|
|
|
|
|
|
Luckily, the bateau had drifted so it was not too far from the left shore. She glanced at Samuel and John. For the moment, neither was looking at her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She had a fleeting thought about the bags she'd been told were hers. Well, she'd no choice. She'd leave them. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She was a good swimmer, thank heavens. With no further thought, she jumped into the water. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She hadn't considered the effects of water on her long, heavy dress. Matilda had not jumped into the water; she had fallen in as she fought off the men. The script hadn't mentioned her struggles in the river. Though Mariah was strong enough to strike out for the bank, the waterlogged material weighed her down, slowing her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Hey!" called one of the men behind her. "Grab her." That was not dialogue from the screenplay. "She's getting away!'' She heard the splashing as they must have worked to slow the bateau's progress downstream and come back for her. She did the crawl the way she always had, letting the even kicks of her legs propel her forward, though they tangled in the cumbersome material of her dress. The long, even motions of her arms helped. She turned her head every few strokes for a breath. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She felt exhausted almost immediately. When she hesitated, she felt herself begin to sink. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An arm grabbed her before she went underfrom the boat. "No!" she screamed. Wrenching free, she kicked hard, plunging below the surface. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The water was clear and blue. The sun lit the sparkling surface, but she stayed below, kicking and holding her breath. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Catch her!" shouted a loud voice somewhere above her. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Can't! Damned batean's drifting too far away again." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Had the men in the script spoken those lines? She could not recall. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She heard the splashing of the oars, but she couldn't tell their distance or direction. Her lungs stung. She longed to head up for a breath, but she forced herself to stay underwater and out of easy reach, fighting to keep herself from sinking further. |
|
|
|
|
|