im, and he began to flop about in the wildest and most
unreasonable manner. I threw him a board, but he did not seem to have
sense enough to grasp it. I saw that he would be drowned in a moment
more, unless he received more efficient help. I was fearfully alarmed
for his safety; and, though I could swim like a fish, I doubted my
ability to handle such a clumsy fellow in the water.

Kicking off my shoes, I dived after him from the roof of the house; for
he had gone down, and I was not sure that he would come up again. I
could not help thinking that this accident had ruined my enterprise.
Though it seemed to be a long time to me, and doubtless a much longer
time to him, he had not been in the water more than three seconds when I
dived after him.

[Illustration: SIM GWYNN'S MISHAP.--Page 141.]

I did not find him under the water; but, when I rose to the surface, I
saw him a rod or more below me, floundering about like a crazy
alligator.

CHAPTER XIII.

NEAR UNTO DEATH.

Although I was abundantly able to take care of myself in the water, and
even to do a little more than that, I was really afraid to approach Sim
Gwynn, he struggled so violently. I was satisfied, if I did so, that he
would swamp me as well as himself. We were both floating down the stream
with the current, and all the chances seemed to be against us.

Sim had struggled till his strength was in a measure wasted. I saw that
he was going down again, and though I feared it would cost me my own
life, I decided to grapple with him. A couple of strokes with my arms
brought me to him, and I seized him by the collar. The moment he was
conscious of the presence of something near him, he began to struggle
more violently than ever. He threw his arms tight around my body, and
hugged me in what I thought would be the death-gripe.

Vainly I tried to shake him off. The more I labored, the closer he clung
to me, as if fearful that I should escape his grasp. I believed that my
last moment had come. I gave myself up in despair, and thought of
Flora--what would become of her. I asked God to forgive all my
sins--which seemed like a mountain to me in that awful moment.

I rested but an instant while these thoughts rushed through my brain. I
felt myself going down. It was useless to do so, I felt; but I could not
help making one more struggle for the boon of life. It would have been
useless if a kind Providence had not come to my aid, for my strength was
nearly