The very next Sunday morning, Parson Dan, and all those at church, were
astonished to see the scouts march in, accompanied by their
scout-master. It was the first time in years that the captain had been
there, and all noted how thoughtful and reverent he was. He had
ordered the scouts to attend Headquarters that morning, without telling
them of his plans. From there he had marched them straight to church,
with orders to behave themselves, and do credit to the troop.

That day there was no one in all the parish as pleased as Parson Dan at
the great change which had come over the careless and indifferent
captain.




CHAPTER XXV

DRIFT-LOGS

The following week was very stormy. The rain drove up from the south,
and the river rose rapidly. The ice, now greatly weakened, slowly
stirred before its final rush to the sea. Then the moment arrived when
it started forward, impelled by the gathering mass up-stream. All day
long it surged onward, and far on into the night, carrying along trees,
and stones, ripping and grinding, demolishing a wharf here, or
up-rooting a tree there. No power of man could stop it. People stood
on the shore watching the sight, familiar, and yet always new. The
last sign of winter had now departed, and all knew that in a few hours
the first steamer of the season would be on her way up-river.