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"Aye, aye, sir, " said he, and away we went, and paddled about
the docks for the best part of an hour. At the end of that time we
turned back and pulled up to the little quay from which we had
started. It was past eleven now and the place was crowded with
people. Half Brisport seemed to have concentrated round the iron
bridge. The melancholy hat was still visible.
"Shall I pull in, sir? " asked the boatman.
"Give me the sculls, " said I. "I want a bit of exercise — let us
change places, " and I stood up.
"Take care, sir! " yelled the boatman as I gave a stagger. "Look
out! " and he made a frantic grab at me, but too late, for with a
melodramatic scream I reeled and fell over into the Brisport dock.
I hardly realized what it was I was going to do until I had done
it. It was not a pleasant feeling to have the thick, clammy water
closing over one's head. I struck the bottom with my feet, and shot up
again to the surface. The air seemed alive with shouts. "Heave a
rope!' "Where is a boat-hook! " "Catch him! " "There he is! " The
boatman managed to hit me a smart blow on the head with something,
an oar, I fancy, and I went down again, but not before I had got my
lungs well filled with air. I came up again and my top-booted friend
seized me by the hair of my head as if he would tear my scalp off;
"Don't struggle! " he yelled, "and I'll save you yet. " But I shook him
off, and took another plunge. There was no resisting him next time,
however, for he got a boat-hook into my collar, and though I kept my
head under water as long as possible I was ignominiously hauled to
land.
There I lay on the hard stones of the quay, feeling very much
inclined to laugh, but looking, no doubt, very blue and ghastly. 'He's
gone, poor chap!' said someone. "Send for a doctor." "Run, run to
Markham, " "Quite dead. " "Turn him upside down. " 'Feel his pulse.'
'Slap him on the back. "
"Stop, " said a solemn voice – "stop? Can I be of any
assistance? I am a medical man. What has occurred? "
"A man drowned, " cried a score of voices. "Stand back, make
a ring-room for the doctor! "
"My name is Doctor Crabbe. Dear me, poor young gentleman!
Drop his hand,' he roared at a man who was making for my pulse. 'I
tell you in such a state the least pressure or impediment to the arterial
circulation might prove fatal. "