struck - one fell over mortally wounded, the other sank down into the boat.


"Row, men, row," their leader shouted, "or we shall all be taken."

Again seizing their oars, the rowers started at full speed towards the
Lambeth shore. The arrows of their pursuers still fell among them, two more
of their number being wounded before they reached the opposite shore. The
pursuit was not continued, the newcomers ceasing to row at the spot where
the catastrophe had taken place. Walter stood up in the boat and looked
round. A floating oar, a stretcher, and a sheepskin which had served as a
cushion, alone floated.

Suddenly there was a choking cry heard a few yards down stream, and Walter
leapt into the river. A few strokes took him to the side of the girl, and
he found, on throwing his arm round her, that she was still clasped in her
mother's arms. Seizing them both, Walter shouted to his comrades. They had
already turned the boat's head, and in a minute were alongside.

It was a difficult task to get the mother and child on board, as the girl
refused to loose her hold. It was, however, accomplished, and the child sat
still and quiet by Walter's side, while his comrades endeavoured to stanch
the blood which was flowing from a severe wound in her mother's head. When
they had bound it up they rubbed her hands, and by the time they had
reached the steps at Westminster the lady opened her eyes. For a moment she
looked bewildered, and then, on glancing round, she gave a low cry of
delight at seeing her child sitting by Walter's side.

On reaching the steps the boys handed her over to the care of the watermen
there, who soon procured a litter and carried her, she being still too weak