ing over a rock worn smooth
by the never-resting waters. The water was here somewhat shallower. I
looked round. Ellen's bearer was following with firm steps, and was
close behind me. "On! on!" cried John. Our leader was already near the
edge, and I hoped we should soon be in safety, when I heard Ellen utter
a shriek of terror. I sprang on to the bank. Her bearer followed. She
had not been alarmed on her own account; but now looking across the
stream, I saw the bearers following closely on each other, pressing
along the bridge. From above the water, in a vast foaming volume, was
coming rushing down, roaring loudly. John turned round, and taking
Maria's hand, assisted her up the bank. Domingos clambered after her.
Our peons came close together behind. One man was still on the bridge,
when the torrent, striking it with fearful force, lifted it off the
rock, and away it went wheeling downwards. The peon kept his footing
for an instant, then, as it began to turn over, he sprang off it towards
the shore; but unable to disengage himself from his burden, he was borne
downwards amid the tossing waters. The Indians ran down the bank to try
and render him assistance. John and I followed, with Don Jose, who
seemed unusually agitated. Now we saw the man clutching hold of a rock;
soon again he was torn off, and went floating downwards. Still he
struggled on bravely, making his way towards the shore. I expected
every moment to see him give up the unequal contest, for the mighty
waters seemed to have him in their grasp. Fortunately the bundle he
carried was large, and though heavy out of the water, was light in it,
and instead of sinking, assisted to float him.

John and I continued to make our way along the banks with the rest. We
had got some distance down, when we saw what appeared to be an eddy or
backwater in the river. Below it the stream rushed on with the same
impetuosity as before. I called to John. "I think we may save him," I
said; and signed to the Indians to cut some long sipos which hung down
from the branches above us. Several flexible ones were speedily cut and
fastened together. Both John and I were good swimmers. He secured one
to his waist, as did I, signing to the Indians to hold the other ends.
Then we dashed into the stream, swimming out towards the struggling
Indian. In another moment he would have been carried by us. I reached
him just as I was at the extreme end of the sipo. John sei