Page:A Colonial Wooing.djvu/215

 away from them, and said to Ruth, who had given some evidence of consciousness, "If they do shoot, this light will deceive them." But the canoe was drifting, and this would never do. John dropped the pole and paddled vigorously, but so quietly that he heard the voices of those on board the Watson boat, and above all else recognized William Blake's voice, bemoaning that "Ruth had gone; her cabin was empty."

A flush of fiery indignation thrilled him as he heard these words, but there was no time now for other than his single duty. Ruth was rescued, but not yet ashore. Carefully guiding the canoe, which he found was not followed, John paddled as swiftly as he dare, but kept near the shore until he had made considerable headway, when he turned to the channel as a safer course, and proceeded homeward.

The danger was over, and now again he spoke to Ruth, and assured her that all was well.

"Oh John," she sobbed, "if it had been Cousin Robert!"