On the following morning they were astir very early, and Mrs.
Arkwright was so much better that she offered to sit again upon her
mule. The men, however, declared that they would finish their task,
and she was placed again upon the litter. And then with slow and
weary step they did make their way to the river bank. It was not
yet noon when they saw the mud fort which stands there, and as they
drew into the enclosure round a small house which stands close by
the river side, they saw the three postmen still busy about their
packages.

"Thank God!" said Arkwright.

"Thank God, indeed!" said his brother. "All will be right with you
now."

"Well, Fanny," said her husband, as he took her very gently from the
litter and seated her on a bench which stood outside the door. "It
is all over now,--is it not?"

She answered him by a shower of tears, but they were tears which
brought her relief. He was aware of this, and therefore stood by
her, still holding her by both her hands while her head rested
against his side. "You will find the motion of the boat very
gentle," he said; "indeed there will be no motion, and you and baby
will sleep all the way down to Greytown." She did not answer him in
words, but she looked up into his face, and he could see that her
spirit was recovering itself.

There was almost a crowd of people collected on the spot,
preparatory to the departure of the canoes. In the first place