Похищенный
Chapter 20
Then,puttinghishandstohismouth,andhismouthtomyear,heshouted,“Hangordrown!”andturninghisbackuponme,leapedoverthefartherbranchofthestream,andlandedsafe.
Iwasnowaloneupontherock,whichgavemethemoreroom;thebrandywassinginginmyears;Ihadthisgoodexamplefreshbeforeme,andjustwitenoughtoseethatifIdidnotleapatonce,Ishouldneverleapatall.Ibentlowonmykneesandflungmyselfforth,withthatkindofangerofdespairthathassometimesstoodmeinsteadofcourage.Sureenough,itwasbutmyhandsthatreachedthefulllength;theseslipped,caughtagain,slippedagain;andIwasslidderingbackintothelynn,whenAlanseizedme,firstbythehair,thenbythecollar,andwithagreatstraindraggedmeintosafety.
Neverawordhesaid,butsetoffrunningagainforhislife,andImuststaggertomyfeetandrunafterhim.Ihadbeenwearybefore,butnowIwassickandbruised,andpartlydrunkenwiththebrandy;IkeptstumblingasIran,Ihadastitchthatcameneartoovermasterme;andwhenatlastAlanpausedunderagreatrockthatstoodthereamonganumberofothers,itwasnonetoosoonforDavidBalfour.
AgreatrockIhavesaid;butbyrightsitwastworocksleaningtogetheratthetop,bothsometwentyfeethigh,andatthefirstsightinaccessible.
