came on and their only chance of safety was, if possible, to stick to
the plank box in the hope that the currents might carry them to some
point where they could get safely to shore. Next day their unwieldy
craft grounded near Nappan, and they at once landed and were hospitably
entertained at a farm-house near by. After getting supplies and sending
word to Prospect of their safety, they again boarded their strange
vessel and succeeded that day in getting back to the mouth of the
river, and finally back to their starting point.

Mrs. Trueman never wholly recovered from the nervous shock of that
night. There was little hope in the minds of any that the men would
ever get safely to land.

Thirty years had passed since the family had left England. The letter
given below shows how warm an interest the friends there still had in
them:

"DEAR COUSIN,--We received yours dated Jan. 15, but not till late in
September, 1804, and we are glad to hear that you and your family are
all in good health and enjoying prosperity in your affairs of life. We
had heard by your last letter of the death of your mother. My kind
husband died something more than six years since. Your Aunt Sarah
Bently died some time before my husband. Your Aunt Mary Flintoft is yet
alive and enjoys as good health as can be expected, her age considered.
Your Aunt Ann Trueman is yet alive and well as can be expected. Your
Cousin Harmon married and is doing very well. He lives at Kelshaw, in
the west of Yorkshire, and has a large family and keeps a public house.
Alice is married and lives at Woodhouse Croft and has only one son. Ann
and Sarah both live at Hornby and enjoy good health. I and my eight
children live yet at the old habitation, namely at Helmhouse, and enjoy