We had some good times back then. And no matter what we did, we had fun.

Whether it was riding the little, black pony and chasing goats in the pasture behind his house, or throwing the dogs off the creek bank into the water to see them swim, or rolling down kudzu-covered gullies, whatever we did, we did together.

The only time one of us came even close to getting hurt was when I lost my footing and fell off the top of a railroad boxcar. We had watched too many movies where the actors ran across the top of moving trains and thought we could do it, too.

Something New About Charles

I thought I knew everything about Charles. But one almost tragic day I found out something new about him.

Charles and I, and a bunch of other boys from my church, were all camping in a cove on Lake Hartwell. We didn't sleep in tents unless it rained -- and then we all piled into one.

After we set up our campsite, we jumped into the water for a swim. Our leaders weren't too worried about us, because we had to wade out pretty far to get into water over our head. Charles and some of the other boys had inflated inner tubes to float on -- I didn't have one, so I just hung onto Charles'.

Never Good at Listening

We were told to stay close to the shore, but Charles and I were never real good at listening to directions, let alone following them. And before long, we began to make our way across the cove to the other side. Charles was in his tube, and I was swimming alongside.

When we had gone about 50 yards and gotten halfway across, I suggested that Charles swim the rest of the way with me. And he got out of his tube.

That's when I found out: Charles couldn't swim!

When I realized it, I tried to hold him up, but he grabbed me and took me underwater with him. I had to fight him to get loose.

Charles Was Drowning

Charles was drowning right in front of me and I was the only one who could help him. I knew he would drown me if he grabbed me again, so every time he disappeared under the water, I would find his hand and pull him back up to the surface and then turn him loose before he could grab me. I pulled him back up at least three times.

We were in big trouble, and I began to yell, "Help!" Not for me, but for Charles. Thankfully, someone finally saw us and helped both of us get to the other side of the cove.

Swimming-time Lessons

I learned a lot that day. I try to remember these lessons every year when the time for swimming comes around again.

• Everyone needs to know how to swim.
• If you can't swim, don't depend on floats to keep you safe in deep water.
• Never swim alone. And keep constant check on each other. If your buddy is out of sight, locate him immediately. If he's in trouble, seconds count.
• Swim where you're supposed to swim and not in deserted coves.
• Know your ability and stay within it. Swim only where you're sure you can get back to land or a boat.