A corner of the bluff rose savagely from the river--a monstrous mass of naked rock, scarred and battered of the centuries; hating the river that gnawed it ever; hating the rain that graved its grim face with unsightly seams; hating the sun that refused to mate with it, whereof green life might come forth and hide its hideousness.

The whole force of the river hurled in against it, waged furious war along its battlements, and caromed off into mid-stream again.

Down all its length the stiff waves stood in serried rows, and its crevices and water-worn caverns were a-bellow with unseen strife.
"Now! Bend to it! Your best!" It was the last order Corliss could give, for in the din they were about to enter a man's voice were like a cricket's chirp amid the growling of an earthquake.

La Bijou sprang forward, cleared the eddy with a bound, and plunged into the thick.

_Dip and lift, dip and lift_, the paddles worked with rhythmic strength.