s, and ever the Chagres flowed
past, brown and swollen from the rain. Considerable driftwood floated
down, and this was the only passing object.

After about two hours had dragged by, Mr. Grigsby suddenly uttered, in
his calm manner, with a nod of his head: "There they come." He had
keen eyes, had the scout and trapper who had served with Kit Carson and
Colonel Fremont, for Charley, peering down stream, saw only a small
speck appearing around the bend. His father wasn't quite convinced,
and squinting earnestly he said: "I hope so, but it may be some other
canoe, after all."

"Not a bit," assured Mr. Grigsby. "That's our craft, with our men in
it paddling for dear life. I can see 'em plain; can't you?"

Along the opposite bank crept the canoe--yes, it held two paddlers--now
it was quartering across, making for the village; its crew certainly
looked like Maria and Francisco.

Hurrah! Maria and Francisco they were; and indignant they proved to
be, as their three passengers proceeded to the water's edge to meet
them. They were panting and wringing wet, for they had come in a great
hurry. The villagers flocked curiously down, to listen and inspect.

"Quick!" called Francisco, in Spanish, as he held the canoe to the
bank, "Get in, Americans." He held up the severed rope attached to the
prow. "Those rascals cut us adrift, but never mind. We'll hurry."

"We were almost down to Chagres again when we woke up," called Maria,
to friends ashore. "We have been paddling ever since."

"Get aboard," bade Mr. Adams. "All right," he added, to the boatmen,
as Mr. Grigsby followed him and Charley tumbled into the bows.
Francisco gave a vigorous shove, out shot the canoe into the current;
and instantly Maria and Francisco were digging again with their paddles.

"We've lost about six hours," remarked Charley's father. "And it's too
late for even Grigsby's boa constrictor to help us out."

Maria seemed to have understood, for he grunted, encouragingly: "Go
ahead! Ever'body go ahead!" And tacked on a sentence in Spanish.

"Maria says they'll paddle all night," translated Charley's father, for
Charley. "That will help, but I expect a lot of other fellows will do
the same."

"Well, we can do the best we're able," spoke Mr. Grigsby. "I reckon
we'll get thar. The river's falling. That'll help."

By the looks of the water-line on the banks, this was so. Maria and
Francisco made good progress, as they cunningly took