escape. A quick estimate of the distance they
had already drifted below the portage trail satisfied him that they
were still perhaps half a mile above the island, and probably not too
far amidstream to enable them to swing in upon it before it was
passed, in which case a landing might be made with comparative ease
upon the gravelly point.

The canoe, as previously stated, was heading upstream, with Bob in the
bow, Shad in the stern. It was necessary that they turn around and
secure a view of the river in order to avoid possible reefs near the
island shore, and to properly pick an available landing place.

But to attempt to turn the canoe itself in the swift current would in
all probability result in fatal delay. Therefore, acting upon the
moment's instinct, Bob ceased paddling, arose, and himself quickly
turned, seating himself face to the stern, shouting to Shad as he did
so:

"Turn! I'll steer!"

Shad had no doubt Bob had become demented, but without question obeyed
the command. In this position what had previously been the stern of
the canoe now became the bow, Shad Trowbridge the bowman and Ungava
Bob the steersman.

The moment paddling ceased the canoe shot forward in the current,
heading toward the white waters of the rapids. The manoeuvre had not
been made a moment too soon, for directly before them, a little to the
left, lay the island.

With a quick, dexterous turn of the paddle Bob swung the canoe toward
the island shore farthest from the mainland and, close under the
cliffs, caught the retarding shore current. A few seconds later the
bow of the little craft ground upon the gravelly point, Shad sprang
ashore, Bob at his heels, and the canoe was drawn after them to
safety.

For a moment Bob and Shad looked at each other in silence, then Shad
exclaimed simply: "Thank God!"

"Aye," said Bob reverently, "thank th' Lard. He were watchin' an'
guardin' us when we were thinkin' we was lost. 'Tis th' Lard's way,
Shad."

"My God, Bob! Look at that!" exclaimed Shad, pointing toward the mad
white waters below them. "If you hadn't thought of this island, Bob,
we'd be in there now--in there--dead! My God, what an escape! And such
a death!"

Shad sank upon a bowlder, white and trembling. He was no coward, but
he was highly imaginative at times. During the trying period in the
canoe he was cool and brave. He had done his part at the paddle
equally as well as Bob. He would have gone to his death without a
visib