THE ROSE OF FIRE On we flew, drawn by the mighty current, till at last I noticed that the sound of the water was not half so deafening as it had been, and concluded that this must be because there was more room for the echoes to disperse in.

I could now hear Alphonse's howls much more distinctly; they were made up of the oddest mixture of invocations to the Supreme Power and the name of his beloved Annette that it is possible to conceive; and, in short, though their evident earnestness saved them from profanity, were, to say the least, very remarkable.

Taking up a paddle I managed to drive it into his ribs, whereon he, thinking that the end had come, howled louder than ever.

Then I slowly and cautiously raised myself on my knees and stretched my hand upwards, but could touch no roof.

Next I took the paddle and lifted it above my head as high as I could, but with the same result.