The children sat down, and leaned their heads against their mother's knee. The others waited in drawing-room chairs; feeling the weariness of anxiety and broken domestic habits. Captain Saucier watched for the return of the boat; but before it seemed possible the little voyage could be made they felt a jar under the gable window, and Rice Jones's voice called. The gable of the house had a sloping roof, its window being on a level with the other windows. Captain Saucier leaned far out. The wind had extinguished the boat's lantern. The rowers were trying to hold the boat broadside to the house, but it rose and fell on waves which became breakers and threatened to capsize it. All Kaskaskia men were acquainted with water. Pierre Menard had made many a river journey. But the Mississippi in this wild aspect was new to them all. "Can you take her in?" shouted Rice. "My sister thinks she cannot be got ashore alive." "Can you lift her to me?" "When the next wave comes," said Rice. He steadied himself and lifted Maria. As the swell again tossed the boat upward, he rose on a bench and lifted her as high as he could. Captain Saucier caught the frail bundle and drew the sick girl into the attic. He laid her down on the children's bed, leaving her to Angelique, while he prepared to put them and their mother into the boat. Rice crept over the wet strip of gable roof, and entered the window after his sister. By lantern light he was a strong living figure. His austerely white face was full of amusement at the Kaskaskian situation. His hat had blown away. The water had sleeked down his hair to a satin skullcap on his full head. "This is a wet night, madame and mesdemoiselles," he observed. "Oh, Monsieur Zhone," lamented Madame Saucier, "how can you laugh? We are all ruined." "No, madame. There is no such word as 'ruin' in the Territory." "And I must take my two little children, and leave Angelique here in the midst of this water." Rice had directly knelt down by his sister and put his hand on her forehead. Maria was quite still, and evidently gathering her little strength together. "But why do you remain?" said Rice to Angelique. She was at Maria's opposite side, and she merely indicated the presence behind the screens; but Peggy explained aloud,-- "She can't go because tante-gra'mere won't be moved." "Put that limb of a Morrison girl out of the house," came an unexpected mandate from amongst the screens. "I would gladly put her out," said Captain Saucier anxiously. "Peggy, my child, now that Mademoiselle Zhone is with Angelique, be persuaded to go with madame and the children." Peggy shook her head, laughing. A keen new delight in delay and danger made her sparkle. "Go yourself, Captain Saucier. One gentleman is enough to take care of us."