Then, gazing at the strange apartment and the majestic face of the venerable stranger, he said hesitatingly:
“Am I still living or was I drowned?”
He was not certain whether he had made the mysterious passage from this world to the next, so strange and unfamiliar seemed everything about him.
“You are still in life,” answered the stranger, smiling gravely. “God has spared you, and a long life is yet before you if He wills.”
“And you saved me?”
“Yes.”
“How can I thank you? I owe you my life,” said Robert gratefully.
“I am indebted to you for the opportunity once more to be of use to one of my race.”
“I don’t understand how you could have saved me. When I went down I could see no one near.”
“On account of the dusk. I was not far away in my boat. I saw your peril and hastened to your assistance. Fortunately I was not too late. Do you know who it is that has saved you?”