Троє в човні крім собаки
Chapter 18
ThepoolunderSandfordlasher,justbehindthelock,isaverygoodplacetodrownyourselfin. Theundercurrentisterriblystrong,andifyouoncegetdownintoityouareallright. Anobeliskmarksthespotwheretwomenhavealreadybeendrowned,whilebathingthere; andthestepsoftheobeliskaregenerallyusedasadiving-boardbyyoungmennowwhowishtoseeiftheplacereallyisdangerous.
IffleyLockandMill,amilebeforeyoureachOxford,isafavouritesubjectwiththeriver-lovingbrethrenofthebrush. Therealarticle,however,isratherdisappointing,afterthepictures. Fewthings,Ihavenoticed,comequiteuptothepicturesofthem,inthisworld.
WepassedthroughIffleyLockatabouthalf-pasttwelve,andthen,havingtidieduptheboatandmadeallreadyforlanding,wesettoworkonourlastmile.
BetweenIffleyandOxfordisthemostdifficultbitoftheriverIknow. Youwanttobebornonthatbitofwater,tounderstandit. Ihavebeenoveritafairishnumberoftimes,butIhaveneverbeenabletogetthehangofit. ThemanwhocouldrowastraightcoursefromOxfordtoIffleyoughttobeabletolivecomfortably,underoneroof,withhiswife,hismother-inlaw,hiseldersister,andtheoldservantwhowasinthefamilywhenhewasababy.
Firstthecurrentdrivesyouontotherightbank,andthenontotheleft,thenittakesyououtintothemiddle,turnsyouroundthreetimes,andcarriesyouupstreamagain,andalwaysendsbytryingtosmashyouupagainstacollegebarge.
