Vane heard the loud splash, and saw that Gilmore was swimming to his help, then he kept on, looking to right and left in search of their companion; but everywhere there was the eddying water gliding along, and bearing him with it.
For a time he had breasted the current, trying to get toward the deeps where the bridge had stood, but he could make no way, and, concluding from this that Distin would have floated down too, he kept on his weary, useless search till Gilmore swam up abreast.
“Haven’t seen him?” panted the latter, hoarsely. “Shall we go lower?”
“No,” cried Vane; “there must be an eddy along there. Let’s go up again.”
They swam ashore, climbed out on to the bank, and, watching the surface as they ran, they made for the spot where the well-paved road had crossed the bridge.
Here they stood in silence for a few moments, and Gilmore was about to plunge in again, but Vane stopped him.
“No, no,” he cried, breathing heavily the while; “that’s of no use. Wait till we see him rise—if he is here,” he added with a groan.
The sun shone brightly on the calm, clear water which here looked black and deep, and after scanning it for some time Vane said quickly—
“Look! There, just beyond that black stump.”
“No; there is nothing there but a deep hole.”