FIREARMS, USE AND ABUSE OF THEM. 133 



there would have been no witnesses to the fact but 

 our two servants. But, I hear it said, how was it 

 that you were not drowned ? To this I answer : 

 "We were both brought up at Eton, and having there 

 learnt to swim like ducks and dive like otters, we 

 did not lose our heads, or open our mouths and 

 splutter about and get them filled with water, but 

 took matters coolly, and thus managed to keep our 

 heads above water." Luckily we had put our guns 

 and ammunition, and everything that was heavy and 

 cumbrous, into the other boat, before my rash com- 

 panion made the insane attempt that so nearly did 

 for us. Had there been three of us, or one that 

 could not swim, there is little doubt but that some 

 one would have been drowned. It would have been 

 difficult to drown my companion, for he was a very 

 strong man, and one of the best possible swimmers ; 

 but I, from having had a broken leg, and being 

 lumbered up with my boots and mackintosh and 

 such like, was comparatively helpless. Having, how- 

 ever, in my earlier days been a good swimmer, gave 

 me confidence, and I have every reason to say 

 " Floreat Etona ; " and I think, good reader, you will 

 agree with me, that it was nothing less than " touch 

 and go" under Constance Bridge. 



