l through him, but he had no sense of fear
as yet He wrenched off the bloom he had aimed for, and again he went
under water. Then he found he could not rise, and a sudden spasm of
terror shook him. He struggled madly, and the pulses in his head beat
like bells. Just when the case seemed desperate, and he felt as if he
must take breath or die, something gave way. He surged upward, and got
one great gulp of air. His senses came back to him, and the terror died
away. He threw himself upon his back and paddled, and, keeping his face
above water thus, he tried artrully and slowly to extricate his legs
from the net which held them. A minute went by, and he was bound as fast
as ever. Instinct told him that another struggle meant ruin, and yet
instinct bade him struggle. He set his teeth and paddled softly. How
long could he last like this? he asked himself; and at that instant he
seemed to find an answer. The attitude in which he floated was becoming
rapidly more and more upright. There was a sinking weight upon his feet.

At this he shrieked for help, but he paddled softly and without hurry
all the same. He listened as well as he could for the beating in his
ears. The fields seemed deserted, but he called again. He closed his
eyes and listened, paddling softly, with set teeth. He was nearly
upright in the water now, and the weight still dragged But there was
yet an inch or two to spare, and he was resolved to make the most of his
chances. He called for help again, and a voice answered him petulantly
from the bank.

'You silly toad!' said the pretty cousin. 'What do you want to frighten
me like that for?' 'I'm drowndin'!' Paul answered.

'Not you!' said the pretty cousin. She made a movement of disdain, and
turned away; but Paul yelled at her with a fear so vivid that she turned
again with a white face, and fell upon her knees. 'Oh, Paul,' she cried,
'are ee really drownin'?'

'Yes, I am,' said Paul doggedly. 'These blasted weeds is pullin' me
down. Be quick! Tie that there lace thing to your parasawl, and shy it
to me. Look slippy, or it'll be all up with me. Hold your end tight.
Now, shy! Pull now! Gently--gently.'

He reached the bank, and gripped it with both hands. There was no need
to say that he had had a fright. His wide eyes and the colour of his
face said that.

'Can ee get out now?' she asked.

'No,' said Paul; 'I'm anchored.'

'I'll pull ee out,' said she, rising to her feet; and Paul thrust one
hand towa