Hewalkeddowntotheveryedgeofthestream；itrandeepandfastjusthere，underahighbankandarowofoldwillows。
Smuggsatdownonthebank，wetthoughthegrasswas，andclaspedhishandsoverhisknees。Icroucheddownalittlewaybehindhim，readyandalert。Iamagoodswimmer，andIdidnotdoubtmypowertopullhimout，evenifIwerenotintimetopreventhimjumpingin。Isawhimrise，lookoverthebrink，andsitdownagain。IalmostthoughtIsawhimshiver。Andpresently，throughthestillnessofthesummernight，camethestrangest，saddestsound；catchingmyearasitdriftedacrossthemeadow。
Smuggwassobbing，andhissobs——neverloud——roseandfellwiththesubduedstressofintolerablepain。
Suddenlyheleapedup，criedaloud，andflunghishandsabovehishead。Ithoughthewasgonethistime；buthestopped，poised，asitseemed，overthewater，andIheardhimcry，\"Ican’t，I
can’t!\"andhesankdownallinaheaponthebank，andfellagaintosobbing。Ihopenevertoseeaman——ifyoucancallSmuggaman——likethatagain。