Before I knew what was coming I went whirling through the air with frightful velocity, striking the water below with a resounding splash.
That is the way I joined the gang!
Never shall I forget the moment when I rose to the surface and began struggling with that terrible current which sweeps through the narrow channel between Blackwell’s Island the New York shore.
It seemed hours since I had fallen, yet it could scarce have been seconds.
Up on the hill I could hear men shouting, and as I straggled toward the rocks I saw Old King Brady and his policemen appear on the bluffs and look down.
“Help! help! help!” I shouted, but the wind swept my voice over to the island. To my despair I saw Old King Brady turn away and I knew that he had not heard.
“Help! help! Help, Mr. Brady!” called another voice right before me as if in echo of my own.
I raised my eyes and looked ahead.
I was near the rocks now, swimming as well at my bruised and frozen limbs would permit.