Awakening at dawn, I stood up and scanned the shore on either side to see if I could make out some familiar object. In vain, however; and thus an hour or more passed without my seeing any one or being able to tell my whereabouts. Despondent and chilled by the sharp air, I began to search the boat anew, to see if I could not devise some way to reach the shore. While thus busied a voice hailed me, and looking up I was gladdened by finding myself abreast of Mr. Hayward’s ferry, where Constance and I had passed so many happy days. Calling to Mr. Hayward—for it was he—to come to my aid, he loosened the skiff that lay fastened at hand, and pushing into the stream, soon neared the spot where I lay drifting with the current. "Hello, Gilbert; is that you?" he cried, in surprise, on discovering who it was. "Yes, sir." "What’s the matter? Where do you come from?" he asked, resting on his oars as if too much astonished to proceed. "From the War Eagle, sir." "Why in this shape?" he exclaimed. "It’s all that’s left of her, I fear." "All that’s left of her! Why, what do you mean?" "She blew up last night." "God bless us! blew up! and the passengers and crew?" "There were no passengers, but about the crew, oh, Lord! I don’t know," I answered, sorrow-stricken. "How did you get off?" he asked, after a while. "I was dragging at the stern." "Well, that was lucky, anyway." "Yes, I suppose so," I answered, not elated as I should have been over my escape, so great was my sorrow for those who were lost. "What was the matter? Were you racing?" "Well, there was a boat alongside of us." "That’s it," he answered, his temper rising, as men’s will sometimes after a great shock; "our river men will never learn anything, and now this new accident!" "Yes, sir; but it couldn’t be helped. No one was to blame." "No, of course not. It was Providence," he answered. "That is where we lay the blame for all the foolish things we do. What a spinal column Providence must have," he went on, "to carry so great a burden! But while we are talking, the current is taking us to the gulf"; and starting up, he soon reached my boat, and fastening it to the one he was in, put forth all his strength, and so brought us quickly to the landing a few steps from his home. *CHAPTER XLV* *TELLING THE NEWS* Mrs. Hayward was greatly surprised at my coming, and more so at the terrible accident that had befallen the War Eagle. Hastening, I begged a horse of Mr. Hayward, that I might reach Appletop before news could come to Constance. While standing at the door of the cabin waiting, I told them of the mishap and my escape, at all of which they wondered. When I was ready to mount, Mr. Hayward asked me what I intended to do after seeing my friends. "Bring your horse back and thank you for your kindness," I answered, not attaching any other meaning to what he said.