My life : a record of events and opinions - Wallace-online.org

MY EARLIEST MEMORIES 23immediately. Coming to the surface half dazed, Isplashed about and went under again, when mybrother, who was four and a half years older, jumpedin and pulled me out. I do not think I had actuallylost consciousness, but I had swallowed a good dealof water, and I lay on the grass for some time beforeI got strength to dress, and by the time I got home Iwas quite well. It was, I think, the first year, if notthe first time, I had ever bathed, and if my brotherhad not been there it is quite possible that I mighthave been drowned. This gave me such a fright thatthough I often bathed here afterwards, I always wentin where the water was shallow, and did not learn toswim, however little, till several years later.Few small towns (it had then less than sixthousand inhabitants) have a more agreeable publicplayground than the fine open space called Harthamwith the level valley of the Lea stretching away toWare on the east, the town itself just over the riveron the south, while on the north, just across the riverBeane, was a steep slope covered with scattered firtrees, and called the Warren, at the foot of which wasa footpath leading to the picturesque little village andold church of Bengeo. This path along the Warrenwas a favourite walk of mine either alone or with aplaymate, where we could scramble up the bank,climb up some of the old trees, or sit comfortablyupon one or two old stumpy yews, which had suchtwisted branches and stiff spreading foliage as toform delightful seats. This place was very littlefrequented, and our wanderings in it were neverinterfered with.About three-quarters of a mile from the centre ofthe town, going along West Street, was a mill calledHorn's Mill, which was a great attraction to me. It