The Sergeant drew in a long breath and transferred the haversack to her shoulder.
"We 'll try and keep that from getting soaked, if we can," he explained.

"There is no hotel over in those sand-hills.

Now hold on tight." He swung her easily to his broad shoulder, clasping her slender figure closely with one arm.
"That's it! Now get a firm grip.

I 'll carry you all right." To the girl, that passage was never more than a dim memory.

Still partially dazed from the severe blow on her head, she closed her eyes as Hamlin stepped cautiously down into the stream and clung to him desperately, expecting each moment to be flung forward into the water.
But the Sergeant's mind was upon his work, and every detail of the struggle left its impress on his memory.