Had it been ebbing, he would have made down and tried to gain the shore, under shelter of the shipping moored below.

But it was useless to think of swimming against the tide.

His pursuers were but a few yards behind him, and the second time he rose to the surface for air, two or three shots were fired.

He dived again, and when he next came up, took a deliberate look round in order to judge of his chances.
He was now about a third of the way across.

The shore he had left was already lined with people, and several were gathering on the opposite bank.