The poor girl had remained motionless for an hour, under the terrible fascination of the reptile, comatized.

He spoke to her, but a quick spasmodic action of her throat and a quivering of her hands alone responded.

The sight of her suffering agonized him beyond expression, but he took her hands--he pressed them, for they were icy cold--he called piteously on her name.

But she seemed incapable of effort.

Then, stooping he raised her tenderly in his arms and carried her to the boat, where he laid her still unresisting and incapable.
With trembling limbs and weak hands he launched the cutter, and they were once more afloat and bound homeward.
He dipped the baler into the fresh water he had brought with him for their daily supply, and dashed it on her forehead.