wallowing in the "waist" of the ship like fish newly shot out of a trawl
net, but the princess was gone. Where was she? I brushed the spray from
my eyes, and stared overboard. She was not in the bubbling blue water
alongside. Then I glanced aft to where the log, now fifteen yards away,
was splashing through the sunshine, and, as I looked, a fair arm came
up from underneath and white fingers clutched convulsively at the sky.
What man could need more? Down the barge I rushed, and dropping only my
swordbelt, leapt in to her rescue. The gentle Martians were too numb to
raise a hand in help; but it was not necessary. I had the tide with me,
and gained at every stroke. Meanwhile that accursed tree, with poor
Heru's skirts caught on a branch, was drowning her at its leisure;
lifting her up as it rose upon the crests, a fair, helpless bundle,
and then sousing her in its fall into the nether water, where I could
see her gleam now and again like pink coral.

I redoubled my efforts and got alongside, clutching the rind of that
old stump, and swimming and scrambling, at last was within reach of
the princess. Thereon the log lifted her playfully to my arms, and
when I had laid hold came down, a crushing weight, and forced us far
into the clammy bosom of Martian sea. Again we came up, coughing and
choking--I tugging furiously at that tangled raiment, and the lady, a
mere lump of sweetness in my other arm--then down again with that log
upon me and all the noises of Eblis in my ears. Up and down we went,
over and over, till strength was spent and my ribs seemed breaking;
then, with a last desperate effort, I got a knee against the stem, and
by sheer strength freed my princess--the spiteful timber made a last
ugly thrust at us as it rolled away--and we were free!

I turned upon my back, and, sure of rescue now, took the lady's head
upon my chest, holding her sweet, white fists in mine the while, and,