nting; still we were not altogether free from care. Martin was
excessively anxious about his parents. He could not avoid recollecting
the bad disposition shown by the Indians; and though his father and
mother might not have been molested, or might have managed to escape,
there was a fearful possibility of their having been attacked and
murdered.

We were still also doubtful whether Sandy and Pat had got away in safety
from the fort, though we hoped that they had, and had arrived safely at
Fort Ross. If so, we might, by keeping a lookout on the right bank of
the river, see any expedition which, we felt sure, would be sent up to
restore Fort Black.

Having breakfasted, we again launched our canoe, but we found on putting
her into the water that she leaked in two or three places, where the gum
had been knocked off. We had to haul her up again, light our fire, and
heat some more gum to stop the leaks. This occupied us for some time,
but at length we were fairly under way; and singing "Row, brothers,
row," we began paddling down the stream.

We agreed not to attempt shooting any rapids we might meet with, but
rather to land and make a portage with our canoe. Two of us could carry
her on our shoulders without difficulty, and, as Robin remarked, she
weighed scarcely a feather when four of us lifted her. Though we
intended camping on the left bank, we kept over to the right side, that
we might have a better chance of seeing any party travelling towards
Fort Black.

The morning had been fine, and we expected to be able to continue on all
day; but before noon clouds gathered in the sky, from which a vivid
flash of lightning darted towards us, followed by a tremendous peal of
thunder; then came in quick succession another and another flash, with
deafening peals. The wind began to blow up the river, and its hitherto
calm surface was broken into angry waves. Down rushed the rain, half
filling our canoe.

"We must make for the shore, lads!" exclaimed Alick, as a heavy sea
broke over our bows. "Paddle, lads, for your lives! This is no joke,"
he added; and he had good reason for saying what he did, for our light
bark was tossed about in a way which rendered it difficult to steer her.

We all energetically worked at our paddles. We had some way to go. The
wind increased, the thunder roared, and the lightning flashed faster
than ever.

Alick kept the canoe with her head partly up the stream, so that we
crossed diago