All at once they saw a black mass swirling at about a yard from them and then sink. The Jaguar immediately plunged and brought it to the surface; this mass, which they had been unable to discover in the darkness, was the body of John Davis. It was high time for them to arrive; the American, finding himself conquered in the obstinate struggle he had so long sustained against death, was sinking. Still, he had not entirely lost his senses; being held above water, he inhaled the fresh air, and was soon in a condition to answer the questions his comrades asked him.
"Are you wounded?" said the Jaguar.
"Yes."
"What's the matter?"
"I fancy my shoulder bone is put out; the monster, in dying, dealt me a blow with his tail which all but made me faint. Had it not been for you, I was lost. But good bye, and thanks; lose no further time with a man who is half dead."
"We shall not abandon you if you do not abandon yourself, John. Lanzi and I, two powerful men, are ready to do everything to save you."
"We are too far from land."
"You are mistaken, we are almost touching it; a few more strokes and we shall find ground; let us act."
"Be it so, as you insist on it."
"Can you support yourself in the water by putting one hand on Lanzi's shoulder and the other on mine?"