purpose it was necessary to cross the street, where the terrible current
existed. He consulted me by a glance. I was completely upset. Never had such a
combat raged within me. We would have to expose eight lives. And yet I had not
the strength to resist the mournful appeal.

"Yes, yes," I said to Gaspard. "We can not possibly go away without her!"

He lowered his head without a word, and began using his pole against all the
walls left standing. We passed the neighboring house, but as soon as we
emerged into the street a cry escaped us. The current, which had again seized
us, carried us back against our house. We were whirled round like a leaf, so
rapidly that our cry was cut short by the smashing of the raft against the
tiles. There was a rending sound, the planks were loosened and wrenched apart,
and we were all thrown into the water. I do not know what happened then. I
remember that when I sank I saw Aunt Agathe floating, sustained by her
skirts, until she went down backward, head first, without a struggle.

A sharp pain brought me to. Pierre was dragging me by the hair along the
tiles. I lay still, stupidly watching. Pierre had plunged in again. And, in
my confused state, I was surprised to see Gaspard at the spot where my brother
had disappeared. The young man had Veronique in his arms. When he had placed
her near me he again jumped in, bringing up Marie, her face so waxy white that
I thought her dead. Then he plunged again. But this time he searched in vain.
Pierre had joined him. They talked and gave each other indications that I could
not hear. As they drew themselves up on the roof, I cried:

"And Aunt Agathe? And Jacques? And Rose?"

They shook their heads. Large tears coursed down their cheeks. They explained
to me that Jacques had struck his head against a beam and that Rose had been