But the lasher roared nearer and nearer, and the stream pulled them to it with iron force.

They were close to it now.

Then a willow bough gave them one chance.

Hope grasped it, and pulled with iron strength.

From the bough he got to a branch, and finally clutched the stem of the tree, just as his feet were lifted up by the rushing water, and both lives hung upon that willow-tree.