They plunged forward and were over their depth at once, while the carriage sank nearly to the top, the waters dashing through the doors, which had been opened wide and made fast. This alone saved the carriage from being upset by the pressure of the waters. The noble horse ashore drew hard, and the rescuer also pulled with all his might, the lasso and stake-ropes, fast to the pole and dashboard, being taut as a wire. As the horses and vehicle swept off of the bar they swung toward the shore, and, after a moment of intense suspense to the nun and Nina, they beheld the team gain a footing; then the carriage began to rise from the stream, and a moment after the stranger plunged in, seized the bits of the animals, and led them a hundred feet up the current to the ford, where a landing could be made. A moment more and the panting horses had dragged the vehicle out of danger, while the stranger cried: “Saved, and only a foot wet!” “Yes, sir, you have saved this child’s life and mine, and Heaven will reward you for it. But, alas! poor Pedro has gone to his doom. May the blessed Mother have mercy upon his soul!” “_Amen!_” came the low, but fervent response of the young girl, and holding out her hand to the stranger, she said in a frank manner natural to her: “You have saved Sister Felicite and poor little me from death, for without your aid we were doomed. Oh, señor, never will I forget you and the scene of this day!” The stranger bowed courteously, and replied: “It was my fortune to be near to aid you. Now let me drive you to the Mission San José, where I suppose you are to pass the night, for it is but a mile away.” “You are most kind, sir; but do not let me lead you from your way, for I can drive.” “No, the road is bad and dangerous, and I will see you to safety before I leave you.” The baggage was then taken from the top, and placed in the boot again; the nun entered the carriage, Nina retaining her seat upon the box, seeming not to hear the good Felicite’s gentle command for her to sit with her. Springing to his seat, the stranger called to his horse to follow, and drove off with the skill of an experienced driver. The Mission San José was reached in safety, and there the stranger left them, but Nina de Sutro never forgot that ride, or the face of the man who had saved her life. Without a word regarding himself, not even giving his name or calling, the daring rescuer of two lives had sprung into his saddle, after reaching the mission, raised his sombrero courteously, and, dashing spurs into his horse, had gone off like the wind. “Who is he, Father Ambrose?” asked the nun, addressing the head priest of the Mission. “I do not know, Sister Felicite, for I never saw him before; but he shall have the prayers of the church for his noble deed done this day for you and this child,” was the response, and the travelers were made comfortable at the Mission for the night.