"Oh, you're just as good as a tonic, Miss Gale," said Edith. All three seemed to see the funny side of everything, and laughed even when there was no excuse for laughing. The gladness of the day was contagious. The physician looked grave when he saw the unnatural pallor of Edith's face, and noted her heart action. "It is well Miss Bright brought you to me at once, Edith," he said. "You need immediate medical attention. I wish you could remain with us a few days." But she insisted upon returning with her teacher. After a due amount of rest and refreshment, they started homeward, leaving Miss Gale at her boarding place. Then the two approached the ford again. The stream was higher than on the preceding day, and the waters raging. Once more the spirited team dashed forward. Once more the carriage swung with the current; only, now, it was swifter and stronger than on the day before. "Oh, this is terrible!" said Edith, grasping her companion's arm. "Keep up courage, Edith," said Esther. "I think we'll make it." But she noted the deathly whiteness of the girl's face. "Steady, Rocket! Steady, Star!" said the teacher. Her own face grew tense and white. She felt the carriage swing with a sudden lurch, and it began to dawn upon her that the horses might lose in the struggle. She lifted the reins, and called out above the roar of the waters: "On, Rocket! On, Star! Once more, my beauties! Bravo! Oh, God, give them strength! On!" She rose in her excitement, and swung the reins. The noble animals struggled madly. Could they gain the opposite bank? She was filled with sickening fear. "On, Rocket! On, Star!" she urged again. At that moment, the exhausted animals gained the mastery, sprang up the embankment, and stopped suddenly on the level beyond, quivering from their terrific struggle. Esther gave the reins to Edith, and springing from the carriage, she stepped to the horses' heads, patting and stroking them. Her voice trembled as she said: "Rocket, my brave, Star, my beauty, we owe our lives to you." They whinnied as if they understood. She put her cheek to their noses, she laughed, she cried. "I believe they understand," she said. "I feel sure they do," answered Edith. When Esther climbed back into the carriage, she found Edith had fainted. She waited till her patient regained consciousness, and then they started homeward. "Do you know," said Edith, after they had gone some distance, "we have had a very narrow escape? A little more, and we'd have been swept down the river." "I didn't realize the full danger until we were in the midst of the torrent," said Esther. "There was no choice but to go on. I thank God that your life is safe, dear," she added, drawing the girl affectionately to her. "I hope our troubles are over now, and that you'll feel no ill effects from the fright."