She was swimming in the water, and seemed exhausted.

In the agitation of the past few moments I had lost sight of her, and had thought that she was drowned; but now the sight of her roused me from my stupor and brought me back to myself.

She was swimming, yet her strokes were weak and her face was full of despair.
In an instant I had flung off my coat, rolled up the rifle and pistol in its folds, and sprung into the water.

A few strokes brought me to Layelah.

A moment more and I should have been too late.