Another interval of torture, an unbroken cry of anguish from a woman and a man on deck wringing their hands. Another man dived off the ship, the mate who had thrown off his jacket and shoes. He carefully searched the place where the girl had gone down and they all set their hopes on him.
Then Johannes' head appeared again above the surface, still farther out, many fathoms farther than before. He had lost his cap and his head shone like a seal's in the sunlight. They could see that he was struggling with something, he swam with difficulty, one of his hands was hampered. A moment later he had got hold of something in his mouth, between his teeth, a huge bundle; it was the girl. Shouts of surprise reached him from the ship and from the shore, even the mate must have heard the difference; he put his head out of the water and looked around.
At last Johannes reached the boat, which had drifted off; he got the girl on board and climbed in himself; all without any stopping to think. They saw him bend over the girl and literally tear the clothes upon her back, then he grasped the oars and pulled furiously to the ship. When the victim was seized and dragged on board everybody cheered wildly.
"What made you try so far out?" they asked him.
He answered:
"I know the shoals. And there's a current here. I knew that."
A man forced his way to the side of the ship; he was pale as death, with a tortured smile and tears hanging on his eyelashes.
"Come on board a moment!" he called down. "I want to thank you. We owe you so many thanks. Only a moment."
And the man left the rail again, pale as death.
The gangway was thrown open and Johannes climbed on board.