"If we get safe through this here place," said the
boatswain, in a rough whisper to his anxious and attentive
auditors," I think as how I'll venture to answer for the
craft. I can see daylight dancing upon the lake already.
Ten minutes more and she will be there." Then turning to
the man at the helm,--"Keep her in the centre of the
stream, Jim. Don't you see you're hugging the weather
shore?"
"It would take the devil himself to tell which is the
centre," growled the sailor, in the same suppressed tone.
"One might steer with one's eyes shut in such a queer
place as this and never be no worser off than with them
open."
"Steady her helm, steady," rejoined Mullins, "it's as
dark as pitch, to be sure, but the passage is straight
as an arrow, and with a steady helm you can't miss it.
Make for the light ahead."
"Abaft there!" hurriedly and loudly shouted the man on
the look-out at the bows, "there's a tree lying across
the river, and we're just upon it."
While he yet spoke, and before the boatswain could give
such instructions as the emergency required, the vessel
suddenly struck against the obstacle in question; but
the concussion was not of the violent nature that might
have been anticipated.
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