hidden branch which impeded its course and turned it round in the
rapid river. The whole lengths of the canoe was thus brought
against the sunken tree, and in half a minute the five occupants of
the boat were struggling in the stream.

Abel Ring and the German were both standing on the bank close to the
water when this happened, and each for a moment looked into the
other's face. "Stand where you are," shouted the German, "so that
you may assist them from the shore. I will go in." And then,
throwing from him his boots and coat, he plunged into the river.

The canoe had been swept round so as to be brought by the force of
the waters absolutely in among the upturned roots and broken stumps
of the trees which impeded the river, and thus, when the party was
upset, they were at first to be seen scrambling among the branches.
But unfortunately there was much more wood below the water than
above it, and the force of the stream was so great, that those who
caught hold of the timber were not able to support themselves by it
above the surface. Arkwright was soon to be seen some forty yards
down, having been carried clear of the trees, and here he got out of
the river on the farther bank. The distance to him was not above
forty yards, but from the nature of the ground he could not get up
towards his wife, unless he could have forced his way against the
stream.

The Indian who had had charge of the baby rose quickly to the
surface, was carried once round in the eddy, with his head high
above the water, and then was seen to throw himself among the broken
wood. He had seen the dress of the poor woman, and made his effort
to save her. The other two men were so caught by the fragments of