"Thank Heaven!" cried Mrs Campbell, in a low voice, clasping her hands
in gratitude.

Alfred leaped off his saddle, and hastened to communicate the news.
John, trusting too much to his own powers, had gone out into the punt,
and soon found out that he could not manage it in so strong a wind. He
attempted to get back to the beach, but was unsuccessful, and had, as we
have said, been carried away by the wind and current down towards the
rapids; but it so happened, that before Alfred had arrived at the fort,
Captain Sinclair had observed the punt adrift, and, by the aid of a
telescope, ascertained that John was in it, exerting himself very
vigorously, but to no purpose. Captain Sinclair, having reported it to
the Commandant and obtained permission, had launched one of the
_bateaux_, manned by the soldiers, and had brought John and the punt on
shore, about four miles below the fort, and not until they had arrived
in the strong current of the rapids, which in another hour would have,
in all probability, proved fatal. Alfred, from the fort, had seen
Captain Sinclair gain the shore, with John and the punt in tow, and, as
soon as he was satisfied of his brother's safety, had ridden back as
fast as he could, to communicate it.

This intelligence gave them all great delight, and now that they knew
that John was safe, they waited his return with patience.

Captain Sinclair arrived, with John behind him, on horseback, about two
hours afterwards, and was greatly welcomed.

"Indeed, Captain Sinclair, we are under great obligations to you. Had
you not been so active, the boy might have been lost," said Mrs
Campbell. "Accept my best thanks."

"And mine," said Mary, extending her hand to him.

"John, you have frightened me very much," said Mrs Campbell; "how could
you be so imprudent as to go on the lake in such a high wind? See, what
a narrow escape you have had."

"_I_ should have been at Montreal to-morrow morning," said John,
laughing.

"No, never; you would have been upset in the rapids long before you
could get to Montreal."

"Well, mother, I can swim," replied John.

"You naughty boy, nothing will make you afraid."

"Well, ma'am, it's a good fault, that of having confidence in yourself,
so don't check it too much," replied Malachi. "It saves many a man who
would otherwise be lost."

"That's very true, Malachi," observed Alfred; "so, now that he is safe
back, we won't scold John any more. He will know bette