The brave Italian, though well-nigh exhausted, dived fearlessly; and to the infinite joy of Ellen, re-appeared upon the surface, exclaiming, "He is saved—he is saved!"
Supporting Markham's head above the water, Filippo swam to the bank; and, aided by Ellen and the rope, succeeded in landing his burden as well as himself.
Markham was insensible; but Filippo placed his hand upon the young man's breast, and said, "He lives!"
"Heaven be thanked!" ejaculated Ellen, solemnly.
She then chafed his temples; while the Italian rubbed the palms of his hands.
In a few minutes Richard moaned.
The attentions of those who hung over him were redoubled; and Filippo was about to propose to convey him to the nearest dwelling, when he gasped violently, and murmured, "Where am I?"
"Saved!" answered Ellen. "None but friends are near you."
A quarter of an hour had not elapsed from the moment that he was rescued from the water, when he was so far recovered as to sit up on the bank; and all fears on the part of Ellen relative to his complete resuscitation had vanished.
"Ellen—is that you? can this be you? was it your voice that I heard?" he said, in a faint tone: "or is it a vision?"