George dropped from the saddle and seized a stirrup.

For some minutes he could see a few dark objects about him, but they disappeared, and he and the horse were swept away down-stream.
He kept hold--the animal was swimming strongly--and after a time a lurid flash of lightning showed him a black mass of trees close ahead.
They vanished, the succeeding darkness was impenetrable, and the crash of thunder was deadened by the roar of water.

For a moment or two his head was driven under, but when he got it clear, another dazzling flash revealed a high bank only a few yards away, and when thick darkness followed he felt the horse rise to its feet.

Then he touched soft bottom, and a little later scrambled up an almost precipitous slope with the bridle in his hand and the horse floundering behind him.

They reached the summit, and, stopping among thin timber, it was with strong relief that he heard Edgar's shout.