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 beginning it will be found difficult, as you can scarce forbear using your hands. Take especial care that you do not, through fear, put down one of your legs to feel for the bottom : for, though you need not fear sinking, such a motion of the foot is the ready way to make you do so. You must also take care not to lift your knees too high, nor sink your hips and sides too low, but keep your body extended in the same straight line as already directed.

The great evil in floating is, that one cannot see properly what direction they are taking, and if one floats a long time without turning, he may come in contact with some substance and be injured; therefore, it is necessary to turn on the belly frequently, and by changing from the back to the belly alternately, it will afford such relief as to enable him to continue a long time in the water, before he is exhausted.

When you mean to turn while swimming in the ordinary way, it requires no farther trouble then to incline your head to the right or left side which ever you wish to turn on, and throwing aside the water with the arm and leg that is undermost, in the same manner as one would do were he wishing to turn himself in bed, or on the floor: