"
The others were now up and awake, and they gazed with intense interest.
"It's a white man in the canoe ez shore ez I'm a livin' sinner!" exclaimed
Shif'less Sol.
"And it's a question," added Henry, "whether his canoe gets to the bank or
the bottom of the river first."
"It's a white man and we must save him!" cried Paul, his generous boy's
heart stirred to the utmost.
They quickly untied their boat and pulled with great strokes toward the
sinking canoe and its lone occupant. They were alongside in a few minutes
and Henry threw a rope to the man, who caught it with a skillful hand, and
tied his frail craft stoutly to the side of the strong "Galleon." Then, as
Paul reached a friendly hand down to him he sprang on board, exclaiming at
the same time in a deep voice: "May the blessing of Heaven rest upon you,
my children."
The five were startled at the face and appearance of the man who came upon
their boat. They had never thought of encountering such a figure in the
wilderness. He was of middle age, tall, well-built, and remarkably
straight, but his shaven face was thin and ascetic, and the look in his
eyes was one of extraordinary benevolence. Moreover, it had the peculiar
quality of seeming to gaze far into the future, as it were, at something
glorious and beautiful.
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