I was assured that several who had tried had had narrow escapes from drowning.

While the utter absurdity of the statements was self-evident I decided I would give myself a practical demonstration.

To be perfectly safe I purchased a clothes-line, then, hiring a row-boat, went as far away from shore as was desirable, undressed, tied one end of the rope around the seat, the other around my body, and--jumped in.

I did not sink.

Far from it.