“Oh, Sister Felicite, I do not mind a ducking or danger, for I have crossed many a stream beyond its banks.” “The señorita is right, Sister Felicite, for it is our only chance,” Pedro said. “And the river is constantly rising, so that there is no time to delay,” Nina de Sutro remarked, in a determined manner, her face full of spirit and courage. “What do you think, Pedro?” asked the nun. “It is all that we can do, sister.” “Then act upon the Señorita Nina’s suggestion at once.” The driver sprang from his box, and at once began to pack the vehicle with stones to weight it down. The baggage was taken from the boot and placed on top, and Sister Felicite mounted there, also, seated upon the cushions. Nina climbed to the seat next to the driver’s upon the box; then the man mounted to his place, seized his reins, and, with a searching glance across the river, to where the trail left the waters on the other shore, he urged the horses into the now turbulent and deep stream. It was a perilous undertaking, but the nun was silent and calm, the young girl fearless-faced and determined, the driver, Pedro, seeming anxious and nervous, understanding the danger more thoroughly, perhaps with a premonition of what lay in their path. The carriage at times was swept along for a few feet; the horses time and again lost their footing but the brave driver knew the ford well, and Nina de Sutro understood just when to use the whip, for she carefully watched every movement of Pedro and the horses. As they neared the other shore one of the horses suddenly sank out of sight into a hole, and the pull dragged the driver over upon the top of his now struggling team. The vehicle swept around suddenly, the driver was beaten down by the plunging, struggling horses, and was swept away upon the surging current. But Nina de Sutro had seized the reins, and, to her great delight, the vehicle was swept upon a bar, where its downward course was arrested, and the horses regained their footing once more. Poor Pedro! “Alas! we, too, must go to join him soon,” said Sister Felicite, with calm resignation. “Yes, sister, the waters are flowing more rapidly, and we will soon be swept away,” was the response of the young girl, who was still cool and full of nerve, though her face had blanched at thus being confronted by what appeared to be sure death. “Keep up your courage, for I will come to your aid!” The voice came from the bank, where a horseman had suddenly dashed down the hill and come to a halt. “I will see if my lasso will reach you. Catch it, señorita, as I throw!” cried the horseman, and he launched the coil into the air, when it was caught by Nina, while the nun on the top of the carriage muttered a fervent: “Holy Mother, I thank thee!” A cheer broke from the lips of the horseman, who was splendidly mounted and equipped, and dressed in the garb of a Mexican gentleman ranchero.