A half-dozen grouped themselves at the bow, ready for action, their figures growing more sharply defined as the struggling craft approached.

The man above stood shading his eyes with one hand, and gesticulating with the other.

Finally the sound of his voice reached me.
"Hey! you out there! If you can swim, jump for it.

I'm not going to run into that snag." I measured the distance between us with my eye, and leaped as far out as possible, striking out with lusty strokes.

The swift current swung me about like a chip, and swept me downward in spite of every struggle.
I was squarely abreast of the boat, already caught in her suction, and being drawn straight in toward her wheel, when the looped end of a flying noose struck my shoulder.
"Keep your head, lad!" roared out a hoarse voice.