A WONDER SWIM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 282, 29 November 1927, Page 8

A WONDER SWIM.

SAKOAIPS FIGHT FOR LIFE.

marvellous endurance.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SUVA, November 23.

On a recent Tuesday morning a number of small fishing ermft, containing two natives,, Lop&w and faaeseina, set out from Sala'ilua, in Savaii, and nothing was hrard of them for three days. Oh the third evening, about 9 o'clock, Faaeseina suddenly staggered out of the sea and collapsed upon the beach. It took much nursing and some brandy to bring him round and out of danger. He told of how he and his companion kept fishing and moving out until a big wave swamped their canoe. Lepaio suggested they swim ashore, but as the land was some ten miles away they decided to stick to the canoe, which supported them. As Lepaio was a poor swimmer he was givdh the canoe as a support, while his companion swam alongside. The tide took them quite close to houses on the shore, but no one saw them. Things looked promising, but the wind changed and they were again carried to sea. Lopaio was feeling the strain, and began to drink water. He kept swimming away from the canoe, and eventually sank. Faaeseina, who had refrained from drinking anv salt water, was suffering the torments from thirst. He took the outrigger off the canoe and with the canoe made a slight support- He spent all the night trying to get inshore but in vain. He drifted on an iron-bound coast where landing meant death, but the tide changed and drew him away to safety. Then he commenced to drift back along the coast. At last a big wave washed him on to the rocks, and with his last ounce of strength he scrambled ashore.