At this point he had just caught sight of a pale object slipping under.

In a moment it was gone.
They went to the lower end, but nothing emerged.

For a long time they tried at both ends to effect some communication with the interior, but to no purpose.
'We ought to have come sooner!' said the conscience-stricken Cornelius, when they were quite exhausted, and dripping wet.
'I suppose we ought,' replied Joshua heavily.

He perceived his father's walking-stick on the bank; hastily picking it up he stuck it into the mud among the sedge.

Then they went on.
'Shall we--say anything about this accident ?' whispered Cornelius as they approached the door of Joshua's house.
'What's the use?
It can do no good.