Part 10 (1/2)

For a little while they hoped, as they worked like madmen Then the full import of their position dawned upon the toward the brink of the awful cataract

Beads of cold perspiration broke out upon their foreheads A sickening numbness came into their hearts, and as in a dreaes upon the shore

VIII

AFTER THE INDIAN ATTACK

Below thery rapids and the dull, thunderous, monotonous undertone of the falls themselves

Before their vision a vivid picture passed of the scene they had so recently beheld--the onrushi+ng, white piled billows above the cataract, gathering strength for their e of the resistless torrent--the bank of rainbow-colouredin space over a dark abyss--and far below and beyond theflood was beating its wild anger out against jagged rocks in its ht its way to freedo cliffs on either side

I theava Bob were certain beyond a doubt that presently they were to be hurled into this awful chasm, and that in all human probability but a few minutes more of life remained to them

Then suddenly there flashed upon Bob's memory the recollection of an island which he had observed alking along the river bank froe trail

He reh polished cliffs rising on its upper end and on either side, like bulwarks to guard it froravelly point reached doard, like a pencil point, aravel which formed this point, he had remarked at the ti of the waters where they rushed together from either side below the island

With the recollection of the island came also a realisation that here possibly lay a means of escape A quick estie trail satisfied him that they were still perhaps half a mile above the island, and probably not too far a in upon it before it was passed, in which case a landing ravelly 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 , arose, and hi hi 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 becaava Bob the steers 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 froht 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 atchin' an'

guardin' us ere thinkin' as lost 'Tis th' Lard's way, Shad”

”My God, Bob! Look at that!” exclai toward the ht 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 treinative at ti 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 visible treination ran riot with his reason

”Why, Shad, what's th' matter now?” asked Bob solicitously ”Were th'

strain at th' paddle too ht--just foolish I'ame, Bob”

”Oh, but I knows you is, Shad I seen you turned over in th' Bay, Shad--an' I knows you'm wonderful brave”

”Thank you, Bob I hope I deserve your opinion”