earable, and shifting the body of the Texan so that
his head would remain clear of the ever deepening wash in the bottom of
the boat, she seized the pole and worked frantically. But after a few
moments she realized the futility of her puny efforts to deviate the
heavy craft a hair's breadth from its course. The tree-root that had
knocked the Texan unconscious had descended upon the boat, and remained
locked over the gunwale, holding the trunk with its high-flung tangle of
roots and branches close alongside, the whole structure moving as one
mass.

She discarded the pole and tried to arouse the unconscious man, shaking
and pounding him vigorously. After a time his head moved slightly and
redoubling her efforts, she soon had the satisfaction of seeing his eyes
open slowly. His hand raised to his bandaged head, and dropped
listlessly to his side. Placing her lips close to his ear to make
herself heard above the roar of the storm, she begged and implored him
to rouse himself. He evidently understood, for he moved his arms and
legs and shifted his body into a more comfortable position.
"I--don't--remember--" the words came in a low, faltering voice,
"what--happened."

"When you cut the cable that root hit you on the head," she explained,
pointing to the root-stub that held the boat firmly against the trunk of
the tree.

He nodded his understanding, and in the illumination of the almost
continuous flashes of lightning stared at the root, as if trying to
collect his scattered wits. The boat jerked unsteadily, hesitated,
jerked again and the branches and uplifted roots of the tree swayed and
thrashed wildly. He struggled to his knees, and holding to the girl's
arm raised himself unsteadily to his feet where he stood swaying
uncertainly, his eyes fixed on the thrashing branches. His vitality
returned with a rush. His eyes narrowed as he pointed out the danger,
and his voice rang strong above the storm: "Where's the ax?"

Stooping, the girl recovered it from the water at her feet. Instantly,
it was seized from her hand, and staggering to the root, the Texan
chopped at it with blows that increased in vigour with each successive
swing. A few moments sufficed to sever it, and springing to one side,
the man drew the girl to the bottom of the boat, while above them the
branches thrashed and tore at the gunwales. A moment later the craft
floated free, and placing his lips to her ear, the Texan explained:
"They stick down as far as