he landlord refused,--yes,
actually refused; but Mrs ---, who, from her station, and her many
virtues, possessed a merited and commanding influence in the place,
ordered the boat to be taken by force, and she was promptly and
cheerfully obeyed. Whilst this was going forward, I was astonishing
everybody by the length of time I stayed underneath the water; and a
last effort almost proved fatal to me, for, when I arose, the blood
gushed from my mouth and nose, and, when I got on shore, I felt so weak,
that I was obliged to be assisted in dressing my self. The boat now
began to sweep the bottom with ropes, but this proved as ineffectual to
recover the body as were my own exertions.

It was the next day before it was found, and then it was brought up by a
Newfoundland dog, very far from the spot in which we had searched for
it. Had the frightened spectators, who stood on the shore, shown me
correctly where the lad had disappeared, I have no doubt but that I
should have brought the body in time for resuscitation. To persons who
have not seen what can be done by those who make water, in a manner,
their own element, my boyish exertions seemed almost miraculous. My
good old friend was present, betraying a curious mixture of fear and
admiration; big as I then was, he almost carried me in his arms home,
that is, to the school-house, and there we found all in confusion: Mrs
Cherfeuil had just arrived, and hearing that one of the boys was
drowned, had given one painful shriek and fainted. When we came into
the room she was still in a state of insensibility, and, as we stood
around, she slowly opened her eyes; but the moment that they became
conscious of my presence, she leaped up with frantic joy, and strained
me in her arms, and then, laying her head upon my shoulder, burst into a
passion of tears. Mr R cast upon me a most triumphant smile: and, as
he led me away from the agitated lady, she took a silent farewell of me,
with a look of intense fondness, and a depth of ineffable felicity,
which I hope will be present to me in my dying hour, for assuredly it
will make light the parting pang.

This affair changed the whole current of Mr R's ideas, and altered his
plans for me. I was no longer to be the future poet-laureate; I was no
more enticed to sing great deeds, but to do them. The sword was to
displace the pen, the hero the poet. Verse was too effeminate, and
rhyme was severely interdicted, and to be forgiven only when