interest as a child regards the leaps of a tumbler.

As soon as the boat was in the stream, Pathfinder sank on his
knees, continuing to use the paddle, though it was slowly, and in
a manner not to interfere with the efforts of his companion. The
latter still stood erect; and, as he kept his eye on some object
beyond the fall, it was evident that he was carefully looking for
the spot proper for their passage.

"Farther west, boy; farther west," muttered Pathfinder; "there
where you see the water foam. Bring the top of the dead oak in a
line with the stem of the blasted hemlock."

Eau-douce made no answer; for the canoe was in the centre of the
stream, with its head pointed towards the fall, and it had already
begun to quicken its motion by the increased force of the current.
At that moment Cap would cheerfully have renounced every claim to
glory that could possibly be acquired by the feat, to have been
safe again on shore. He heard the roar of the water, thundering,
as it might be, behind a screen, but becoming more and more
distinct, louder and louder, and before him he saw its line cutting
the forest below, along which the green and angry element seemed
stretched and shining, as if the particles were about to lose their
principle of cohesion.

"Down with your helm, down with your helm, man!" he exclaimed,
unable any longer to suppress his anxiety, as the canoe glided
towards the edge of the fall.

"Ay, ay, down it is sure enough," answered Pathfinder, looking