human
Now then, all of you! Where away?
gpt
Here!
human
Here!
gpt
All right, mate!
human
Lend a hand, some one!
gpt
Are you all here?
human
Ay, ay, ay, ay!
gpt
But I don't hear the young guvnor.
human
Where's Mr Rodd?
gpt
Mr Rodd! Ahoy!
human
Here, Joe, here!
gpt
Wheer, my lad?
human
Here! Here! Help!
gpt
But where's yer _here_, lad? I can't see you.--Can any of you? Oh, look alive, some on you! Get hold of the boy anywhere--arms or legs or anything--and hold on like grim death.
human
I'm down here.
gpt
Where's _down here_, my lad? Are you under the boat?
human
No, no. Hanging to a bough, with the water up to my chest, and something's tugging at me to drag me away.
gpt
Oh, a-mussy me! groaned the sailor.
human
Why aren't it to-morrow morning and sun up? Can't any of you see him?
gpt
No, no, no, no!
human
Well, can't you feel him, then?
gpt
No.
human
I am here, Joe--here! panted the lad.
gpt
Higher up the river than you are. A big branch swept me out of the boat.
human
Ah, yes, we went under it, groaned Joe.
gpt
Well, lads, he must be the other side of the tree. Here, where's that there boat? Can any of you see it?
human
No; we are all on us in the tree?
gpt
Well, I don't suppose you are swimming, roared Cross savagely.
human
Do something, some on you! Thinking of nothing but saving your own blessed lives! Are you going to let the poor lad drown?
gpt
Here, coxswain, why don't you tell us what to do?
human
How can I, yelled Joe,
gpt
Joe! Joe! came out of the darkness.
human
I can't hold on! I can't hold on!
gpt
Yah, you young idgit! roared the sailor.
human
You must!
gpt
I can't, Joe--I can't!
human
Oh-h! groaned Joe.
gpt
Don't I tell you you must! Hold on by your arms and legs--your eyelids. Stick your teeth into the branch. We are a-coming, my lad.--Oh my! what a lie! he muttered. Then aloud, and in a despairing tone,
human
Can any one of you get up again' the stream to where he is?
gpt
No! came in a deep murmur.
human
If we go down we shall be washed away.
gpt
Same here, groaned Joe.
human
I'm a-holding on with the water right up to the middle, and just about ready to be washed off. I can't stir. Oh, do one of you try and save the poor dear lad! I wish I was dead, I do!
gpt
Joe!
human
Ay, ay, my lad!
gpt
Tell Uncle Paul--