, and give his master a
midnight walk through the dripping and rough woods, but Mabel addressed
him again with a quiet firmness which he could not find the heart to
resist.

"Put on shore, Ben, and take your master in."

"I begin to thing he's took us all in a little too often!" muttered Ben;
but he turned reluctantly for the shore, and Harrington, without
speaking, took his place in the boat.

The moon had broken through the drift-clouds left by the storm, before
the little party reached the cove below General Harrington's dwelling.
The front of the house was entirely dark, but lights wandered to and fro
along the hollow, and anxious voices were heard calling to each other
along the bank.

"They're out searching for us!" said Ben, dropping his oars and making
an impromptu speaking-trumpet of his hand. Directly his voice rang along
the shore.

"Ben Benson, and passengers from down stream. All well!"

A shout answered from the shore, and directly eager voices and rapid
footsteps rushed toward the little cove; first came Ralph, wild with
joy, leaping downward like a panther.

"Is she safe! is she here!" he cried, pausing with dread upon the bank.

"Ralph, Ralph!"

He knew the voice. He sprang into the boat, and fell upon his knees
before his mother.

"Thank God, oh mother, mother!"

He could say no more. Unspeakable joy choked his utterance. He kissed
her hands, her face, and her wet robes.

"Mother, mother, tell me what has happened! You are cold--you
tremble--all your clothes are wet--your bonnet is off--that dear pale
face, oh mother, you have been in danger, and I not there!"

His love gave her strength. She took his head between her trembling
hands, and kissed him again and again on the forehead.

"Oh, yes, my Ralph, I have been very near death--but with all this to
live for, God would not let me die."

"No, no, he could not make us so wretched. Oh, mother, what would home
be without you? It is only an hour or two since we missed you; but those
hours were full of desolation. Tell me--tell me how it was!"

"They did it--they will tell you--I was in the depths of the river, but
they drew me out."

"They, my brother James, and that blessed old rogue, Ben Benson, did
they save you, mother, while I--I, your only son--was dreaming at home?
Oh, James, must I thank you for my mother, with all the rest!"

"Thank God, Ralph, for He has saved your mother!"

His voice was impressive and solemn. It seemed