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A Japanese miscellany - University of Oregon

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276 <strong>Japanese</strong> Miscellany<br />

" I paddled towards the mountains, hour after<br />

hour. Once more 1 fell asleep ; and once again<br />

a sea-bird struck me. All day I paddled. To-<br />

wards evening 1 could tell, from the look <strong>of</strong> the<br />

mountains, that 1 was approaching them; but 1<br />

knew that it would take me two days to reach<br />

the shore. 1 had almost ceased to hope when I<br />

caught sight <strong>of</strong> a ship, — a big junk. She was<br />

sailing towards me ; but I saw that, unless 1 could<br />

swim faster, she would pass me at a great dis-<br />

tance. It was my last chance : so I dropped the<br />

plank, and swam as fast as I could. I did get<br />

within about two cho <strong>of</strong> her : then 1 shouted.<br />

But I could see nobody on deck ; and 1 got no<br />

answer. In another minute she had passed be-<br />

yond me. The sun was setting ; and 1 despaired.<br />

All <strong>of</strong> a sudden a man came on deck, and<br />

shouted to me — : ' Don't try to swim ! don't<br />

tire yourself — ! we are going to send a boat !<br />

' 1<br />

saw the sail lowered at the same time ; and 1 felt<br />

so glad that new strength seemed to come to me ;<br />

— I swam on fast. Then the junk dropped a<br />

little boat ; and as the boat came towards me, a<br />

man called out — : 'Is there anybody else — ?<br />

have you dropped anything ? ' I answered —<br />

:<br />

'I had nothing but a plank.' ... In the same

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