He rose to the surface amid the shrieks of the delighted populace, and struck out for the steps, as the next competitor, a Melbourne schoolboy in a bathing-suit, appeared on the pole.  Unfortunately, his career was even shorter.  His first step was rash, his second even wilder: he slid for a moment, and then the end came quickly.  Just below him the first lad was swimming.  The Melbourne boy fell on him bodily, and they disappeared together in a whirlpool of spray.  Those of the onlookers who had room at this point sat down on the wharf and held their aching sides.