A NIGHT AMONGST THE SAND EELS. 69 



" There away, sir, I seed her dress above 

 water. God forgive me ! I can't swim a stroke, 

 an' I be nigh on eighty years of age." 



I struck out in the direction, followed by 

 some three or four others. The strong current 

 whirled me round and took me fast away. The 

 moon shone out gloriously at the instant, and 

 I saw^ome ten yards before me an arm thrown 

 up and then sink ; I swam like mad again. A 

 lump of something was before me, and I grasped 

 at it. Letting myself sink down in an upright 

 position, I was enabled to use both my hands. 

 I had caught the bottom of her dress, my hand 

 was soon at the back of her neck, and I struck 

 out again. She was senseless or drowned, I 

 knew not which, but oh ! how heavy. Where am 

 I to go to ? I cannot keep on long. Ah ! that 

 rock there, that will not be covered for half an 

 hour ; that is my mark. Every nerve is put 

 into play to reach the desired spot. We are 

 within ten yards of it, when her arms tighten 

 round me. 



" For God's sake," I screamefl out, " do not 

 hold me or we die." 



Still that steady death-like clutch ; I find 



