, as far as he
knew, had not risen again to the surface.

Meanwhile, Gilmore and Macey tried their best to get the boat ashore,
and, after struggling for a few minutes in the shallow close under the
bank, they managed to right her, but not without leaving a good deal of
water in the bottom. Still she floated as they climbed in and thrust
her off, but only for Gilmore to utter a groan of dismay as he grasped
the helplessness of their situation.

"No oars--no oars!" he cried; and, standing up in the stern, he plunged
into the water again, to swim toward where he could see Vane's head.

"What have I done--what have I done!" muttered Macey, wildly. "Oh, poor
chap, if he should be drowned!"

For a moment he hesitated about following Gilmore, but, as he swept the
water with his eyes, he caught sight of something floating, and, sitting
down, he used one hand as a paddle, trying to get the boat toward the
middle of the river to intercept the floating object, which he had seen
to be one of the oars.

Vane heard the loud splash, and saw that Gilmore was swimming to his
help, then he kept on, looking to right and left in search of their
companion; but everywhere there was the eddying water gliding along, and
bearing him with it.

For a time he had breasted the current, trying to get toward the deeps
where the bridge had stood, but he could make no way, and, concluding
from this that Distin would have floated down too, he kept on his weary,
useless search till Gilmore swam up abreast.

"Haven't seen him?" panted the latter, hoarsely. "Shall we go lower?"

"No," cried Vane; "there must be an eddy along there. Let's go up
again."

They swam ashore, climbed out on to the bank, and, watching the surface
as they ran, they made for the spot where the well-paved road had
crossed the bridge.

Here they stood in silence for a few moments, and Gilmore was about to
plunge in again, but Vane stopped him.

"No, no," he cried, breathing heavily the while; "that's of no use.
Wait till we see him rise--if he is here," he added with a groan.

The sun shone brightly on the calm, clear water which here looked black
and deep, and after scanning it for some time Vane said quickly--

"Look! There, just beyond that black stump."

"No; there is nothing there but a deep hole."

"Yes, but the water goes round and round there, Gil; that must be the
place."

He was about to plunge in, but it was Gilmore's turn to arrest him.

"No, n