ObLSTACLLE RACLES.

459

SWIMMING OPSTACLE

has tried to take a large inflated bladder

under water with him tell of the joys of

THE BRIDGE.

these feats.

Or the rules

may dictate that the competitor must climb

over the obstacle bladder or barrel to lose 1t 1 the

process. — Indeed, special rules and

directions must be made for almost

cvery obstacle race,

the most meri- tortous sct being that which entails

most misery upon the competitor. Obstacles exist- s m the ordinary course arc not altogether wanting Ina swimming race properly planned. There may be a

himself and push his under, taking care not

RACE—THI START.

wooden bridge, which the swimmers may be made to chmb over, or a pontoon bridge

ing

the casiest

may be put down for the occasion. Somcthing with rails on it is pre- ferable to the barbarous tastes of the scoffing multitude, since they afford an additional awkwardness and tend towards indecision and the breaking

of toes. If this bridge be at a shallow part 1t 1s also sometimes

considered an improvement, since an Inconsiderate and vigorous dive may lead to personal battery in the bed of the stream.

Next, perhaps; the hardy adven- turers mect a row of punts, moored across the waterway, often an irregular row, demanding generalship in select- pomt of attack. For, by

properly sclecting one’s direction, it is pos-

e = : .t e e L AN =

M S

I~

THE PUNTS.