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           Thefirstpeepofmorning,then,showedusthishorribleplace,andIcouldseeAlanknithisbrow.

           “Thisisnofitplaceforyouandme,”hesaid.“Thisisaplacethey’reboundtowatch.”

           Andwiththatheranharderthaneverdowntothewater-side,inapartwheretheriverwassplitintwoamongthreerocks.Itwentthroughwithahorridthunderingthatmademybellyquake;andtherehungoverthelynnalittlemistofspray.Alanlookedneithertotherightnortotheleft,butjumpedcleanuponthemiddlerockandfellthereonhishandsandkneestocheckhimself,forthatrockwassmallandhemighthavepitchedoveronthefarside.IhadscarcetimetomeasurethedistanceortounderstandtheperilbeforeIhadfollowedhim,andhehadcaughtandstoppedme.

           Sotherewestood,sidebysideuponasmallrockslipperywithspray,afarbroaderleapinfrontofus,andtheriverdinninguponallsides.WhenIsawwhereIwas,therecameonmeadeadlysicknessoffear,andIputmyhandovermyeyes.Alantookmeandshookme;Isawhewasspeaking,buttheroaringofthefallsandthetroubleofmymindpreventedmefromhearing;onlyIsawhisfacewasredwithanger,andthathestampedupontherock.Thesamelookshowedmethewaterragingby,andthemisthangingintheair:andwiththatIcoveredmyeyesagainandshuddered.

           ThenextminuteAlanhadsetthebrandybottletomylips,andforcedmetodrinkaboutagill,whichsentthebloodintomyheadagain.