The upsetting or sinking of an overloaded boat brings almost certain destruction upon most of the passengers, whether swimmers or not, as they seize each other in their terror, and go down inextricably entangled together, each held by the others in the convulsive grasp with which drowning men always cling to whatever is within their reach.

Caesar, anticipating this danger, leaped over into the sea and swam to the ship.

He had some papers in his hand at the time--plans, perhaps, of the works which he was assailing.

These he held above the water with his left hand, while he swam with the right.

And to save his purple cloak or mantle, the emblem of his imperial dignity, which he supposed the enemy would eagerly seek to obtain as a trophy, he seized it by a corner between his teeth, and drew it after him through the water as he swam toward the galley.