Walter stood up in the boat and looked round.

A floating oar, a stretcher, and a sheepskin which had served as a cushion, alone floated.
Suddenly there was a choking cry heard a few yards down stream, and Walter leapt into the river.

A few strokes took him to the side of the girl, and he found, on throwing his arm round her, that she was still clasped in her mother's arms.

Seizing them both, Walter shouted to his comrades.

They had already turned the boat's head, and in a minute were alongside.
It was a difficult task to get the mother and child on board, as the girl refused to loose her hold.