abour, but of
considerable danger.

The mode of proceeding having been settled, all hands went to work
without delay. The goods were carried to the top of the fall, which was
about fifteen feet high, then the canoe was shouldered by Waller and
Bounce, and soon it floated in a calm eddy near the head of the
cataract. Having replaced the cargo, a strong line or rope was fastened
to the bows, and Redhand and Bounce proceeded to take their places in
the canoe, in order to guide it through the rapid, while the others were
engaged in hauling on the track-line.

"Stay," cried March Marston as Bounce was stepping in, "let me go in the
canoe, Bounce. You know well enough that I can manage it; besides,
you're a heavy buffalo, and more able to track than I."

"Nay, lad," replied Bounce, shaking his head, "you'll only run the risk
o' gettin' a wet skin--mayhap somethin' worse."

"Now, that's too bad. D'ye think nobody can manage a canoe but
yourself? Come, Redhand, do let me go."

"It's not safe, boy. The rapid looks bad, and you're not much used to
the bow-paddle."

"Tut, nonsense," exclaimed March, pushing Bounce aside and stepping into
the canoe. "Now hold on."

Before the men on the bank of the river were well aware of what the
reckless youth was about, he shoved the bow of the canoe off. The
instant it passed the still water of the eddy and caught the powerful
stream, the light bark darted like an arrow from the bank, and Redhand
was obliged to use his paddle with the utmost dexterity, while the men
on shore had to haul on the line with all their might, to prevent it
being swept over the brink of the fall. In a second, however, the
danger was past, and, putting their strength to the track-line, they
dragged the canoe slowly but steadily upstream, while Redhand and March
guided it past rocks and dangerous eddies. Seeing that the youth used
his paddle dexterously, Bounce, after a little thought, resolved to let
him encounter the more dangerous rapid above. Redhand silently came to
the same conclusion, though he felt uneasy and blamed himself for
allowing the ardour of the boy to get the better of him.

"March is a bold fellow," observed Bertram, who walked immediately
behind Bounce, hauling on the line like the rest.

"Bold he is, sir," replied Bounce; "an' if ye'd seed him, as I did not
many weeks agone, a-ridin' on the back of a buffalo bull, ye'd mayhap
say he was more nor that."

"Hah! he is mad!" cri