each the great black mound of
boughs which we could dimly see a short distance away.

"How far do you think it is from daybreak, Morgan?" said my father
suddenly, after what seemed to me a terrible time of suspense.

"Don't know, sir. Daren't guess at it," said Morgan, despondently.
"Time has gone so slowly that it may be hours off yet."

"No," said my father, "it cannot be very far away. If I could feel sure
I would still wait before making our attempt, but I am afraid to wait
long. We are getting chilled and numb."

"Just so, sir," said Morgan, sadly. "You think for us all, sir, and
give your orders. I'll do my best."

There was another pause, and I heard my father draw a deep breath, and
then speak sharply--

"Well, George," he said; "how do you feel for your swim?"

I tried to answer, but a feeling of despair choked me, as I looked
across at the dark boughs, thought of the depth of water between, and
that I could not swim there now.

"Oh, come, come, lad, pick up," cried my father. "The distance is
nothing. I shall want you to help me."

"Yes, father," I said, despondently; and I heard him draw a deep,
catching breath.

But he knew that on him lay the task of saving us all, and he said
cheerfully--

"You can easily swim that, Hannibal?"

"Yes, sah," said the black, quietly.

"And you, Pompey?"

"Eh, massa? Swim dat? Yes, Pomp swim all dat, sah."

"We shall be forced to start directly," said my father. "Do you hear,
Morgan? We must not wait to be floated off."

"No, sir," replied Morgan; and his voice sounded sad and grave, and a
low sigh came from by his side. Then arose in a low voice--

"Master George, dear, could you get here?"

"Yes," I said, trying to stir myself; and, catching hold of my father's
hand, I stood up with a foot on each side of the ridge, stiff, cramped,
and with the water streaming from me.

"That's right," said my father, cheerfully. "Mind how you go, my lad.
It will stretch your legs. Take hold of Hannibal; don't slip and get a
ducking."

He said all this cheerily, and I knew it was to encourage us all; but as
I passed by him, stepping right over his legs, he whispered, "Speak
cheerily to the poor woman."

"Yes, father," I whispered back.

"Don't keep him, Sarah," said my father. "I want to come there myself;
I shall swim by your other side."

She did not answer, and I crept by Hannibal and then over Pomp, who gave
me a hug, his teeth chattering as