And there, more than one yard under water, I saw something clear, almost transparent, that moved with uncontrolled movements. I approached cautiously. There were two legs in the middle of a core full of algae and tree roots. Advancing quickly, I realized that a canoe had overturned and that someone was stuck underneath. I felt a wave of merry warmth fill my heart and I smiled.

I raised the canoe with one hand and I caught firmly a body. Barely had I raised it, when I heard a cry, and I almost lost hold of it. It was as if the current carried the person’s legs to try to help save them, but numbed, they no longer responded. The lightness of the body surprised me. By increasing the pressure of my fingers, I succeeded in bringing it to the surface. It was a little girl about six years old.

The feelings I felt were overwhelming.

“I am dying, sir? Tell me.” she asked.

I was so cold now – the fire had done its job in burning me – I could not feel much except her heat while I kept her above the waves.

Her hair was mixed with seaweed and her skin was pale after all this time spent in the water. She looked like a dead body that was talking. I swallowed with difficulty, and gently rubbed her back to warm her.