Ye better let the boys go for ye." "No," said I, "I'm going myself," and I began to take off my clothes.
The colored fellows didn't like it much, for it seemed like taking their business away from them; but they couldn't help it, and so they just sat and waited to see how things would turn out.
"You'd better take a look through the glass, before you dive," said Rectus, "and choose what you're going to get." "I'm not going to be particular," I replied.

"I shall get whatever I can." "The tide's pretty strong," said the captain.

"You've got to calkelate fur that." I was obliged for this information, which was generous on his part, considering the circumstances, and I dived from the bow, as far out as I could jump.

Down I went, but I didn't reach the bottom, at all.

My legs grazed against some branches and things, but the tide had me back to the boat in no time, and I came up near the stern, which I seized, and got on board.
Both the colored boys were grinning, and the captain said: "Ye can't dive that-a-way, boss.