nally, or the canoe would have been upset, as the
increasing waves rolled against her. At length the northern bank was
reached, but we had still the difficulty of landing. The waves were
washing against it with considerable force, and should our canoe be
driven against any projecting branches, a dangerous rent might be made
in it in a moment, and before we could get safely on shore we might be
carried away by the current. We had therefore to look out for some bay
or creek up which we could run, so as to be sheltered from the waves.

The wind blew now rather up the river than across it, and enabled us to
stem the current. We had gone some little distance when we saw the
place we were seeking.

"Look out, and see that there are no snags or branches ahead of us,"
cried Alick to Robin, who had the bow paddle. "If you can find a clear
space, we will run the canoe alongside the bank."

"There is a spot that will do," answered Robin; "and I'll jump on shore
and hold her while you get out."

Gently paddling the canoe, the next moment we got her up to the bank and
stepped on shore in safety. We then hauled her up, but we were not free
of danger. Tall trees surrounded the place, their tops waving to and
fro and bending to the gale. Every now and then fragments of branches
were torn off and carried to a distance. There was a risk of one of
them falling on us, or on the canoe, and crushing her; but it was
impossible to shift our position, so we had to make the best of it and
pray that we might be preserved.

We at first ran for shelter under one of the tall trees, and Robin
proposed that we should build a hut against it, with a fire in front at
which we might dry our wet clothes.

"That would do very well, if it were not for the lightning," observed
Alick. "At any moment that tree might be struck, and we, if close to
the trunk, might all be killed or severely injured."

As he said this, Robin and I, who were leaning against it, sprang out
into the open. The next instant a loud report was heard; a branch came
crashing down, and the stout tree appeared riven to the very roots!
Happily the branch fell on one side.

"We may thank Providence that we have all escaped," said Alick. "It
won't do to be standing out here exposed to the rain. The sooner we can
get up a hut of some sort the better."

The branch which had fallen afforded us the framework of a hut. Alick,
taking the axe, cut off as many pieces as we requi