Sir Charles Slingsby 271 



several papers state that there was then a rush made to 

 one side ; but the horses were so closely packed on board, 

 like bullocks in a bullock truck, that they could not have 

 moved from any cause.) The boat then swayed once or 

 twice, and finally turned completely over, for several 

 seconds leaving nothing to the view but the bottom of the 

 boat. 



" It seemed impossible that any should be saved, but, 

 by degrees, heads began to appear, and Mr. Clare Vyner, 

 having scrambled on to the upturned boat, gallantly 

 assisted all he could reach to gain the same haven. The 

 boat, being still held by the chain, acted as a breakwater, 

 and, therefore, all those who came up near the boat had no 

 stream to contend against. Unfortunately, Sir Charles 

 Slingsby was some way down the stream, in the full force 

 of the current. He struggled gamely to reach the boat, 

 but it was hopeless. If he had only turned and swam 

 with the stream, in all human probability he would have 

 been saved ; for when he was finally exhausted he sank 

 (still struggling to reach the boat) close to the north shore, 

 whither he had been carried by the stream, but where, 

 unfortunately, there was no one to help. " Old Saltfish " 

 followed his master like a dog to the very end, and at last 

 swam past him, unfortunately with the near side next to 

 Sir Charles, who with his last effort tried to grasp the 

 horse's neck ; but the mane being on the opposite side, he 

 only succeeded in grasping the bridle. Both immediately 

 sank — Sir Charles never to be seen again alive ; but the 

 old horse rose again to the surface, and then swam ashore. 



" Mr. Eobinson — who was always extremely nervous in 

 crossing ferries, as he was unable to swim and always 

 entertained a horror of being drowned — according to his 



