Also I saw that the woman, who was very tall, pointed to us.
Nearer the bank, or rather to the rock edge of the river, its surface was free of ice, for here the stream ran very swiftly.

Seeing this, we drew close together and swam on side by side to help each other if need were.

There was much need, for in the fringe of the torrent the strength that had served me so long seemed to desert me, and I became helpless; numbed, too, with the biting coldness of the water.

Indeed, had not Leo grasped my clothes I think that I should have been swept away by the current to perish.

Thus aided I fought on a while, till he said--"I am going under.