Benedict had jumped into the Main on the left side of the bridge; the current carried him towards the arches. When he came to the surface he looked round him and saw a boat moored to one of them. A man was lying in the boat. Benedict swam towards him with one hand, holding his rifle above the water with the other. The boatman seeing him coming raised his oar.
"Prussian or Austrian?" asked he.
"French," answered Benedict. The boatman held out his hand.
Benedict, dripping as he was, jumped into the boat.
"Twenty florins," he said, "if we are in Dettingen in an hour. We have the current with us and I will row with you."
"That will be easy," said the boatman, "if you are sure you will keep your word."
"Wait a minute," said Benedict; throwing down his Styrian tunic and cap, and feeling in
