TAKEN DOWN.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3154, 10 September 1892, Page 6 (Supplement)

TAKEN DOWN.

—.— Till-: NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR SWIMMING CIIAMPION.SHLL', ISB'J. (A.S TOI.I) i:v OS'li OK THH UOIII'KTITORS). Oil the day before the Amateur Aquatic OLuvu! pi otisfi i |j We were .yarning in tlie b''atsh>:d wiiile preparing for a dip. There were six or seven of us, swiftest swimmers in the place, All pretty nearly equal, and each hoped to win the race. We, hud got our swimming sear on all ready to dive in When a simple country joker—quite a lad—so small and thin, Came and asked us if we'd let liim take his t'.£,s off in the shed, I answering for the party, said: "With pleasure, go ahead.'' We looked at one another and then we smiled at him. Then I told In in we were going for a pretty lotigish swiin, He said he'd like to join us if we were not going far, I saul " We're bound for yonder yacht." lte ansuered " Kight you are." Then fearing he might come to pcrief, I said, '• V'ou understand If you lind vou want assistance, just sing out, I '11 lend a hand." Then we all set oil' together and we watched the country "bloke, And we laughed and made grimaces at his slow ami funny stroke. Well, we reached our destination and we got aboard the yacht. We had swain out well and easy until then, I had tnrgot That we meant to put the pace on when we started for the shed So turning to the stranger, I apologised and said, "I forg.it, young man, lo tell yon, that we're going to lace ashore. No doult you : ve, had about enough and don't want any more, You'd liett"r stay aboard until we fetch ynu ill the boat.'' He smili d and said "Oh, don't mind thank-, I'll keep myself afloat." Well, we started for the boatshed, each doing his level best. Some twenty yards or so from home I looked back at the rest, But I couldn't see the stranger till I turned towards the shore And such a nasty jar! By jove, 1 never got before. He had left us all behind hiin and was sittinir on the sand. Next day, he scooped the pool and took the championship inland, TUAKANfiI.