a flag crept up the slender staff at the bow, and reaching the top
rippled out in the crisp breeze. A moment later I deciphered the
lettering across the white front of the pilot house, _Adventurer, of
Memphis_.

Indifferent at that moment as to where the approaching boat might be
bound, or my reception on board; desirous only of immediate escape from
my unfortunate predicament, I managed to remove my sodden coat, and
furiously wave it in the air as a signal. At first there was no
response, no evidence that I had even been seen; then slowly,
deliberately, the steamer changed its course, and came straight up the
river, struggling against the full strength of the current. I could
see a man step from out the pilot house onto the upper forward deck,
lean out over the rail, and speak to the others below, pointing toward
me across the water. A half-dozen grouped themselves at the bow, ready
for action, their figures growing more sharply defined as the
struggling craft approached. The man above stood shading his eyes with
one hand, and gesticulating with the other. Finally the sound of his
voice reached me.

"Hey! you out there! If you can swim, jump for it. I'm not going to
run into that snag."

I measured the distance between us with my eye, and leaped as far out
as possible, striking out with lusty strokes. The swift current swung
me about like a chip, and swept me downward in spite of every struggle.
I was squarely abreast of the boat, already caught in her suction, and
being drawn straight in toward her wheel, when the looped end of a
flying noose struck my shoulder.

"Keep your head, lad!" roared out a hoarse voice. "Hang on now, an'
we'll get yer."

It was such a rush, such a breathless, desperate struggle, I can
scarcely recall the details. All I really remember is that I gripped
the rope, and clung; was dragged under again and again; was flung
against the steamer's side, seemingly losing all consciousness, yet
dimly realizing that outstretched hands grasped me, and lifted me up by
main strength to the narrow footway, dropping me there in the pool of
water oozing from my clothes. Someone spoke, lifting my head on his
arm, in answer to a hail from above.

"Yes, he's all right, sir; just a bit groggy. What'll we do with him?"

"Bring him along up to Haines' cabin, and get him the old suit in my
room. You might warm him up with a drink first. You tend to it,
Mapes."

The liquor I drank out of a bo