Yet he knew they wero unreal that the
silence of the grave encompassed him,
and that his unruly brain engendered
them. Then suddenly, in the midst of
these, he heard a real sound, so clear
and distinct that it smote upon his ear
like a bell's tolling. It was the sound of
wattr. rimdinsr aud dartiusr close to his
eide. With Bilvery cadence it pplashed
and gurgled, and he felt its presence in
the sudden coolness and dampness that
it brought. With every sense alert he
listened. It was close beside him. What
conld it mean? It flowed thus for awhile,
and then its splashing seemed to cease,
and there remained a gentle rippling.
Then, to his horror, he felt its icy touch
upon his feet, and in a moment it was
round and aboutjiim, lapping his body
hungrily.
It rose rapidly. He could feel it com
ing up and swelling against his sides.
He had raised his head when he first be
gan to listen, and wnen he let it fall now
the water was above his chin. He raised
his head again, and then began another
struggle to lift himself upon his feet,
He gained his knees, his head reeling
with the effort; the water was already
up to his waist. He swaved from side
to side, scarcely able to support himself.
Cold shivers racked him; he trembled as
with an ague, and he felt that in an
other minute he would lose conscious
ness.
Then, whilelife seemed just denartinff.
