It would be throwing away the men's lives."
"Do you know where the captain lives?" Percivale asked.
"If I did, I tell you it is of no use."
"Are you the captain yourself?" returned Percivale.
"What is that to you?" he answered, surly now. "I know my own business."
The same moment several of the crowd nearest the edge of the water made a
simultaneous rush into the surf, and laid hold of something, which, as they
returned drawing it to the shore, I saw to be a human form. It was the body
of a woman--alive or dead I could not tell. I could just see the long hair
hanging from the head, which itself hung backward helplessly as they bore
her up the bank. I saw, too, a white face, and I can recall no more.
"Run, Percivale," I said, "and fetch Turner. She may not be dead yet."
"I can't," answered Percivale. "You had better go yourself, Mr. Walton."
He spoke hurriedly. I saw he must have some reason for answering me so
abruptly. He was talking to a young fellow whom I recognised as one of the
most dissolute in the village; and just as I turned to go they walked away
together.
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