I never beheld anything like that swimming.
He bounded through the waves like a porpoise, and indeed he possessed the strength and swiftness of one.

What might not be expected of such a man! In a few minutes the half-breed had swum several cables' lengths towards the boat in an oblique direction.

We could only see his head like a black speck on the surface of the rolling waves.

A period of suspense, of intense watching of the brave swimmer succeeded.
Surely, surely he would reach the boat; but must he not be carried away with it?
Was it to be believed that even his great strength would enable him, swimming, to tow it to the beach?
"After all, why should there not be oars in the boat ?" said the boatswain.
"He has it! He has it! Hurrah, Dirk, hurrah!" shouted Hurliguerly, and Endicott echoed his exultant cheer.
The half-breed had, in fact, reached the boat and raised himself alongside half out of the water.

His big, strong hand grasped the side, and at the risk of causing the boat to capsize, he hoisted himself up to the side, stepped over it, and sat down to draw his breath.
Almost instantly a shout reached our cars.