I held her head out of water, told her not to struggle, and then struck out to go back.

It would have been impossible for me to do this, encumbered with such a load, had I not fortunately perceived the floating wing of the athaleb close beside me.

This I seized, and by means of it drew myself with Layelah alongside; after which I succeeded in putting her on the back of the animal, and soon followed myself.
The terror of the rifle had overwhelmed her, and the suddenness of the catastrophe had almost killed her.

She had struggled in the water for a long time, and had called to me in vain.

Now she was quite exhausted, and lay in my arms trembling and sobbing.