appear about to dash against some curling and bright wave that
showed itself even amid that obscurity; and as often did it glide
away again unharmed, impelled by the vigorous arm of him who
governed its movements. Once, and once only, did Jasper seem to
lose command of his frail bark, during which brief space it fairly
whirled entirely round; but by a desperate effort he brought it again
under control, recovered the lost channel, and was soon rewarded
for all his anxiety by finding himself floating quietly in the
deep water below the rapids, secure from every danger, and without
having taken in enough of the element to serve for a draught.

"All is over, Mabel," the young man cried cheerfully. "The danger
is past, and you may now indeed hope to meet your father this very
night."

"God be praised! Jasper, we shall owe this great happiness to
you."

"The Pathfinder may claim a full share in the merit; but what has
become of the other canoe?"

"I see something near us on the water; is it not the boat of our
friends?"

A few strokes of the paddle brought Jasper to the side of the object
in question: it was the other canoe, empty and bottom upwards. No
sooner did the young man ascertain this fact, than he began to search
for the swimmers, and, to his great joy, Cap was soon discovered
drifting down with the current; the old seaman preferring the
chances of drowning to those of landing among savages. He was