though he did not boast of his services, nor even stay to give me an
opportunity to thank him for what he had done, shall also know that we
are not insensible to his gallant conduct; for, whatever they may say,
Jane, I am indebted to him for my life. As dreadful as was my
situation among that crashing mass of ice, with which I was borne
onward down the stream, I saw all that was done. He led the way from
the first, contrived the plan, and with the assistance of the
hesitating settler, carried it into execution, with a promptitude that
alone could have saved me. It is true, that we both must have perished
but for the timely arrival of Colonel Carpenter; but that detracts
nothing from the merits of Mr. Woodburn, who, as we hung suspended
over that frightful abyss, I knew and felt, was throwing his life to
the winds to save mine. O, why could it not have been, as I have often
said to myself during our cheerless ride this evening,--why could it
not have been Peters, to perform all that I have this day seen in that
poor, despised, and persecuted young man?"

"Why, Mr. Peters certainly appeared much alarmed, and anxious that
something should be done to save you," replied Miss McRea, after a
thoughtful pause, produced by the words and fervid manner of her
companion.

"Then why did he leave it to another to save me?" responded the
former, severely.

"That I do not know, certainly," replied the other; "but he at once
bestirred himself, and I heard him offer five guineas, and I think he
doubled the price the next moment, to any one who would go on to the
ice and bring you off."