THE RIVER JOURNEY "Best pour a little of this down his throat.

It'll cut an' burn, but if there's a spark o' life left in him it'll set it to blazin'." Harry became conscious of the "cutting" and "burning," and, struggling weakly, he sat up.
"That's better," continued the deep, masculine voice.

"You've been layin' on your face, lettin' the Kentucky River run out of your mouth, while we was poundin' you on the back to increase the speed o' the current.

It's all out o' you now, an' you're goin' to keep your young life." The man who spoke was standing almost over Harry, holding a flask in one hand and a lantern in the other.

He was obviously a mountaineer, tall, with powerful chest and shoulders, and a short red beard.