The Argosy — page 299: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

278 My Saturdays. VI. AFTER the discovery of the canoe, Archibald started off, rowing as fast as he possibly could, and shouting every now and then. Very soon, however, he realised that a long search might be before him, and that he must economise his strength; also, that a few minutes were not likely to make any difference, whether the worst had hap- pened, or whether Imogen had in some way escaped. He began therefore to search methodically, rowing at a reasonable pace, and exploring both banks of the river. While he was going up a _back- water, the boatmen overtook him ; and each boat taking one side of the stream, they went on in company. Archie did not know how the time passed, but he seemed to live years in that awful search. Up they went, peering into every corner. What was that under the little bridge P Nothing but the shadow on aclump of rushes. Round that island there is a current ; anything brought down by the stream might lodge there. No; there was only a heap of foam. Besides, if it were so, she would not be likely to be floated down. How strong the stream was! how slowly they passed the familiar banks! Stop; what was that, caught under a willow, swaying slowly in a swirl close to the bank? All the men caught sight of it at the same time, and bent to their oars. Archibald had been at the other side of the river, and the boatmen were first close to the dark moving heap. One of them took his oar out of the water. ‘“‘ Bless yer, sir,” said the man; ‘‘it’s a sheep: that’s what it is!” He turned back to his own shore, feeling as if he had been wrenched in pieces. His hands literally shook, and for a minute he could not pull a stroke; but the horror of feeling himself drifting back restored his self-control, and again he rowed up stream. “Tis not half-a-mile to the lock, now,” remarked one of the men. ‘She can’t have gone beyond that.” Only half-a-mile more of hope! They came to a wide stretch with grassy banks at each side. Here they could easily see whatever was to be seen, and they moved faster. ‘The lock must be near now and there they might hear some terrible news, or come up against a blank hard wall of despair. Round a bend now; were they coming to the lock at this turn? Not yet ; here was one of those innumerable willow-covered islets that stud the Thames. ‘They had spent much time on their slow progress, and it was growing dusk; but surely there was something light upon it—something that moved. Archie tried to shout, but his voice would not come; he made one great effort, and it sounded aloud, but hoarse and changed. ‘“* Halloo !” ‘“* Here!” rang the clear reply. A few tremendous strokes brought him to theislet. He sprang out of his boat, and clasped Imogen in his arms. COPMICMOOOKS Con