to
that higher up interested him--where then _did_ the current begin to
sweep clean? He should certainly know that soon, he thought, without a
touch of fear, having utterly accepted death when he determined it
were base to carry his weary old life a little longer, and let Ruth's
young love die. Now the Falls' heavy monotone was overborne by
terrible sounds--a mingled clashing, shrieking, groaning, and
rumbling, as of great bowlders churned in their beds.

Bedell was nearing the first long swoop downward at the rapids' head
when those watching him from the high bank below the Chippewa River's
mouth saw him put his boat stern with the current and cease rowing
entirely, facing fairly the up-rushing mist to which he was being
hurried. Then they observed him stooping, as if writing, for a time.
Something flashed in his hands, and then he knelt with head bowed
down. Kneeling, they prayed, too.

Now he was almost on the brink of the cascades. Then he arose, and,
glancing backward to his home, caught sight of his friends on the high
shore. Calmly he waved a farewell. What then? Thrice round he flung
his hat, with a gesture they knew full well. Some had seen that
exultant waving in front of ranks of battle. As clearly as though the
roar of waters had not drowned his ringing voice, they knew that old
John Bedell, at the poise of death, cheered thrice, "Hurrah! Hurrah!
Hurrah for the King!"

They found his body a week afterward, floating with the heaving water
in the gorge below the Falls. Though beaten almost out of recognition,
portions of clothing still adhered to it, and in a waistcoat pocket
they found the old Loyalist's metal snuff-box, with this inscription
scratched by knife-point on the cover: "God be praised, I die in
British waters! JOHN BEDELL."

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote A: The United Empire Loyalists were American Tories who
forsook their homes and property after the Revolution in order to live
in Canada under the British Flag. It is impossible to understand
Canadian feeling for the Crown at the present day without
understanding the U. E. Loyalist spirit, which, though Canadians are
not now unfriendly to the United States, is still the most important
political force in the Dominion, and holds it firmly in allegiance to
the Queen.]

VERBITZSKY'S STRATAGEM.

What had Alexander Verbitzsky and I done that the secret service of
our father, the Czar, should dog us for five months, and in the end
drive us to