400

sible here to find an advantage, taking a pull at this and a push at that: while 1t must not be forgotten that he 1s not neees-

1

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Tia C 7 e

T .

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THE LADDER AND PLANK.

5111’il)‘ slowest over who has most punts to negotiate, providing he have but once pull out and onc dive ; since running and - jump- ingare quicker

than swim- ming. It 1s not

unusual moa swimming ob- stacle race to aive the swim- mers an occi- stonal trotover dry ground, or up or down a ladder, thus cqualizing the chances of the lean and long- limbed with those of the fat, who float and swim the better. Thus, perhaps, after a bit of straight- away swimming the way may be blocked by a dam, and all must get out and scramble along at the side towards a ladder, up this, and off the plank to which it lcads,

1THE STRAND

‘ . Tl i AP

.

MAGAZLNLE.

into water once more. Now, men can only ascend an ordinary ladder in single file, so that he who reaches the foot of the ladder first must be first to make the cnsuing dive ; wherefore, a very eager race on bare feet for that ladder.

There should also be a row of barrels somewhere on the course ; a row of barrels so artfully lashed together that they turn

over inoany direction at a touch.

An incompetent committee has sometimes allowed diving under

these barrels, but the correct thing Is to send the competitors over i they can get over—unless they arc carrying the aforementionced bladders or barrels, when to get under will be something ditheult

- to do. DBut to get ozer this row of barrels and pass the bladder wnder, this is the thing which should be ordained, that all the people upon dry land might rejoice with a great laughter.

After this a little more plain swimming will lead, perhaps, to a miscellancous string of obstacles, all across @ boats, baskets, punts, harrels, canoes -— anything, and nearly cvervthing that floats — looscly tied together. Iere, more

than anvwhere, the swimmer requires ceneralship. Tis eves are below the level of the obstruction, and he has not the advantage of a general view. A good large broad-beamed boat, stern on, offers an opportunity not to be despised, affording a

THE DARRELS.

fairly casy pull up and promising a clear run through the barricade. Of all things, canoes and barrels are to be avoided, as well as all craft broadside on. Any green novice who has tried getting into a boat from the side