The hound had been running back and forth on the top of the parapet,
half preparing every moment for a spring, and then deterred by the
immense distance which presented itself between the animal and the
water, it would run back and forth again with a most piteous howling
cry; but at this moment it came bounding down the street to the
quay, as though it at last realized the proper spot from which to
make the attempt, and with a leap that seemed to carry it nearly a
rod into the waters, it swam easily to the boy's side.

An exclamation of joy escaped from both Don Gonzales and Isabella,
for they knew the hound to have saved a life before, and now prized
his sagacity highly.

As the hound swung round easily beside the struggling forms, the
swimmer placed the boy's arm about the animal's neck, while the
noble creature, with almost human reason, instead of struggling
fiercely at being thus entirely buried in the water, save the mere
point of his nose, worked as steadily and as calmly as though he was
merely following his young master on shore. The momentary relief was
of the utmost importance to the swimmer, who being thus partially
relieved of Ruez's weight, once more struck out boldly for the quay.
But the boy had now lost all consciousness, and his arm slipped away
from the hound's neck, and he rolled heavily over, carrying down the
swimmer and himself for a moment, below the surface of the water.

"Holy mother! they are both drowned!" almost screamed Isabella.

"Lost! lost!" groaned Don Gonzales, with uplifted hands and
tottering form.