A Terrible Coward | Page 3

Mark Penelly's fate; but no--as he neared the gate in
the Shangles he could be seen to turn over upon his back, keeping his

head well out of the water, paddling with his hands, and feet foremost,
showing from time to time amongst the foam, literally shooting like a
canoe right between the rocks, to float directly after in smooth water,
and calmly swim round towards the shore.
The feat had been seen hundreds of times; every swimmer who had
attained manhood could do it; and at times it was hard work to keep
back the venturesome boys. But no matter when it was done there was
always a cheer for the brave young fellow who took the leap, and who
was now seen to alter his mind, and make for a fishing lugger a quarter
of a mile away--one which was just coming in from the fishing-ground
miles away.
"Huh, Harry Paul," said one of a group of dark, weather-tanned
fishermen, to a fair-haired, clear-skinned young fellow of two or three
and twenty; who had just thrown his straw-hat upon the rocks, showing
his crisp, short, yellowish hair, and broad, white forehead. "Going to
have a swim?"
"Yes," said the young man quietly, as he proceeded to divest himself of
his neckerchief and let loose his thick white throat; "nice night for it."
"Where are you going, lad?" said another, for somehow they took a
great interest in his proceedings.
"Oh, I thought of swimming out to James's boat and back, or else
coming back in her. She seems to have plenty of fish."
"Ay, lad, plenty," said another; "they've been signalling that they're
'most full. But when are you going to take the jump, lad, eh?"
"I don't know," said Harry quietly, as he went on preparing for his
bathe; "perhaps never."
"I wonder at you, Master Harry," said another, a grey-headed old
fisherman. "Here's you, son of the biggest owner here in Carn Du, a
young chap as can swim like a seal, and yet never had the pluck to take
the big leap."

"Yes," said the first speaker, "a dive as there's dozens of boys o' fifteen
and sixteen ready to do if they'd let 'em."
"Ay," said the grey-haired old fellow, "that they would. Why, I done it
when I was fourteen and a half."
"Mark. Penelly says as you're the biggest coward as ever stepped," said
another maliciously.
"Oh! never you mind what Mark Penelly says, Master Harry," said the
grey-haired man. "He's jealous; that's about what he is. He's 'feared
you'll go and do the dive better than him. And it's my opinion, seeing
what a swimmer you are, as you would beat him all to fits."
"So I think," said another, who had not yet spoken; and he winked at
his companions as he thrust his hands a little farther down into his
capacious pockets.
"Go on, and do it to-night, Master Harry," said the old fellow. "Don't
you be bet. The tide's just right for it, and if I was you I'd just show
Mark Penelly as he knows nothing about it."
The young man went on calmly divesting himself of his outer clothing
while this talk went on, and though there was a slight flush on his
cheeks he did not speak a word.
"He'll do it," said the man with his hands in his pockets. "He'll do it;
you see if he don't. Mas'r Harry's made up his mind. He's just made up
his mind, he have, and he's going to do it."
"I'll lay a ounce o' baccy he does it better than Mark Penelly. I wish he
was here to see him do it."
"Ay, to be sure," said the old grey-haired man. "He's going to do it--
now aren't you, Mas'r Harry? I feel kinder quite glad of it, lad, for I
taught you to swim."
"To be sure you did, Tom Genna," said the young man, smiling, "and I

hope I haven't disgraced my master."
"Not you, lad; there is not a finer swimmer nowhere," said the old man
enthusiastically; "and I'm glad you've made up your mind at last to take
the dive."
"I've not made up my mind," said the young man coolly.
"Not made up your mind!" cried several.
"No," replied the bather.
"Why, you said just now as you would do it!" cried the man with his
hands in his pockets.
"Ay, so he did," was chorused.
"Not I," said Harry quietly; "and if you will all clear off, and let me
have my swim in peace, I shall be much obliged."
"Why, you are a coward, then," said the man with his hands in his
pockets, and to show his disgust he began to sprinkle the boulders
about with tobacco-juice.
"I suppose I