n the ice-cake promptly, and was now
bearing down upon it with all the strength of his powerful arms. But
the task was beyond him; the ice and the boat clung together, and the
ice was reinforced by several other cakes which its checked motion
permitted to close with it. The vast mass crashed against the side of
the boat; the oar of the first rower was broken short off at the
oar-lock; if the others went the situation of the helpless boat would
be, indeed, hopeless. The general himself came to the rescue.
Promptly divining the situation, he stepped forward to Bentley's side,
and threw his own immense strength upon the pole. Great beads of sweat
stood out on Bentley's bronzed forehead as he renewed his efforts; the
stout hickory sapling bent and crackled beneath the pressure of the two
men, but held on, and the boat slowly but steadily began to swing clear
of the ice. These two Homeric men held it off by sheer strength, until
the boat was in freewater, and the men, who had sat like statues in
their places, could once more use their oars. The general stepped back
into his place, cool and calm as usual, and entirely unruffled by his
great exertions. Bentley wiped the sweat from his face, and turned and
looked back at him in admiration.

"Friend Bentley," he said quietly, "you are a man of mighty thews and
sinews. Had it not been for your powerful arms, I fear we would have
had a ducking--or worse."

"Lord love you, your honor," said the astonished tailor, "I 've met my
match! It was your arm that saved us. I was almost done for. I never
saw such strength as that, though when I was younger I would have done
better. What a man you would be for reefing topsails in a gale o'
wind, your honor, sir!" he continued, thrusting his pole vigorously
into a small and impertinent cake of ice in the way. The general was
proud of his great strength, and not ill pleased at the genuine and
hearty admiration of this genuine and hearty man.

A few moments later they stepped ashore, and a mighty cheer went up
from the men who had crowded upon the banks, at the safety of their
beloved general. Greene met him at the landing, and the two men
clasped hands. The general immediately mounted his powerful white
horse, and stationed himself on a little hillock to watch the landing
of the rest of the men, engaging General Greene in a low conversation
the while.

"Do you know, Greene, that Gates has refused my entreaty to stop one
day