"Ou
aye," she continued, "he's doomed, he's doomed; heart and hand can
never save him; boats, ropes, and man's strength, and wit, all vain!
vain! he's doomed, he's doomed!"
By this time I had thrown myself into the shallop, followed reluctantly
by Richard Faulder, over whose courage and kindness of heart
superstition had great power; and with one push from the shore, and
some exertion in sculling, we came within a quoitcast of the
unfortunate fisherman. He stayed not to profit by our aid; for when
he perceived us near, he uttered a piercing shriek of joy, and bounded
toward us through the agitated element the full length of an oar. I saw
him for a second on the surface of the water; but the eddying current
sucked him down; and all I ever beheld of him again was his hand held
above the flood, and clutching in agony at some imaginary aid. I sat
gazing in horror on the vacant sea before us: but a breathing time
before, a human being, full of youth and strength and hope, was there:
his cries were still ringing in my ears and echoing in the woods; and
now nothing was seen or heard save the turbulent expanse of water, and
the sound of its chafing on the shores.
Pages:
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185