They never
seemed to tire of this sport, and from the great heat of the water in
the South Seas, they could remain in it nearly all day without feeling
chilled. Many of these children were almost infants, scarce able to
walk; yet they staggered down the beach, flung their round, fat little
black bodies fearlessly into deep water, and struck out to sea with as
much confidence as ducklings.
The other game to which I have referred was swimming in the surf. But
as this is an amusement in which all engage, from children of ten to
grey-headed men of sixty, and as I had an opportunity of witnessing it
in perfection the day following, I shall describe it more minutely.
I suppose it was in honour of their guest that this grand swimming-match
was got up, for Romata came and told the captain that they were going
to engage in it, and begged him to "come and see."
"What sort of amusement is this surf-swimming?" I inquired of Bill, as
we walked together to a part of the shore on which several thousands of
the natives were assembled.
"It's a very favourite lark with these 'xtr'or'nary critters," replied
Bill, giving a turn to the quid of tobacco that invariably bulged out
of his left cheek. "Ye see, Ralph, them fellows take to the water as
soon a'most as they can walk, an' long before they can do that anything
respectably, so that they are as much at home in the sea as on the
land. Well, ye see, I s'pose they found swimmin' for miles out to sea,
and divin' fathoms deep, wasn't exciting enough, so they invented this
game o' swimmin' on the surf.
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