up for lost; but amidships of the island, fairly opposite to
the spot where he had left Margaret, the log was again seized
by the right current, and the voyage recommenced. But the
same eddy seized them, and back they came, with only an arm
stiffened by cold between Aladdin and death. The third
descent of the river, however, was more propitious. The eddy,
it is true, made a final snatch, but its fingers were weakened
and its murderous intentions thwarted. They passed by the
knob of trees at the narrowing of the river, and swept grandly
toward the town. Past the first shipyard they tore unnoticed,
but at the second a shouting arose, and a boat was slipped
overboard and put after them. Strong hands dragged Aladdin
from the water, and, gulp after gulp, water gushed from his
mouth. Then they rowed him quickly to land, and the Good
Luck, having done her duty, went down the river alone. Years
after, could Aladdin have met with that log, he would have
recognized it like the face of a friend, and would have
embraced and kissed it, painted it white to stave off the
decay of old age, and set it foremost among his Lares and
Penates.

For the present he was insensible. They put him naked into
coarse, warm horse-blankets, and laid him before the great
fire in the blacksmith's shop across the road from the
shipyard. And at the same time they sent one flying with a
horse and buggy to the house of Hannibal St. John, for Aladdin
had not passed into unconsciousness without partly completing
his mission.

"Margaret--is--up--at--" he said, and darkness came.