When she found that she had cut loose from her old life, and was entering upon one unknown and untried, in pleasant companionship, she was thoroughly happy.

It was all like a fairy story; and there before her rolled the beautiful river, and, waiting on the shore, were the trunks and remnants of baggage that had been started for their destination before daylight, and the guides with their boats, and with wild flowers in their hat-bands.
The carriages were dismissed to find their way back to Mike Conlin's that night, while Jim, throwing off his coat, assisted in loading the three boats.

Mr.Balfour had brought along with him, not only a large flag for the hotel, but half a dozen smaller ones for the little fleet.
The flags were soon mounted upon little rods, and set up at either end of each boat, and when the luggage was all loaded, and the passengers were all in their places--Jim taking his wife and Miss Snow in his own familiar craft--they pushed out into the stream, and started for a race.
Jim was the most powerful man of the three, and was aching for work.

It was a race all the way, but the broader chest and harder muscles won.

It was a regatta without spectators, but as full of excitement as if the shores had been fringed with a cheering crowd.
The two women chatted together in the stern of Jim's boat, or sat in silence, as if they were enchanted, watching the changing shores, while the great shadows of the woods deepened upon them.