midnight
Foley attempted to balance himself as he raised his pistol to shoot . In a flash the frail craft was caught in the conflicting currents , it careened and capsized , and the two men were battling for life in the whirlpool . Sandy was so intent on escape that he had gone some distance down stream before realizing he was no longer pursued . Suddenly an agonizing cry was borne on the midnight air : `` Help ! Help ! I 'm drownin ' ! '' The boy rested on his paddle , and scanned the river in the direction of the voice .