The roar of the river, alternating with peals of thunder, which were now loud and frequent, awake many an anxious pang in Roland’s bosom, as he lifted his half-unconscious kinswoman from the earth, and bore her to the canoe; but his anxiety was much more increased when he came to survey the little vessel itself, which was scarce twelve feet in length, and seemed ill-fitted to sustain the weight of even half the party.  It was, besides, of the clumsiest and worst possible figure, a mere log, in fact, roughly hollowed out, without any attempt having been made to point its extremities; so that it looked less like a canoe than an ox-trough; which latter purpose it was perhaps designed chiefly to serve, and intended to be used for the former only when an occasional rise of the waters might make a canoe necessary to the convenience of the maker.  Such a vessel, managed by a skilful hand, might indeed bear the two females, with honest Ralph, through the foaming rapids below; but Roland felt, that to burden it with others would be to insure the destruction of all.  He resolved, therefore, that no other should enter it; and, having deposited Telie Doe in it by the side of Edith, he directed Dodge and Emperor to mount their horses, and trust to their strength and courage for a safe escape.  To Emperor, whatever distaste he might have for the adventure, this was an order, like all others, to be obeyed without murmuring; and, fortunately, Pardon Dodge’s humanity, or his discretion, was so strongly fortified by his confidence in the swimming virtues of his steed, that he very readily agreed to try his fortune on horseback.

“Anything to git round them everlasting varmint,—­though it a’n’t no sich great circumstance to fight ’em neither, where one’s a kinder got one’s hand in,” he cried, with quite a joyous voice; and added, as if to encourage the others,—­“it’s my idea, that, if such an old crazy boat can swim the river, a hoss can do it a mortal heap better.”

“’Tarnal death to me,” said Ralph Stackpole, “them’s got the grit that’ll go down old Salt on horseback!  But it’s all for the good of anngelliferous madam:  and so, if thar’s any hard rubbing, or drowning, or anything-of that synommous natur’, to happen, it ar’n’t a thing to be holped no how.  But hand in the guns and speechifiers, and make ready for a go; for, ‘tarnal death to me, the abbrygynes ar’ making a rush for the cabin!”

There was indeed little time left for deliberation.  While Ralph was yet speaking, a dozen or more flaming brands were suddenly seen flung into the air, as if against the broken roof of the cabin, through which they fell into the interior; and, with a tremendous whoop, the savages, thus lighting the way to the assault, rushed against their fancied prey.  The next moment, there was heard a yell of disappointed rage and wonder, followed by a rush of men into the ravine.

“Now, sodger,” cried Ralph, “stick close to the trough; and if you ever seed etarnity at midnight, you’ll see a small sample now!”