appearances our doom was sealed. The bowman regarded it
with a complacent smile, and stood quite motionless, merely casting a
glance backward. The steersman acknowledged the glance with a nod; one
long stroke of the great oar--the boat turned sharply aside, and swept
past in safety. There was no danger in such a big blustering rock as
that!

"'Prenez garde!' cried the bowman, in a warning tone, pointing to a spot
where lay a sunken rock. The steersman's quick hand turned the boat
aside; but the bowman had to lend his aid, and the strong pole bent like
a willow as he forced the boat's head away from the hidden danger. And
now the fall appeared. It was not high, perhaps four feet, but there was
a mighty gush of water there, and it was a bold leap for a heavy boat.

"'Prenez garde,--hurrah!--lads, give way!--well done!' The boat plunged
almost bows under, but she rose again like a duck on the foaming water.
The worst of it was past now; but there was still a ticklish bit
below--a bend in the river, where the sunken rocks were numerous, and
the surface of the water so white with foam, that it was difficult to
detect the channel.

"The bowman's duty now became more arduous. With knitted brows and
compressed lips he stood, every nerve and muscle strung for instant
action. The steersman watched his movements with intense earnestness, in
order to second them promptly. Ever and anon the stout pole was plunged
into the flood, first on one side, then on the other; the two guides
acted as if they had been one man, and the obedient craft sprang from
surge to surge in safety. Suddenly the bowman uttered a loud shout, as
the pole jammed between two rocks, and was wrenched from his grasp.

"'Another! another vite! vite!'

"One of the crew thrust a fresh pole into his hand. Plunging it into the
water, he exerted his giant strength with such violence as nearly to
upset the boat, but it was too late. The planks crashed like an
egg-shell as the boat dashed upon the rock, and the water began to rush
in, while the stern was swept round, and the blade of the steering oar
was smashed to atoms. Almost before we had time to think we were swept
down, stern foremost, and floated safely into an eddy at the foot of the
rapids. A few strokes of the oars brought us to the land; but, short
although the interval was between our striking the rock and running
ashore, it was sufficient to half-fill the boat with water.

"The danger was barely past,