The river had risen. Heracles stood at the edge of it with his wife Deianira, and he could cross it himself, but she could not easily.
A centaur was standing on the bank. “It is my trade to carry people over for a fee.” He took Deianira up on his back.
Heracles swam across first and looked back to see Nessus making off in the other direction. He raised his bow.