Miss Barky jumped off the railing, but Slick Philly still had a hold of her as they plumeted down, down, into the muddy water below. Slick plashed and spluttered and was pulled below the surface a few times too, but for all that he did NOT let go his grip on Miss Barky. "By life and limb I promise to save you! That I will!" he heard himself shouting above the turbulent sound of the speeding Steamboat. Which a mighty heave and a near-backbreaking twist, he righted himself in the water and began to pull Miss Barky to sure. The struggle was almost more than he could handle, but a sudden leap of adrenaline, he quickly brought them against the current--across the path of the gaining Mary Greene. He was not afraid to look straight down the throat of dangeer--one thought and only one thought remained in his mind--to bring her through alive. But he did make it, with only minutes to spare, to the far bank, when he layed her on a bed of soft leaves, trying desperately to remove the water from her lungs...

--Slick Philly Matt