“I don’t care. We’d go together ... I—I can’t face it alone, Ban.”
“You’ll have to. Or give up our only chance of life. You must, Io. If I shouldn’t get across, you may try it; the chances of the current might help you. But not until after you’re sure I haven’t made it. You must wait.”
“Yes,” she said submissively.
“As soon as I get to shore, I’ll throw the rope across to you. Listen for it. I’ll keep throwing until it strikes where you can get it.”
“I’ll give you the light.”
“That may help. Then you make fast under the forward seat of the boat. Be sure it’s tight.”
“Yes, Ban.”
“Twitch three times on the rope to let me know when you’re ready and shove out and upstream as strongly as you can.”
“Can you hold it against the current?”
“I must. If I do, you’ll drift around against the bank. If I don’t—I’ll follow you.”