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tyerman and bennett : tahitian swimming, 1829.
tyerman and bennett : tahitian swimming, 1829.
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tyerman and bennett : tahitian swimming, 1829. |
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Feb. 28.
The wind having
been very light, and some-what variable, our progress has not been rapid,
but quite pleasant to the feelings of those of us who have been accustomed
to the motion of a ship.
This day one
of our finest store hogs fell overboard, not having yet got his " sea legs,"
We presume —
a happy phrase to express the oscillating gait of persons accustomed to
walk on deck with a motion corresponding to the swing of the vessel.
While the sailors
were lowering a boat to recover the unfortunate animal, two of our Tahitian
attendants leaped after it, and brought it close under the ship's side,
where they fastened a rope round its body, by which it was presently hauled
upon deck.
The dexterity
of these people in the water is surprising.
Men, women, and
children, can all swim and dive; indeed, in- fants are so early taught
these necessary accomplishments of a half-amphibious life that they sometimes
excel in the? before they can walk.
On a certain
occasion, as our missionary friends at Huahine, with their children, were
crossing the upper part of the bay at Fare, their canoe was suddenly upset,
when they and several helpless infants were plunged at once into deep water.
The queen, a
woman of vast bulk, being near at hand, and perceiving their danger, immediately
threw herself into the lagoon, swam to their assistance, and with her own
hands saved the life of one of the party from destruction.
A female servant
followed the children, caught them in her arms, and swam to shore^with
her rescued treasures, which she delivered safely intone hands of their
overjoyed parents, themselves just snatched from death by their wonted
intrepidity, habituaJ presence of mind, and fearlessness of peril, in situations
where the fear itself probably constitutes the chief part of the danger.
Page 269
(Off Owhyhee -
[Hawaii, according to the improved orthography])
One of our Tahitian
women being asked, while we were thus coasting, whether she could swim
on shore, replied, " O yes ; why not? —very easily !" — tthough we were
at least five miles from the land. .
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Journal Of Voyages And Travels By The Rev. Daniel Tyerman And George Bennett, Esq Deputed From The London Missionary Society To Visit Their Various Stations In The South Sea Islands, China, India, &c., Between The Years 1821 And 1829. Compiled From Original Documents By James Montgomery. : Frederick Westley And A.H.Davis, London, 1831. |
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