"To capture us, of course, for Skor; but they will never capture me!" She stepped toward the edge of the raft.
"What do you mean?" I demanded. "What are you going to do?"
"I am going to jump into the river."
"But you can't swim," I objected. "You will be sure to drown."
"That is what I wish to do. I shall never let Skor take me again."
"Wait, Nalte," I begged. "They haven't taken us yet. Perhaps they won't."
"Yes, they will," she said hopelessly.
"We must never give up hope, Nalte. Promise me that you will wait. Even in the last second you can still carry out your plan."
"I will wait," she promised, "but in the last second you had better follow my example and join me in death rather than fall into the hands of Skor and become one of those hopeless creatures that you saw at his castle, for then you will be denied even the final escape of death."
The boat was now approaching closer, and I hailed its occupants. "What do you want of us?" I demanded.