Others were stricken down by great masses of turf, or huge rocky fragments, which, bounding from point to point with the torrent, bruised or crushed all they encountered, or, lodging in some difficult place, slightly diverted the course of the torrent, and rendered it yet more dangerous.
On one of these stones, larger than the rest, which had been stopped in its course, a man contrived to creep, and with difficulty kept his post amid the raging flood.

Vainly did he extend his hand to such of his fellows as were swept shrieking past him.

He could not lend them aid, while his own position was so desperately hazardous that he did not dare to quit it.

To leap on either bank was impossible, and to breast the headlong stream certain death.
On goes the current, madly, furiously, as if rejoicing in the work of destruction, while the white foam of its eddies presents a fearful contrast to the prevailing blackness of the surface.

Over the last declivity it leaps, hissing, foaming, crashing like an avalanche.