"Madame," answered David, "the boat can only hold five persons. There is a man, a woman, and three children to save; to accompany us in the boat is to force us to leave to certain death the father, the mother, and the children." At these words, Madame Bastien said to her son, "Go then alone, my child." And the mother and son mingled their tears and their kisses in a last embrace. Frederick, as he left his mother's arms, saw David, in spite of his firmness, weeping. "Mother!" said Frederick, showing his friend to her. "Look at him." "Save his body as you have saved his soul!" cried the young woman, pressing David convulsively against her palpitating bosom. "Bring him back to me or I shall die." David was worthy of the chaste and sacred embrace of this young woman, who saw her son about to brave death. It was a weeping sister that he pressed to his heart. Then, taking Frederick by the hand, he darted in the direction of the cart; both gave a last look at Madame Bastien, whose strength was exhausted, as she sank upon one of the rustic benches in the grove. This attack of weakness past, Marie rose and stood, following her son and David with her eyes as long as she could see them. CHAPTER XXIX. In a quarter of an hour the little boat was lifted from the cart, and soon after was set afloat on the dead waters of the inundation. "André, stay there with the cart," said the preceptor, "because the miserable people, to whose rescue we are going, will be altogether too feeble to walk to Madame Bastien's house." "Well, M. David," said the old man. And he added with emotion: "Good courage, my poor M. Frederick." "My child," said David, just as the boat was leaving the shore, "in order to be prepared for any emergency, do as I do. Take off your shoes and stockings, your coat and your cravat; throw your coat over your shoulders to prevent your taking cold. Whatever happens to me, do not concern yourself about me. I am a good swimmer, and in trying to save me, you would drown us both. Now, my child, at your oars, and row hard, but not too fast; husband your strength. I will be on the watch in front, and will sound the waters. Come now, with calmness and presence of mind, all will go well." The boat now had left the shore. Courage, energy, and the consciousness of the noble expiation he was about to attempt, supplied Frederick with all the strength that he had lost during his long illness of mind and body. His beautiful features animated with enthusiasm, his eyes fixed on David, watching for every order, the son of Madame Bastien rowed with vigour and precision. At each stroke of the oar, the little boat advanced rapidly and without obstruction.