FROM A PERILOUS POSITION. 377 



Prudence, and a proper regard for the safety of 

 my companions, made me hesitate at this trying 

 juncture; but at length, placing a just reliance 

 on Providence, and encouraged by the manifest- 

 ation of that ardour which rendered the men 

 superior to danger, I ordered the movement to 

 be made, directing those who were to execute 

 it to keep near the outer bank of the island, and 

 if possible to land and lower down. In a few 

 seconds they were out of sight ; and anxiously, 

 with Mr. King, I took my station on a hill that 

 commanded the foot of the rapid, as well as the 

 point round which they were to come. Treble 

 the time elapsed that was requisite to bring them 

 within sight, and still they did not appear. I 

 scoured the river with the telescope, yet saw 

 nothing but water and rock. In vain we strained 

 our sight, in vain listened for a voice ; nothing 

 was heard or seen but the torrent, which raged 

 and rolled on heedless of our anxiety. At this 

 painful crisis, when apprehension was beginning 

 to prevail over hope, the boat suddenly appeared, 

 seeming to cut her way through the solid land of 

 the lower part of the island, where, as we after- 

 wards learned, there was a very narrow and shoal 

 channel, entirely concealed from us, through which 

 the men had cautiously lifted her. The trouble 

 attending this proceeding had caused the delay 

 which had alarmed us; nor was it until noon 



