"I will return and get Marie. I swear it. I will find a boat and organize a
rescue party. Have confidence in me, grandfather!"

Rapidly, he explained to Veronique that she must not struggle, that she
must submit without a movement, and that she must not be afraid. The young
girl answered "yes" to everything, with a distracted look. Then, after making
the sign of the cross, he slid down the roof, holding Veronique by a rope that
he had looped under her arms. She gave a scream, beat the water with arms and
legs, and, suffocated, she fainted.

"I like this better!" Gaspard called to me. "Now, I can answer for her!"

It can be imagined with what agony I followed them with my eyes. On the
white surface, I could see Gaspard's slightest movement. He held the young
girl by means of the rope that he coiled around his neck; and he carried her
thus, half thrown over his right shoulder. The crushing weight bore him under
at times. But he advanced, swimming with superhuman strength. I was no
longer in doubt. He had traversed a third of the distance when he struck
against something submerged. The shock was terrible. Both disappeared. Then
I saw him reappear alone. The rope must have snapped. He plunged twice. At
last, he came up with Veronique, whom he again took on his back. But without
the rope to hold her, she weighed him down more than ever. Still, he advanced.
A tremor shook me as I saw them approaching the church. Suddenly, I saw some
beams bearing down upon them. A second shock separated them and the waters
closed over them.

From this moment, I was stupefied. I had but the instinct of the animal
looking out for its own safety. When the water advanced, I retreated. In
that stupor, I heard someone laughing, without explaining to myself who it