In truth I tried to persevere, but things were whizzing about so much in my head and I was so weak that I could do but little. I thought I was bound to go down, with the whole river pouring into my ears.
“That’s a good fellow!” shouted the voice. “Hold up just a minute longer, and I’ll have you safe!”
I saw dimly a huge figure bearing down upon me. It reached out and grasped me by the collar.
“Steady, now!” continued the voice. “Here comes our tree, and we’ll be safe in twenty seconds!”
The tree, looking like a mountain, floated down toward us. My rescuer reached out, seized it, and then dragged us both upon it. Reposing in safety, mind and strength returned, and things resumed their natural size and shape. Chudleigh, the Hudson River running in little cascades from his hair down his face, was sitting firmly astride the log and looking at me with an air of satisfaction.
“Chudleigh,” I said, “I believe you have saved my life.”
“Shelby,” he replied, “I know it.”
“Why didn’t you escape?” I asked.
“You compel me to remind you that I am a gentleman, Mr. Shelby,” he said.