It was the stag leaping also for safety and he began to swim about, looking at the boys with great pathetic eyes, as if he would ask them what he ought to do next for his life.

Apparently his fear of mankind had passed for the moment.

They were bound together by the community of danger.
Splash! Splash! Splash! The water resounded like the beating of a bass drum.

Three more deer, a buffalo, and any number of smaller game sprang into the stream, and remained there swimming or wading.
"Here, Paul! Here's a bar that we can stand on," said Henry who had found a footing.

At the same time he grasped Paul by the wrist, and drew him to the bar.