The way is narrow. And for God's sake, keep to the upper side
of the shallows. Stand in the middle, Trench, and don't let them
get down stream below you."

They were all safely across except Vic and Elinor, when Trench cried out:

"Send your girl in quick, Burleigh, and you run west.
The flood is at the bend now. Hurry!"

"Run in, Elinor. Trench will take you through, and I'll follow,
for I can swim and he can't. I'll be right behind you. Run!"

A vision of the whirlpool and of Swift Elk and The Fawn
flashed into Elinor's mind, filling her with terror.
Before Vic could push her forward, Trench shouted:

"It's too late. Don't try it. I've got to run."

He was strong and sure-footed and he fought his way gallantly
to the further side as a great wave swirled around the curve
of the river, engulfing the shallows in its mad surge.
When he reached the east bank the count of the company numbered
all but two.

"It's Vic and Elinor," Trench declared. "Vic wouldn't come till the last,
and Elinor was too dead scared to trust anybody else, I guess.
Nobody could cross there now, Professor. But Vic is as strong as an ox
and he's not afraid of the devil. He'll keep both their heads above water.
He wants to win out in the Thanksgiving game too much to get lost now.
Trust him to get up the bluff some way, and back to town by the Main