in the water, out into the real river."

Of course the challenge was not to be refused; and Tom paddled
away towards the dark line, beyond which the river swept with
smooth, steady current. Ruth (a child in years herself) stood at
the top of the declivity watching the adventurer, but as
unconscious of any danger as the group of children below. At
their playfellow's success, they broke through the calm gravity
of observation into boisterous marks of applause, clapping their
hands, and stamping their impatient little feet, and shouting,
"Well done, Tom; thou hast done it rarely!"

Tom stood in childish dignity for a moment, facing his admirers;
then, in an instant, his washing-tub boat was whirled round, and
he lost his balance, and fell out; and both he and his boat were
carried away slowly, but surely, by the strong full river which
eternally moved onwards to the sea.

The children shrieked aloud with terror; and Ruth flew down to
the little bay, and far into its shallow waters, before she felt
how useless such an action was, and that the sensible plan would
have been to seek for efficient help. Hardly had this thought
struck her, when, louder and sharper than the sullen roar of the
stream that was ceaselessly and unrelentingly flowing on, came
the splash of a horse galloping through the water in which she
was standing. Past her like lightning--down in the stream,
swimming along with the current--a stooping rider--an
outstretched grasping arm--a little life redeemed, and a child
saved to those who loved it! Ruth stood dizzy and sick with
emotion while all this took place; and when the rider turned the