was
left far behind, clinging to the bank, watching with a sneer the boy
going as he thought, to his death. He wondered why Piang was standing
up in the banco; surely it would be best to lie flat in the boat and
cling to the bottom.

Gracefully Piang poised his body for the dive. The feathers were safely
thrust into his long hair, and his bolo secured in his belt. With hands
outstretched above his head, he waited for the great moment. He knew
that if he was skilful he could clear the dangerous waters below the
falls and either swim to the shore or reach his banco. Faster, faster
went the boat, and his little heart thumped so that he feared it would
burst. He tried to remember that this was not such a dangerous feat;
others had accomplished it, and he could, if he was careful. The drop
was only a few yards, but the danger lay in the shoals at the foot of
the falls. What a beautiful sight Piang was, poised on the brink of
that foaming cataract, the black jungle for a background! As he felt
the banco quiver and twist he prepared for the dive. Finally the boat
reached the crest and, with a lurch, shot from under the boy as he
sprang far out into space. It seemed an eternity to Piang before he
plunged into the waters below; then he sank down, down. The roaring
and thundering deafened him, and he wondered if he should ever stop
tumbling over in the water. It tossed him, tore from his hands any
support he was able to grasp, and finally, after almost depriving
him of breath, left him floating on the surface of a calm pool. How
delicious the rest seemed! How tired he was! As he lay there on his
back, he watched the water pour over the rocks above his head, and
marveled that he had accomplished it all so easily.

Gradually Piang regained his composure, and his first thought was for
the quills. Yes, they were still safe, and he must hurry. Not fearing
Sicto's interference any more, he began to wonder how he should
find the trail. Searching the river for his banco, he discovered
it caught by some reeds near the shore. It was easy to swim on that
side of the river; so he slowly made his way to the overturned canoe,
deftly righting it, and in a moment was over the side, searching for
the extra paddle he always kept tied in the bottom. Fortunately it
had not been torn away, and avoiding the rapids, he hugged the shore
and finally resumed his journey down the river.

What a wonderful experience Piang had had! How he would boast of