96 A YEAR WITH A WHALER^ 



without ever looking up. I hoped that this 

 morning his magazine would prove of absorbing 

 interest. Gabriel and the cooper were intent 

 upon their work. As for the sailors, I told them 

 I was going to try to swim ashore and if I were 

 discovered and they had to lower for me, I asked 

 them to hurry as little as possible so I might 

 have every chance to get away. 



For my adventure I wore a blue flannel shirt, 

 dungaree trousers, and my blue cap. I tied my 

 shoes together with a rope yarn, which I slipped 

 baldric-fashion over my shoulder. In the belt at 

 my waist I carried a sailor's sheath knife. .With 

 this I had a foolish idea that I might defend my- 

 self against sharks. Without attracting atten- 

 tion, I slipped over the bow, climbed down by 

 the bob-stays, and let myself into the sea. I let 

 myself wash silently astern past the ship's side 

 and struck out for shore, swimming on my side 

 without splash or noise, and looking back to 

 watch developments aboard. 



I am convinced to this day that if I had not 

 been in the water, old Landers would have kept 

 his nose in that magazine for an hour or so and 



