It was of a height that, seen at a little distance,
might even a tall woman. It put out two broken, shortened branches
like arms.... He lost himself in the study of possibilities, balanced
among the reeds that sighed around. He could not decide, so at last he
shook himself from that consideration, and, pushing into shallow
water, stepped from the pool. He had taken a few steps up the moor ere
with suddenness he felt that Ian was not with him. He turned. Ian was
yet out in the middle ring of the tarn. The light struck upon his
head. Then he dived under--or seemed to dive under. He was long in
coming up; and when he did so it was in the same place and his
backward-drawn face had a strangeness.
"Ian!"
Ian sank again.
"He's crampit!" Alexander flashed like a thrown brand down the way he
had mounted and across the strip of weeds, and in again to the
steel-dark water. "I'm coming!" He gained to his fellow, caught him
ere he sank the third time.
Dragged from the Kelpie's Pool, Ian lay upon the moor. Alexander,
bringing with haste the clothes from the stone above, knelt beside
him, rubbed and kneaded the life into him. He opened his eyes.
"Alexander--!"
Alexander rubbed with vigor. "I'm here. Eh, lad, but you gave me a
fright!"
In another five minutes he sat up. "I'm--I'm all right now. Let's get
our things on and go.
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