"Let us kneel down and thank God!" whispered William.
So they knelt side by side like two Christian warriors!
Presently they rose, and now they turned their attention to the captive in the boat, who had ofttime been trampled under foot in the strife.
"He is gagged," said William; "I will unloose him."
For a few moments the rescued man was well-nigh unconscious through the pain and suffering he had undergone. Then the well-known voices of his friends the twins fell upon his ears like heavenly music, and he spake.
"Brothers," he said, "will you cut my bonds?"
"By Heaven!" cried William, "it is Diego. Oh, thank God!"
Then they cut his bonds, and the young Spaniard rose with great difficulty, so benumbed were his limbs.
"Oh! my brothers," he cried, seizing their hands, "you have risked your lives to save mine, and Heaven has blessed your noble efforts; henceforth we are more than friends—we are brothers in heart and soul while life lasts.
"Ah! I see that you are both wounded—you have shed your blood to save my life! How shall I thank you enough? Oh, may Heaven reward you! But come, let me examine your wounds; it is my turn now to turn rescuer."