away, they dragged it by slow degrees up the bank. As its
struggles were not over, the task was not so easy as it would have been
had it been unable to offer any resistance. Its jaws continued to open,
showing its captors that it would be wise to keep at a respectable
distance. Kallolo, however, who did not fear to face it in the water,
did not hesitate to rush in and give it several additional stabs.

Tim's mind had been so entirely occupied with the strange situation in
which he found himself, that he had almost forgotten the cause which
first prompted him to leap on the monster's back. As soon, however, as
he was again on his feet, he recollected all about the matter, and
seeing Marian and me on the raft, with wild shouts he came rushing
towards us, exhibiting, by the most vehement gestures and extraordinary
antics, his delight at our safety.

"Sure and she's safe, the darling Miss Marian!" he cried out as he
sprang on board the raft; "and the brute of an alligator has not eaten
her, as I was fearing he would have been after doing. It's a mighty
fine counthry this, but it would be all the better if it was as free of
them creatures as Ould Ireland is of snakes and sarpents,--blessings on
the head of Saint Patrick who drove them all out."

After he had calmed down a little, Uncle Paul directed him to take one
of the paddles and to assist in navigating the raft home, while he
himself attended to Marian. He was anxious to get her safely on shore,
and placed in her cot, where she might enjoy that rest she so much
required. He and I sat by her side chafing her feet and hands. We
wished that we had had some of the skipper's schiedam to give to her;
but Uncle Paul had brought none with him, and we could think of no other
remedies than those we were already applying. The sun striking down on
us with its usual force, she did not feel any bad effects from being
wet. The colour gradually returned to her cheeks, and we trusted that
she would not suffer materially from the accident. Arthur and Tim
exerted themselves to the utmost to urge on the raft. We had no
difficulty in getting out of the river, as the current carried us
rapidly down to its mouth. We then made good progress along the shore.

Uncle Paul felt even more anxious about Marian than I did. I had never
seen him so affected. As she lay in his arms, he bent over her,
uttering endearing expressions. "Cheer up, my little maiden," he said;
"we shall soon