CHAPTER VIII.

SWIMMING.

[Illustration: Fig. 85. The Diving Tree.]

Lake Placid was a favorite swimming place for us. We used to plunge in
from the branches of a tree which overhung the water a little ways above
the lagoon and made a natural springboard. We could all swim like ducks,
except Dutchy, who couldn't do anything but paddle. However, Uncle Ed was
an expert, and he took Dutchy in hand and soon made a pretty good swimmer
out of him. He also taught us some fancy strokes. Of course I took no
record of these lessons. You would hardly expect me to sit on the bank
with a book in hand jotting down notes while the rest were splashing
around in the cool water having the best of fun in the world, and even if
I had, I wouldn't republish the notes here, because whoever heard of a boy
learning to swim while reading a book on the subject? A beginner had
better leave books alone and plunge right into the water. He will soon
learn to keep himself afloat and can then practise any fancy strokes that
he sees others try. Then, again, don't try to learn in shallow water,
because you will never do it. Of course it doesn't pay to jump into water
that is over your head unless there is a good swimmer near by to help you
out. But you will never learn to swim until you have become accustomed to
putting your head under water. You can not swim with a dry face. The first
time we went swimming, we couldn't persuade Dutchy to try it. The water
was deep right up to the very bank and he had never been in over his head.
Instead he sat up in the diving tree swinging his feet and trying to hide
the fact that he was having a dull time.