Life on a Wisconsin Farm 



to reach high enough, and, of course, the weight 

 of my arm and the stroke against the over- 

 leaning stern of the boat shoved me down and 

 I sank, struggHng, frightened and confused. 

 As soon as my feet touched the bottom, I 

 slowly rose to the surface, but before I could 

 get breath enough to call for help, sank back 

 again and lost all control of myself. After sink- 

 ing and rising I don't know how many times, 

 some water got into my lungs and I began to 

 drown. Then suddenly my mind seemed to 

 clear. I remembered that I could swim under 

 water, and, making a desperate struggle toward 

 the shore, I reached a point where with my 

 toes on the bottom I got my mouth above the 

 surface, gasped for help, and was pulled into 

 the boat. 



This humiliating accident spoiled the day, 

 and we all agreed to keep it a profound secret. 

 My sister Sarah had heard my cry for help, 

 and on our arrival at the house inquired what 

 had happened. "Were you drowning, John ? I 

 heard you cry you couldna get oot." Lawson 

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