THE UPPER RAPIDS. 153 



tion, descried, far astern through the dim 

 twilight, two of the egg-shells hoboing about 

 in the wake of the boat ; which, before he 

 had time even to think, the darkness and 

 distance shut out from his view. 



" Oh, by George ! this will never do," said 

 he, as with a pettish jerk on his port yoke-line 

 he gave up the race. " Back your port-oars, 

 men — give way starboard — wind her at once. 

 That will do" — as her head came up stream — 

 " Now give way, all, with a will !" 



But there was no need to exhort them, 

 the men were thoroughly frightened, and 

 stretched out as if their lives depended on 

 it ; as, no doubt, they were fully convinced 

 they did. 



" Easy now, men. Easy now. I see them 

 plain enough," and he stood up to have 

 a better view. " In bow ! Oars, all of you !" 

 And as the bowman laid in his oar, the Par- 

 son steered upon the innocent causes of all 

 this tumult, which were still bobbing about 

 as if nothing was the matter. 



The bowman clutched them nervously and 

 squeezed them to pieces in his horny hand. 

 The men drew a long breath together, as if 

 they had been suddenly relieved from a 



