less stopped in its course, it must
eventually reach them.

Mrs Barton and Fanny cried in vain to the spectators to aid in rescuing
the children. Some of the men ran along the bank up the stream, but
others stood still, and declared they had no power to save the children.

"Still, if you would but swim in, you might get on board the boat before
it has gone far," exclaimed Mrs Barton.

"And run a pretty fair chance of losing our own lives," was the reply
made by some of the men.

Some way down, another boat was at length seen. It was a small, frail
skiff, and moored very near the commencement of the rapids.

"Will any one try and save my children?" exclaimed Mrs Barton in
despair.

Again the men shook their heads.

"Not for a thousand pounds. Before one could reach the boat in that
rotten canoe, she would be among the rapids."

The fond mother and Fanny became almost frantic with despair. Just at
that moment a figure was seen bounding down from a neighbouring height.
In an instant, with a knife, he cut the painter securing the skiff to
the shore. A pair of paddles were in the skiff. He leaped in and
shoved off from the bank. Mrs Barton knew him, and so did Fanny.

"It's Frank Carlton!" they exclaimed. "Oh, blessings on him! May God
protect him!"

Already the boat was approaching the commencement of the rapids. Once
in their power, even his sturdy arms could scarcely stem the current.
Not for one moment did he calculate the difficulty or danger he was to
undergo. With rapid strokes he pursued the floating boat. How eagerly
did the fond mother watch his proceedings! She stood apparently calm on
the bank, only now and then extending her arms, as if she would draw
back the boat which contained her loved ones.

Still, to those who looked on it seemed scarcely possible that the
children could escape. If they were lost, so also would be Frank
Carlton. Still he pursued. The motion of the boat which contained the
boys showed its near approach to the rapids. In two or three minutes it
would be within their power. It seemed hardly credible that he could
reach it even in that time. Onward he went, every now and then turning
his head round to watch the boat. Already it began to leap and toss.
The water foamed around it.

"See! he has got alongside!" exclaimed the people from the shore; "but
will he have strength to stem the current on his return?"

A glance showed him that two oars were in the boat