Some light-wood splinters were quickly thrown upon the smouldering
remains of the fire, and as it blazed up brightly, the lighter, in
which the whites had been sleeping, was seen to be on its beam
ends. One side rested high up on the bank and the other down in
the mud at the bottom of the river, just on the edge of the
channel. Some little distance down stream a sorry-looking figure,
which was hardly recognizable as that of Jan, was floundering
through the mud and water towards the bank. On the lower side of
the lighter the canvas, that had been spread like a tent over the
afterpart, had broken from its fastenings, and was now tossing and
heaving in a most remarkable manner. From beneath it came the
smothered cries of the Elmers, who had been suddenly wakened to
find themselves mixed together in the most perplexing way, and
entangled in their blankets and the loose folds of the canvas.

Captain Johnson seemed to be the only person who had his wits
about him, and who was in a condition to render any assistance. As
soon as he could pick himself up he made his way to the other end
of the boat and dragged the canvas from off the struggling family.
First Mr. Elmer emerged from the confusion, then Mrs. Elmer and
Ruth were helped out, and last of all poor Mark, who had been
buried beneath the entire family, was dragged forth, nearly
smothered and highly indignant.

"It's a mean trick, and I didn't think--" he began, as soon as he
got his breath; but just then his eye fell upon the comical figure
of Jan. He was walking towards the fire, dripping mud and water
from every point, and Mark's wrath was turned into hearty laughter