luded to, and did not know that the water was pouring over it
in such torrents that it was extremely dangerous. He entered the raging
current and was rapidly carried toward it. When he realized the danger
he was approaching, it was too late to retreat, owing to the terrific
power of the current that was bearing him to the falls. As he went
over the sloping volume of water, he was met at the bottom by an
immense back wave which drove him under. Where the clashing waves
embraced each other, he was checked and held, being rolled like a log
that is caught between a back and an undertow. Thousands of people
crowded the banks in the vicinity of the pescaia and they gave Boyton
up as lost. Men turned pale and women fainted. Now and again they could
see an arm protruding from the dark, angry waters; then a leg and an end
of his paddle which he had the presence of mind to retain. It was
impossible to get a rope to him and certain death to attempt a rescue
with a boat.

"Only God can save him now," yelled some excited Italian, "no man can do
it."

The multitude felt there was nothing to be done but to stand helplessly
by and watch him drown. And what were Boyton's thoughts? He stated
afterwards: "I thought of it being Christmas eve. The news of my death
would be telegraphed to New York, my mother would hear of it and it
would make a sad Christmas for her." The voyager straggled with all the
strength he possessed against the awful power of the contending waters
and fortunately succeeded in throwing himself out on a big wave and was
carried down. A great sigh of relief went up from the crowd which
sounded like the rush of distant wind.

Soon after Paul was pulled from the river insensible. When he recovered
from that adventure, King Victor Emanuel gave permission for him to
appear in the Jardin Boboli. The excitement was so great during that
appearance and the crowd so large that ticket takers were carried
away from the gates, and though many thus entered free, several thousand
francs were realized.

Paul was now the fashion in Italy. Songs were composed and sung in his
honor at the theatres, brands of cigars and other articles were given
his name; business men had their calendars for the new year printed with
his adventures detailed on them, and the citizens of Meletti
christened a lake after him. Managers of places of amusement advertised
that he would be present at their enterta