If only he had been fresh as in the morning! But he had had a long walk during the day and not much food.

He knew that his burst of speed must soon slacken, but he had a stratagem yet.
Keeping along the ridge till he reached the place where the lake narrowed to the river, suddenly he rushed down the hill towards the water.

The edge was encumbered with brushwood and fallen trees; he scrambled over and through anyhow; he tore a path through the bushes and plunged in.

But his jacket caught in a branch; he had his knife out and cut off the shred of cloth.

Then with the bow and knife in one hand he struck out for the opposite shore.