The stake-ropes of the horses were taken from the boot and tied securely to the one carried by the rescuer. The new line was then made fast to the pole, the stranger meanwhile acting rapidly and coolly, while he said:
“Have no fear now, ladies, for I will swim ashore with this line, attach it to my saddle, and my horse will drag your carriage ashore. You, miss, hold the reins, but cling to the carriage top-rail, should the vehicle capsize, as this lady must also do. Now all is ready, and there is no time to lose.”
With this he sprang into the stream once more, and was whirled away by the swiftly flowing current. He swam splendidly, and landed below, just as he reached the end of the united stake-ropes.
Running up the bank, he made the end fast to his saddle-horn, and, seizing the lasso tied to the tree, untied it and took position near his horse—the intelligent animal seeming to understand just what was expected of him.
“All ready, now!” cried the horseman, to the nun and Nina upon the box of the carriage. The latter still held the reins and whip.
Then he started his horse slowly forward, thus drawing, with the stake-ropes attached to the saddle-horn and the lasso which he held, the horses and vehicle up against the current of the surging stream.
At the call of the stranger, Nina gathered the reins, and at the same time laid the whip upon the backs of the horses.
They plunged forward and were over their depth at once, while the carriage sank nearly to the top, the waters dashing through the doors, which had been opened wide and made fast.
This alone saved the carriage from being upset by the pressure of the waters.
The noble horse ashore drew hard, and the rescuer also pulled with all his might, the lasso and stake-ropes, fast to the pole and dashboard, being taut as a wire.