The inflated life-preservers, as was customary in our boat, were laid behind the seats where we could easily reach them.

The Major put his on, a most fortunate thing for him as it turned out, but we who were at the oars did not for the reason before mentioned,--that they interfered with the free handling of the boat.

The men of the Canonita took positions where they could observe and profit by our movements.

Then out into the current we pushed and were immediately swept downward with ever-increasing speed toward the centre of the disturbance, the black walls springing up on each side of the impetuous waters like mighty buttresses for the lovely blue vault of the September sky, so serenely quiet.

Accelerated by the rush of a small intervening rapid, our velocity appeared to multiply till we were flying along like a railway train.