A NARROW ESCAPE.
Afraid to incur the anger of McGinnis, Helen made no further outcry after receiving his harsh command to be silent, but stood there, trembling with horror, as the treacherous waters continued to rise.
Tiny waves were rippling the surface of the water, and one of these at last sprang against her lips.
Panting, worn out, Helen felt like permitting herself to sink, and thus quickly end the horrors of her situation.
But the ripple receded, and she was again able to breathe.
She did not wish to die.
Above all, she did not wish to meet such an awful death as this.
She pictured her dead body floating in the water or stretched in the mud of the floor, and her frame was convulsed by swift-flying thrills of horror.
This mental picture nearly crazed Helen.
"No, no," she moaned. "No, no, I cannot, I will not, die in this terrible manner."