ern, so as to
hold her broadside against the current, and then the contrivance began
dragging her slowly toward the opposite shore.

During the spring months and the period of high water, a great many
rafts of lumber descend the Castaran, though the number is not so great
of late years as formerly. They are sold at various points along the
river, and occasionally two or three rafts float down stream during the
summer months. A long sweeping paddle (sometimes a couple) at either
end of the raft enable the men to clear the abutments of the bridges
and to shoot the rapids at different points.

The canal boat, with its cargo of stone had no more than fairly left
the eastern side, when a large raft was observed emerging from between
two abutments of the bridge above. The men at the oars began toiling
with them with a view of working the structure toward the rapids,
through which the only safe passage can be secured.

Those on the boat having nothing to do had seated themselves here and
there, and were watching their surroundings, as they moved at right
angles to the current. The raft was heading toward a point just ahead
of the boat, and was so near that Tim, who was sitting beside his
father on the cabin, started to his feet and said:

"I believe they are going to strike us."

"Sit down; there is no danger; these people know their business; we
shall be well out of their way before they can reach us."

Nevertheless a collision seemed so imminent a moment later, that Mr.
Hunter rose to his feet and motioned to those working the rope to give
the boat greater speed. At the same time he shouted to the raftsmen:

"Keep off; don't you see we are in danger?"

"Get out of the way, then!" was the reply; "we must go through there."

Such manifestly was their right, and the gentleman again waved his
hands to those on both shores. But they saw the danger, and applying
all the power at their command, the boat began moving so much faster
that Mr. Hunter resumed his seat.

"It's all right now," he remarked; "but it looked mighty squally a
minute ago."

The canal boat was now crossing the rapid current, where a passage-way
had been left on purpose for rafts. It had not quite reached the
middle, toward which the structure was aiming, but its speed was
sufficient to take it well out of the way, provided no accident
occurred.

And this is just what did occur. The unusual strain on the gearing
caused something to give way