“Byyourleave，wearegoingtobedrowned，“theMorduinemurmuredasheglancedattheblueshadowofeventideonourleft。
Andsimultaneously，asthoughcompassionatingourlot，alargefloegroundeduponthebank，glidedupwardswithacrackingandacrashing，andthereheldfast！
“Run，allofyou！“cameafuriousshoutfromOssip。
“Hurryup，now！Putyourverybestlegsforemost！“
Formyself，asIspranguponthefloeIlostmyfooting，and，fallingheadlongandremainingseatedonthehitherendofthefloeamidashowerofspray，sawfiveofmysevencomradesrushpast，pushingandjostling，astheymadefortheshore。ButpresentlytheMorduineturnedandhaltedbesideme，withtheintentionofrenderingOssipassistance。