But this consideration did not seem to affect him; the last blow was struck, and as the freed timbers rolled on, over and over, he boldly plunged into the flood.

Christie gave a little cry--her heart had bounded with him; it seemed as if his plunge had splashed the water in her eyes.

He did not come to the surface until he had passed the point below where her father stood, and then struggling feebly, as if stunned or disabled by a blow.

It seemed to her that he was trying to approach the side of the river where she was.

Would he do it?
Could she help him?
She was alone; he was hidden from the view of the men on the point, and no succor could come from them.