278 SAVED FROM DROWNING. 



more rapidly prepared to render him assistance, if 

 necessary. 



In a few steps the object of my solicitude was 

 up to the knees, and in a few more up to the waist, 

 his stalwart figure staunchly resisting the powerful 

 current. Not once did he cast back his eyes ; the 

 goal was in front, and he was determined to reach it. 

 When, on advancing a few paces, his body became 

 further submerged, I exclaimed, ' Come back ; you 

 are attempting an impossibility/ narey a come back 



in response floated to my ears. ' Go on and be 



well drowned/ I was about to utter, when Mr. 

 Obstinacy placed his foot either on a slippery stone 

 or tripped, and in a moment afterwards was 

 struggling in deep water. In an instant I compre- 

 hended the danger of his position. There was no 

 time for hesitation. Iffy clothes that were outermost 

 were kicked off, and in a twinkling I was up to my 

 neck. Half-a-dozen strokes brought me alongside 

 the victim of his stupidity. Having on several 

 occasions rescued indiscreet individuals in similarly 

 precarious predicaments, I was not unaware of the 

 danger to be braved under such circumstances, so 

 had armed myself with the branch of a tree to give 

 the drowning man to lay hold of, and thus keep 

 him at arm's length, while I towed him to the 

 shore. 



Success rewarded my efforts, and the old repro- 

 bate has now to thank me that he still is in the land 

 of the living, yet with the utmost pertinacity he 



