We also had rubber life-preservers to inflate at the more dangerous points.

Mine did me little good, as I soon found it was in my way and I never wore it; nor did Hillers wear his.

As we handled the oars of our boat we concluded it would be safer to do it in the best manner possible, and not be encumbered by these sausages under our elbows, but we always placed them behind us at bad places, ready for use; all the others, however, wore theirs and seemed to find no objection to them in the way of interference.

A cork jacket could be worn easier when rowing, and I would recommend it, but the thing of first importance is to have the right kind of boats, and know how to handle them.

An humble spirit is also a great safeguard.