ouch the second rock, and clamber upon it in safety. During the
passage across he was watched by his companions with emotions of no
ordinary character, but as soon as he had reached the opposite end of
the rope all three uttered a loud and simultaneous cheer. Lucien passed
over next, and after him Francois. Notwithstanding his danger, Francois
laughed loudly all the time he was in the water, while his brothers were
not without some fears for his safety. Marengo was next attached to the
rope, and pulled safely over.

Norman was the last to cross upon the buckskin bridge, but, like the
others, he landed in safety; and the four, with the dog, now stood upon
the little isolated boulder, where there was just room enough to give
them all a footing.

A difficulty now presented itself, which they had not hitherto thought
of. Another reach of rapid current was to be crossed, before they could
safely trust themselves to enter the water. This they knew before, but
they had also noticed that there was another jutting rock, upon which
they might fling their rope. But the rope itself was now the
difficulty. It was fast at both ends, and how were they to release it
from the rock they had left? One of them could easily cross over again
and untie it, but how was he to get back to the others? Here was a
dilemma which had not presented itself before, and they now saw
themselves no better off than ever. The rapid that remained to be
crossed, was as dangerous as the one they had succeeded in passing.
There was no hope that they could swim it in safety. They would
certainly be swept with violence against the rocks below. There was no
chance, then, of their going an inch farther--unless by some means
similar to that they had just used, and the rope was no longer at their
service.

For some time they all stood silent, each considering the matter in his
own way. How could they free the rope?

"It cannot be done," said one. "Impossible," rejoined another. "We
must make a second rope. Francois's shirt still remains, and our
leggings--we can use them."

This was the mode suggested by Francois and Norman, and Lucien seemed to
assent to it. They had already commenced untying their leggings, when
Basil uttered the ejaculation--

"Stop!"

"Well, what is it, brother?" asked Lucien.

"I think I can free the rope at the other end. At all events, let me
try. It will not cost much, either in time or trouble."

"How do you me