"Glorieaux gathered from your words that a divorce would be acceptable, madame. Behold, you have it!"
"Pity nobody didn't think of it sooner," observed Mike, shading his eyes as he stared intently at Jude, "for there's a red streak in the water right behind him."
The woman was already standing at the water's edge, with hands clasped in an agony of terror and anxiety. The three men hastened to join her.
"Wish I could swim," said Mike, "for he's gettin' weak, an' needs help."
The parson sprang into the water, and, in spite of the chill and the swift current, he was soon by Jude's side.
"Take the young un," gasped Jude, "for I'm a goner."
"Put your hand on my shoulder," said the parson. "I can get you both ashore."
'"Tain't no use," said Jude, feebly; "corpses don't count for much in Californy."
"But your immortal part," remonstrated the parson, trying to seize Jude by the hand which held little Johnny.
"God hev mercy on it!" whispered the dying man; "it's the fust time He ever had an excuse to do it."