Otto was in such danger from the overhanging limbs, and was so
fearful that he was running a gauntlet of Indians, that he kept his
head close to the mane of his steed and scarcely looked to see where
they were going.

The awakening came like an electric shock, when the terrified horse
made a tremendous plunge straight out into the river. The first
notice Otto received was the chilling embrace of the waters which
enveloped him to the ears. He held his rifle in his right hand,
and, in his desperate efforts to save that, was swept from the back
of the animal, which began swimming composedly down stream,
carrying saddle, blankets and other valuable articles that were
strapped to him back.

Encumbered with his heavy clothing and his gun, young Otto Relstaub
had all he could do to fight his way back to land. He escaped
shipwreck as by a hair's-breadth, from the sawyer which had
attracted the notice of Jack.

"I vos swimming as hard as nefer vos," he explained, "and had just
got in front of the tree, ven as true as I don't live, it banged
right down on top mit me and nearly knocked out my brains out. I
grabbed hold of it, when it raised up and frowed me over its head.
Den I gots mad and swims ashore."

Jack laughed, for, though he knew his friend was prone to
exaggeration, he could understand that his experience was similar,
in many respects, to what he had stated.