OVERBOARD IN THE HUGHLI RIVER 



struggle for existence down in the depths of that mighty 

 river. 



The incident happened in this wise. We had been 

 lying some three weeks in the river, with the fierce May 

 sun beating down upon the ship, when one morning the 

 mate discovered that all her paint work was being blistered 

 and set the hands to work to give her a good wash down. 

 A platform had been rigged over her side and I was 

 standing on it drawing up water when suddenly I felt it give 

 beneath me, and before I had time to seize a rope I was 

 shot into the river, but falling feet downward with the body 

 quite erect, fortunately did not hurt myself. 



Striking the water in this fashion I went down a con- 

 siderable depth. However, being a strong swimmer and 

 well used to diving, the fact that I was overboard did not 

 disturb me in the least, and as soon as I ceased falling 

 struck out upwards towards the light showing dimly on the 

 surface. 



I had made a few strokes in this direction when my 

 progress was suddenly arrested, and though I still con- 

 tinued moving, I soon found it was in a direction parallel 

 to the surface, which was yet several feet above me, while 

 I seemed to be sinking lower every moment. 



I tried in vain to retain an upright posture ; for each 

 time I attempted it my legs were swept from under me 

 almost at right angles to the body and my neck thrust 

 forward till my chin rested on my chest, and presently I 

 felt myself being rolled over and over entirely at the mercy 

 of the waters and with no power to strike out with either 

 arms or legs. 



I now knew that I was drowning for I felt I could not 

 hold my breath much longer, nor resist the mysterious 

 power which, while forcing me along, was taking me deeper 

 down as I could tell from the increasing darkness all around 

 me as the volumes of water increased in intensity overhead. 



I was rapidly losing consciousness and in another 

 moment must have given up the struggle, when my side- 

 long and downward progress was arrested as suddenly as 

 it had commenced. I was conscious of a shock, causing 

 me to assume a vertical position, and the next instant I 

 was shot violently upwards, and found myself on the surface 



9 



