When he released his hold, to heave from farther down the body, Elijah promptly gave at the middle and came down on the ice.
In despair, Daylight changed his tactics.

He struck the other in the face.
"God Almighty, ain't you-all a man ?" he cried.

"There! damn you-all! there!" At each curse he struck him on the cheeks, the nose, the mouth, striving, by the shock of the hurt, to bring back the sinking soul and far-wandering will of the man.

The eyes fluttered open.
"Now listen!" he shouted hoarsely.

"When I get your head to the gunwale, hang on! Hear me?
Hang on! Bite into it with your teeth, but HANG ON!" The eyes fluttered down, but Daylight knew the message had been received.