PROVING THE RULE 



the calamity. As their world was spared 

 to them, life might go on as before, and 

 food be taken in a thankful spirit. 



One uncommon entertainment they af- 

 forded us when the river was still far over 

 the top of the grosse roche. The whole 

 thing had an air as though the Father of 

 the Fishes had proclaimed a General 

 Thanksgiving for mercies recently vouch- 

 safed, for there was a rejoicing such as not 

 one of us had ever assisted at. The big 

 fellows were merry-making; rising heads 

 and tails, disporting themselves upon the 

 surface in boisterous play, leaping from 

 the water again and again like clean-run 

 salmon coming up from the sea. The 

 memorable display was only ended by rain- 

 squalls of the fiercest, and resounding 

 thunder. 



141 



