108 LUCY AMONG THE MOUNTAINS.

in running the risk for nothing ; so, instead of
making a bridge of the slab, we'll make a ship
of it.”

As she said this, she pushed one end of the
slab outwards, to make it point out into the stream.
It tumed slowly, and, when it was pointed in the
right direction, she gave it a long push, by which
it was sent, by a slow but steady motion, away:
out into the current. The current immediately
turned it down the stream. It went swiftly along
the rapids, until presently the end struck against
a small rock, which happened to be in its course,
projecting a little above the surface of the water.
This stopped the force of the motion immediately,
and the upper end of the slab began to move
slowly round, and to drift sideways down the
stream. They watched it a few minutes, and
then they climbed up the steep, grassy, and rocky
bank, unfastened the horse, got into the wagon,
and rode on