I cannot do it myself." This was also accomplished, and the two pieces of armour laid on the tree.

They were now free to look round.

The rapid stream had already taken them half a mile below the point where the army were crossing, and they were now entering a spot where the river was broken up by islands, and raced along its pent up channel with greater velocity than before, its surface broken with short angry waves, which rendered it difficult for them to retain their hold of the tree.
For a time they strove by swimming to give the canoe an impetus towards one bank or the other; but their efforts were vain.

Sometimes they thought they were about to succeed, and then an eddy would take the boat and carry it into the middle of the stream again.
"It is useless, Nessus," Malchus said at last.

"We are only wearing ourselves out, and our efforts are of no avail whatever.