Another heavy squall again hid the boat from the sight of Newton, who had been anxiously watching to ascertain if any relief was sent from the shipping, and who was now convinced that the disaster had not been perceived.  He therefore ran down the bank of the river, waiting until the squall should blow over, and enable him to discover the boat.

In about ten minutes the squall passed over, and the boat was again presented to his sight; she was still in the centre of the stream, about three hundred yards from the shore.  The man who was in her, finding all his attempts futile, had lain on his oar, and was kneeling in the sternsheets, apparently in supplication.  Newton could not resist the appeal; it appeared to point out to him that he was summoned to answer the call made upon Providence.  The boat was now a quarter of a mile further down the river than where he stood, and about three miles from the town and shipping, both of which were no longer discernible from the thickness of the weather.  Newton threw off his coat, and plunging into the agitated water, the cold of which nearly checked his respiration, swam off into the stream in a direction so as to allow himself to fetch to windward of the boat.  He was soon carried down to it by the rapidity of the tide, and, as he approached, he shouted to announce his presence.  The man in the boat started up at the sound of a human voice, and perceiving Newton close to the bows, leant over and extended his hand towards him.  Newton seized hold of it, and then was whirled round by the tide fore and aft with the side of the boat, with such violence as nearly to drag the other man out, and half fill the boat with water.  It was with great difficulty, although assisted by the occupant, that Newton contrived at last to get in; when, exhausted with the efforts he had made, he remained a few seconds without motion; the man, whom he had thus risked his life to save, perceiving his condition, and not speaking to him.

“We have no time to lose,” said Newton, at last:  “take an oar, and let us pull in for the shore.  If once we are swept down to the narrows there will be little chance for us.”

The other complied, without speaking; and, after a few minutes’ exertion, the boat was safely landed on the Liverpool side of the river.

“The Lord be praised!” ejaculated Newton’s companion, as he laid on his oar.  “I did not call upon Him in vain; your accident has been the means of my preservation.”

“How do you mean?” inquired Newton.

“Why, did you not fall overboard?” replied the other.

Newton then explained to his companion what we have already related to the reader, ending his narrative with the observation, that when he perceived him praying for assistance in his peril, he could not resist the appeal.