THE ASSINIBOINE RESCUES BUCEPHALUS. 259 



riglit direction, steered down mid-stream, and Bucepha- 

 lus, after a moment's hesitation, turned away and fol- 

 lowed him into the fiercest strength of the irresistible 

 flood. Away both went, far outstripping our utmost 

 speed in pursuit, their packs only being visible in the 

 distance, bobbing about like corks in the roHin^- 

 waters. 



The Assiniboine led the chase, and soon left all 

 the rest of us far behind, for he had a wonderful 

 facility in getting over obstructions, and the way in 

 which he vanished amidst the closely-set trunks, and 

 past the barriers of fallen timber, was marvellous. 

 He did not rush and tear along, but glided out of 

 sight, apparently unhindered by the obstacles which 

 opposed om^ progress. We struggled on far in the 

 rear, and occasionally caught a glimpse of the horses 

 like specks in the distance, still borne down the 

 middle of the torrent. About two miles below, 

 another shallow gave them resting ground for a 

 moment, and enabled The Assiniboine to come up. 

 The current was so strong, however, that they were 

 soon swept off again ; but Bucephalus, observing The 

 Assiniboine, attempted to reach the shore. The place 

 was a fearful rapid, where the water poured madly in 

 rolling billows over immense boulders. As the horse 

 neared the land for an instant in passing. The Assini- 

 boine leaped in, threw his arms round the animal's 

 neck, who neighed gratefully when he saw his de- 

 liverer come to the rescue, and the two, mutually 

 supporting each other, eventually gained the shore. 

 The escape of The Assiniboine seemed marvellous, and 



R 2 



