain struck us, and thick
mist followed through which unable to see the
light the small boat The rain came down pitilessly
for about an hour; and when ended looking
port quarter detected in the gloom the gallant swim
mer and his escort close upon With the cessation
of the increase In tho force of the wind
Bearings again taken but it time before
the exact location OF Calais light could be settled The
taking of cross bearings impossible The
now crested and white caps appearc. ~ les. At
forty-sx minutes past eleven ne lugger
hove to, near the Captains boat "hee ice was
heard or in the darkness hailing- q, george"
To this was returned, SAY, ay." Then Of
Captain Webb was heard as he ros, the top of
wave, and said, good naturedly 81 thh.O must
up; there's TOO much for comfort" He swan
up to the small boat and without assistance vaulted
into it, The ugger hailed and picked the party up.
As Captain Webb jumped nimbly over the gunwale he
was received with hearty cheer, and went down into
the cabin where he rubbed down and then he went
TO bed


Our pilot then decided to TO Calais and We
reached there ut 430 this morning. l took the frs
mail boat back to Dover IN company with Captain
Webb and is only fair to state that he did not show
half us much fatigue as felt