Don't struggle; don't move; above all, don't try
and lift your head, and don't mind if a little water gets in your
mouth. Now!"
For a moment Ruthven felt himself under water, and had to make a great
effort to restrain himself from struggling to come to the surface.
Then he felt himself lying on his back in the water, supported by
Frank. The motion was not unpleasant as he rose and fell on the
waves, although now and then a splash of water came over his face,
and made him cough and splutter for breath. He could see nothing but
the blue sky overhead, could feel nothing except that occasionally he
received a blow from one or other of Frank's knees, as the latter
swam beneath him, with Ruthven's head on his chest. It was a dreamy
sensation, and looking back upon it afterwards Ruthven could never
recall anything that he had thought of. It seemed simply a drowsy
pleasant time, except when occasionally a wave covered his face.
His first sensation was that of surprise when he felt the motion
change, and Frank lifted his head from the water and said, "Stand
up, old fellow. Thank God, here we are, safe!"
Frank had indeed found the journey easier than that which he had
before undertaken with the others.
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