right sunlight, dancing, sparkling, leaping, hurrying
on, converging to the angle where the water becomes a deep emerald
at the break and plunge. The rapids above are a series of shelves,
bristling with jutting rocks and lodged trunks of trees, and the
wildness of the scene is intensified by the ragged fringe of evergreens
on the opposite shore.

Over the whole island the mist, rising from the caldron, drifts in
spray when the wind is rable; but on this day the forest was bright and
cheerful, and as the strollers went farther away from the Great Fall;
the beauty of the scene began to steal away its terror. The roar was
still dominant, but far off and softened, and did not crush the ear.
The triple islands, the Three Sisters, in their picturesque wildness
appeared like playful freaks of nature in a momentary relaxation of the
savage mood. Here is the finest view of the river; to one standing on
the outermost island the great flood seems tumbling out of the sky.
They continued along the bank of the river. The shallow stream races by
headlong, but close to the edge are numerous eddies, and places where
one might step in and not be swept away. At length they reached the
point where the river divides, and the water stands for an instant
almost still, hesitating whether to take the Canadian or American
plunge. Out a little way from the shore the waves leap and tumble, and
the two currents are like race-horses parted on two ways to the goal.
Just at this point the water swirls and lingers; having lost all its
fierceness and haste, and spreads itself out placidly, dimpling in the
sun. It may be a treacherous pause, this water may be as cruel as that
which rages below and exults in catching a boat or a man and bounding
with the victim over the cataract; but the calm was very grateful to the
stunned and buffeted visitors; upon their jarred nerves it was like the
peace of God.

"The preacher might moralize here," said King. "Here is the parting of
the ways for the young man; here is a moment of calm in which he can
decide which course he will take. See, with my hand I can turn the
water to Canada or to America! So momentous is the easy decision of the
moment."

"Yes," said the artist, "your figure is perfect. Whichever side the
young man takes, he goes to destruction."

"Or," continued King, appealing to Miss Lamont against this illogical
construction, "this is the maiden at the crucial instant of choosing
between two impetuo