John Halifax, Gentleman by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik
page 67 of 763 (08%)
page 67 of 763 (08%)
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has, like a wild boar's mane. We often call it the river-boar."
"But it is only a big wave." "Big enough to swamp a boat, though." And while I spoke I saw, to my horror, that there actually was a boat, with two men in it, trying to get out of the way of the eger. "They never can! they'll assuredly be drowned! O John!" But he had already slipped from my side and swung himself by furze-bushes and grass down the steep slope to the water's edge. It was a breathless moment. The eger travelled slowly in its passage, changing the smooth, sparkling river to a whirl of conflicting currents, in which no boat could live--least of all that light pleasure-boat, with its toppling sail. In it was a youth I knew by sight, Mr. Brithwood of the Mythe House, and another gentleman. They both pulled hard--they got out of the mid-stream, but not close enough to land; and already there was but two oars' length between them and the "boar." "Swim for it!" I heard one cry to the other: but swimming would not have saved them. "Hold there!" shouted John at the top of his voice; "throw that rope out and I will pull you in!" |
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