n hard. Once he slipped
and nearly fell, but recovered. Then a floating tree suddenly lunged up
and struck him, so that he dropped upon a knee; but again he was up, and
strained for the pier. He was within a few feet of it as they came to
the bridge. The people gave a cry of fear, for they saw that there was
no chance of both making it; because, too, at the critical moment a
space of clear water showed near the pier. But Brydon raised John
Rupert up, balanced himself, and tossed him at the pier, where two
river-drivers stood stretching out their arms. An instant afterwards
the old man was with his granddaughter. But Brydon slipped and fell; the
roots of a tree bore him down, and he was gone beneath the logs!

There was a cry of horror from the watchers, then all was still. But
below the bridge they saw an arm thrust up between the logs, and then
another arm crowding them apart. Now a head and shoulders appeared.
Luckily the piece of timber which Brydon grasped was square, and did
not roll. In a moment he was standing on it. There was a wild shout of
encouragement. He turned his battered, blood-stained face to the bridge
for an instant, and, with a wave of the hand and a sharp look towards
the rapids below, once more sprang out. It was a brave sight, for the
logs were in a narrower channel and more riotous. He rubbed the blood
out of his eyes that he might see his way. The rolling forest gave him
no quarter, but he came on, rocking with weakness, to within a few rods
of the shore. Then a half-dozen of his men ran out on the logs,--they
were packed closely here,--caught him up, and brought him to dry ground.

They took him to the Bridge House. He was hurt more than he or they
thought. The old man and the girl met them at the door. Judith gave a
little cry when she saw the blood and Brydon's bruised face. He lifted
his head as though her eyes had drawn his, and, their looks meeting,
he took his hat off. Her face flushed; she dropped her eyes. Her
grandfather seized Brydon's big hand, and said some trembling words of
thanks. The girl stepped inside, made a bed for him upon the sofa, and
got him something to drink. She was very cool; she immediately asked
Pierre to go for the young doctor who had lately come to the place, and
made ready warm water with which she wiped Brydon's blood-stained face
and hands, and then gave him some brandy. His comrades standing round
watched her admiringly, she was so deft and delicate. Brydon,