And more dead than alive, it seemed to me, she fell once more into my arms.

I felt her grasp tighten about my neck, and her firm body crowd against me as we both sank down for an instant.

Then I caught my feet and straightened, and was really the steadier for the added weight, as any one knows who has waded in fast water.

Little by little I edged up on the bar, quite conscious of her very gracious weight, but sure we should thus reach safety.
"Put me down," she said at length, as she saw the water shoaling.

It was hip deep to me, but waist deep to her; and I felt her shudder as she caught its chill.