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Page 65
Directly after dinner Emma and Fani had started on their expedition.
They had no trouble to-day in finding their way to the willows, and they
went as quickly as they could, so that they could have a long afternoon,
and yet get back in time for Oscar's Festival.
They found the boat ready for them; oars and pole all in position, and a
seat in the middle. The boat was but lightly fastened to the shore, and
the children sprang gayly into it. Emma took the oars and pushed off.
She rowed well, and knew what she was about. She handled the boat
skilfully, for she had often been out on the lake with her friend when
the wind blew and the waves were high.
Fani took his seat in the stern, saying:--
"When you want my help, just say so, Emma. But I don't know anything at
all about rowing."
"I shan't need you," answered Emma, bravely, as she pulled away.
Two things, however, she had not counted on. The boat was much heavier
than that which she had used on the lake, and the swift current of the
river was a very different thing to row against, from the quiet waters
of a lake. Emma worked sturdily against the stream. She wanted to go out
far enough to be in full sight of the ruined castle. She had arranged in
her mind a plan for keeping the boat in place while Fani sketched. But
she soon began to find herself growing very tired, while yet she made
little head-way.
"Take the pole, Fani," she said, "and stick it firmly against the
bottom and push." Fani did so, and the boat made an advance of several
feet. "Again, again, Fani." Fani did his best.
"Now I'll row a bit farther into the middle of the river, then hold fast
so that we shall not be carried down; here we are! there is the ruin,
Fani! Now, Fani, stick the pole down, and I'll hold it and you can begin
to sketch."
Fani stuck his pole manfully into the bottom of the river, but the
rushing current seized it and threw it up again as if it had been a
reed.
"Oh! oh!" he cried, "we shall be carried away!"
"You take one of the oars and we'll row back to the shore," said Emma,
anxiously. "Come, be quick!"
But the stream seized the oar before Fani could take it from her, and it
was swept away.
"What shall we do? There is no one to help us," cried Emma, beside
herself. "Suppose the boat should upset!"
Faster and faster they were whirled along, the boat tossing like a
nut-shell upon the waves.
The children sat still, although frightened almost to death.
"Fani, we are Los! who can help us?" screamed Emma. "Let us say our
prayers. I have forgotten to say them ever since I came to Rosemount. I
promised mamma not to forget; but I did. Do you think God will hear me
now? Fani, you pray; you do it every day, I know."
"No; I thought Elsli would do it for me and for herself," said the boy
hoarsely.
"That is no good; you must do it for yourself or God will not listen. He
will only say, 'I do not know him,' when Elsli prays for you. Oh, if I
had not forgotten to pray myself, he would not punish me so now!"
And then she sat silent, looking at the sky and praying from her heart
that God would forgive her forgetfulness of him, and save her and Fani
from the danger that threatened them.
"A steamboat! A steamboat! It is going to run us down!" shrieked Fani;
and his fears were well grounded. With lightning speed, as it seemed,
the great boat came rushing toward them like a huge giant, and in a few
minutes the little boat would be engulfed in the swelling waves.
The children screamed; the steamer came nearer; it was close upon them;
the boat was upset! At the same instant Emma was seized by a strong
hand, lifted into the air, and then set down upon her feet on the deck
of the steamer. Fani was saved, too, by another seaman, and both stood
shivering with cold and fright, dripping with water, and soaked to the
skin, but safe and sound. The passengers crowded about them.
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