A Basket of Chips: An Autobiography

Basket of Chips, page 017

Philosophy and Hobbies undressed in a secluded spot and took to the river. In the mid- dle of the stream the current was very strong. We started out to swim across. It was a very easy matter for the other two, my uncle who is very near my own age, and my cousin, two years younger. They soon reached the other shore but I could not get out of the current. I called for help and the younger boy, seeing my trouble, called to the other that I was drowning. That alarmed me so much that I became very weak with fright. Both boys came to my aid and fought hard to save me. My parents were on the shore witnessing the struggles. My mother soon lost consciousness and my father helped by urging and encour- aging the boys all he could. There was no boat near and he could not swim. The boys realized the necessity of keeping out of my reach, as I was clutching and reaching with my hands. I sank to the bottom in spite of their attempts to rescue, but I struggled to the surface. Then my uncle swam near enough for me to grasp him with arms and legs, but he said, "let go, Jim, and I will save 99 You I sank again and the desire to stay at the bottom of the river was strong, but the thought of my parents in their frantic ef- forts, aroused me to another attempt. I struggled to the surface and the boys were there and shoved me several feet but I had stood all I could and wanted to rest. I relaxed to sink again but touched bottom. That feeling of earth underfoot with my head above water was the most thankful, thrilling sensation I have ever experienced. It was the touch that meant life to me. The boys helped me to the shore, and I sank down but never lost consciousness. They swam back, found a boat some dis- tance up the stream, recrossed, took me in and returned to the other side where my anxious parents were waiting. My father and mother received me with tearful affection and thankfulness. William or Thomas Taylor, J. T.`s great uncles. Interview by author with Wil- lard R. Harwood, 23 August 1982; Harwood, "National Cyclopedia," 1; Hamil- ton Gardner, History of Lehi (Salt Lake City: The Deseret News, 1913), 434-37. 17