d Dan sharply. "The current's
setting dead for the falls, and we're being sucked sharply towards the
broken water underneath them."

"Ay, true for you, mate," cried one of the sailors; "and if we get there
we shall be swamped before we know where we are."

Lynton started up in the boat and stood in a stooping position holding
on by the gunwale with his unoccupied hand, as he peered over the side
to look at the direction of the current and then gazed up the river at
the falls.

The others saw him change countenance, but he did not say a word. He
gave ample proof, though, that he fully realised the danger they were
incurring, for he bore hard down upon the tiller till the boat glided
round, the sail filled on the other side, and they began to sail slowly
in a direction parallel with the falls.

"She don't make much way, sir," said Dan, in a grumbling tone hardly
above a whisper, the words being meant for Brace's ear, but the mate
evidently heard what was said.

"I don't quite understand this," said he. "I never noticed any change,
but the current's setting now right for the falls."

"Don't you see why that is?" Briscoe asked the question sharply.

"No. Do you?"

"Yes. I'm a bit used to cataracts. There's thousands of tons falling
yonder and going down ever so deep. That makes the surface water set
towards the falls, and while there's a deep current rushing down the
river there's a surface current now setting upward, and it'll take us
right up to the falling water as sure as we sit here if something isn't
done, and that quickly."

"I don't quite see that," said Lynton obstinately, as if he did not like
being taught by the American.

"Never mind about understanding it," said Briscoe sharply. "We'll work
it out afterwards. You must act now."

"I am acting," said Lynton. "We're sailing right away."

"But the current's taking us up, Lynton," said Brace quickly.

"Well, I can't set more sail, nor make any more wind, can I? We seem to
be getting more into shelter here."

"But you can order the men to get out the oars," cried Brace.

"Or else drop the grapnel and try to come to an anchor," said Briscoe.

"Ah, yes," cried Lynton; "we'd better do that. Perhaps the wind will
rise a bit more soon. Over with that grapnel, my lads," he shouted to
the men forward.

The sailors had been listening to every word, and quick as thought the
little four-fluked boat anchor was tossed over the bows, and the lin