t ford the creek now, and you're a mere boy."

"No matter for that," said William. "I promised my sister to be at home
to-night, and I must keep my word. See how narrow the creek is here!
Good-by, I cannot wait any longer, it is getting dark."

"Don't, try it, please don't, Mr. William," again said Mrs. Jones. All the
children joined her, some entreating William, others crying out at the
danger into which their favorite was rushing.

"Why, you cowards," cried William, "you make more noise than the creek
itself. Here's something for gingerbread." None of the children offered to
pick up the money which fell among them, but looked anxiously after
William, to see what he was going to do.

"Mr. William," said Mrs. Jones, "come back; look at the water a roaring and
tossing, and your horse is restless already with the noise. Don't throw
your life away; think of your sister."

"I'm thinking of her, good Mrs. Jones. Never fear for me," said he, looking
back at her with a smile, at the same time urging his horse toward the edge
of the creek, where there was a gradual descent from the hill.

As Mrs. Jones had said, the horse had already become restless, he was
impatiently moving his head, prancing and striking his hoofs against the
hard ground. William restrained him, as he too quickly descended the path,
and it may be the young man then hesitated, as he endeavored to check him,
but it was too late. The very check rendered him more impatient; springing
aside from the path he dashed himself from rock to rock. William saw his
danger, and with a steady hand endeavored to control the frightened animal.
This unequal contest was soon decided. The nearer the horse came to the
water the more he was alarmed,--at last he sprang from the rock, and he and
his rider disappeared.

"Oh, my God!" said Mrs. Jones, "he is gone. The poor boy; and there is no
one to help him." She at first hid her eyes from the appalling scene, and
then approached the creek and screamed as she saw the horse struggling and
plunging, while William manfully tried to control him. Oh! how beat her
heart, as with uplifted hands, and stayed breath, she watched for the
issue--it is over now.

"Hush! hush! children," said their mother, pale as death, whose triumph she
had just witnessed. "Oh! if your father had been here to have saved
him--but who could have saved him? None but thou, Almighty God!" and she
kneeled to pray for, she knew not what.

"Too late, too late!