hat the water, which was rough and shallow where they
were, seemed to flow calmly and swiftly onward a short distance away,
and was evidently deep.

"Steady! Steady!" cried Pen, hanging away a little towards the bank
from which they had started.

"All right; I am steady enough, only one can't do as one likes. It's
just as if all the water was pushing behind. Ah! Look out, comrade!"

Pen was already looking out, and he had need, for once more his
companion had stepped as it were off a shelf into deep water, and the
next moment, still grasping Punch's hand with all his might, he was
striking out; and then together they were being borne rapidly down by
the stream.

CHAPTER FORTY THREE.

FRESH COMRADES.

Pen never could quite settle in his own mind how it all happened. He
was conscious of the rush of water and the foam bubbling against his
lips, while he clung tightly to his companion till they were swept
against rocks, borne into eddies, whirled round now beneath the surface,
now gasping for breath as darkness was turned into light; then feeling
as if they were being dragged over rough pieces of rock that were slimy
with weed as he caught at them with one hand, and then, still clinging
to Punch, who clung to him, they were being carried slowly over a
shallow patch where the water raced beside their ears, till at last he
struggled out, half-blind and dizzy, to find himself alone, with the sun
beating hotly upon his head.

He was giddy, breathless, confused in his excitement, as he pressed the
water from his eyes; and then he uttered a cry, for about twenty yards
from where he stood, with the water barely up to his ankles, he could
see Punch lying upon his face, gradually gliding away towards the spot
where the stream was beginning to run smooth and deep.

He could recall this part of his adventure, though, well enough: how he
staggered and splashed to the place, where he could catch hold of the
boy, and turn him over before getting hold of his belt and dragging him
right out of the river on to the sandy bank where it was hot and dry.

And then he could recall how a great despair came upon him, and he knelt
helplessly gazing down at his comrade, with the horrible feeling upon
him that he was dead.

Then all was misty again. The river was running onward with a swift
rush towards its mouth, and he was conscious that he was safe upon the
bank from which he had started. Then he knew that he must have swoon