He knew which way the tide was making, and allowed for the set.

A few vigorous strokes, and he reached something white on the surface.

It was the sunbonnet which had, in the child's struggles, become unfastened.

He dived at once, and almost immediately saw a confused mass before him.
Another stroke, and he seized the child's clothes, and, grasping her firmly, rose to the surface and swam towards shore.
Although the accident had not been perceived, his shout and sudden rush into the water had called the attention of some of the men, and two or three of them ran into the water, waist deep, to help him out with his little burden.
"Well done, Master Walsham! The child would have been drowned if you had not seed it.

None of us noticed her fall over.