Jack
was a remarkably good swimmer and diver, so that after his plunge we
saw no sign of him for nearly a minute; after which he suddenly
emerged, with a cry of joy, a good many yards out from the shore. My
spirits were so much raised by seeing all this that I, too, hastily
threw off my garments and endeavoured to imitate Jack's vigorous bound;
but I was so awkward that my foot caught on a stump, and I fell to the
ground; then I slipped on a stone while running over the sand, and
nearly fell again, much to the amusement of Peterkin, who laughed
heartily, and called me a "slow coach," while Jack cried out, "Come
along, Ralph, and I'll help you." However, when I got into the water, I
managed very well, for I was really a good swimmer and diver too. I
could not, indeed, equal Jack, who was superior to any Englishman I
ever saw; but I infinitely surpassed Peterkin, who could only swim a
little, and could not dive at all.
While Peterkin enjoyed himself in the shallow water and in running
along the beach, Jack and I swam out into the deep water, and
occasionally dived for stones. I shall never forget my surprise and
delight on first beholding the bottom of the sea. As I have before
stated, the water within the reef was as calm as a pond; and, as there
was no wind, it was quite clear from the surface to the bottom, so that
we could see down easily even at a depth of twenty or thirty yards.
When Jack and I dived into shallower water, we expected to have found
sand and stones, instead of which we found ourselves in what appeared
really to be an enchanted garden.
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