from food and rest; the only crossing-place was some miles lower
down, near the house in fact; so even the most timid amongst us
scouted the idea of retracing our steps. The only alternative was
to make a bridge: one of the gentlemen who were with us carried an
axe in case of emergency, and in a moment we heard the sharp ringing
sounds foretelling the fall of a tree. In the mean-time, others of
the party were dragging out fallen logs--of course small and
manageable ones--and laying them from one huge boulder to another,
working up to their knees in water. So many of these prostrate
trunks were "convenient," that a cry soon arose to the woodman to
"spare the trees," for there were quite enough on the ground.
However, two substantial poles had been felled, and these were laid
over the deepest and most dangerous part of the current. The bridge
was soon declared passable, and loud shouts from the opposite side
proclaimed that luncheon was quite ready. I was called, as having a
most undeserved reputation for "pluck," to make trial of the
aerial-looking fabric. I did not like it at all, and entreated some
one else to lead the forlorn hope; so a very quiet young lady, who
really possessed more courage in her little finger than I do in my
whole body, volunteered to go first. The effect from the bank was
something like tight-rope dancing, and it was very difficult to keep
one's balance. Miss Kate, our pioneer, walked on very steadily,
amid great applause, till she reached the middle of the stream,
where fortunately the water was shallow, but strewed with masses of
boulders. She paused an instant on the large rock on which the ends
of the saplings rested, and then started afresh for the last half of
her journey. The instant she put her foot on the second part of the
bridge, it gave way with a loud crash; and the poor girl, with great
presence of mind, caught at the tree she, had just crossed, and so
saved herself from a ducking. Of course, she had plenty of help in