liberty.

There was no doubt about Vane's determination. If he had loosed his
hold of Distin, with two arms free he could have saved himself with
comparative ease, but that thought never entered his head, as they
floated down the river, right in the middle now, and with the trees
apparently gliding by them and the verdure and water-growth gradually
growing confused and dim. To Vane all now seemed dreamlike and strange.
He was in no trouble--there was no sense of dread, and the despair of a
few minutes before was blunted, as with his body lower in the water,
which kept rising now above his lips, he slowly struggled on.

All at once Gilmore shouted wildly,--

"Vane--we can't do it. Let's swim ashore."

Vane turned his eyes slowly toward him, as if he hardly comprehended his
words.

"What can I do?" panted Gilmore, who, on his side, was gradually growing
more rapid and laboured in the strokes he made; but Vane made no sign,
and the three floated down stream, each minute more helpless; and it was
now rapidly becoming a certainty that, if Gilmore wished to save his
life, he must quit his hold of Distin, and strive his best to reach the
bank.

"It seems so cowardly," he groaned; and he looked wildly round for help,
but there was none. Then there seemed to be just one chance: the shore
looked to be just in front of them, for the river turned here sharply
round, forming a loop, and there was a possibility of their being swept
right on to the bank.

Vain hope! The stream swept round to their right, bearing them toward
the other shore, against which it impinged, and then shot off with
increased speed away for the other side; and, though they were carried
almost within grasping distance of a tree whose boughs hung down to kiss
the swift waters, the nearest was just beyond Gilmore's reach, as he
raised his hand, which fell back with a splash, as they were borne right
out, now toward the middle once more, and round the bend.

"I can't help it. Must let go," thought Gilmore. "I'm done." Then
aloud:

"Vane, old chap! let go. Let's swim ashore;" and then he shuddered, for
Vane's eyes had a dull, half-glazed stare, and his lips, nostrils,--the
greater part of his face, sank below the stream. "Oh, help!" groaned
Gilmore; "he has gone:" and, loosing his hold of Distin, he made a
snatch at Vane, who was slowly sinking, the current turning him face
downward, and rolling him slowly over.

But Gilmore made a desperate s