Vagaries occasioned by a high temperature, would suddenly vanish as the
struggling mind briefly asserted itself. As he resumed paddling, some
swaying willows became three ladies attired in the Grecian bend costume,
then a fad in America, smiling and bowing to him. His mind told him they
were only willows; but his eyes would not be convinced.
Darkness fell about him. He had no idea of where he was going, and the
lights burst on him again with increased brilliancy. No matter where his
eyes turned, the intense rays would shine into them. He thought he had
arrived at Cremona, and that some men were turning the reflector to
annoy him. "Keep those lights off," he shouted, "don't you see they are
blinding me?"
Reason came for an instant and told him there was no town and no lights.
He knew he must call for help, but several minutes elapsed before he
could remember the proper Italian word. Then he cried:
"Soccorso, soccorso!"
But only the echo responded from the lonely shore.
He again reached the bank, formed by a dyke which protects the lowlands
from the floods. He climbed to the top, carrying the little tender in
his arms. Then he could hear the tack, tack, tack, of some one pounding,
and through an open door he saw a shoemaker hammering away at the sole
of a boot on his knee.
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