The second series of rapids, though much more dreaded by Sam than the first, proved to be neither very long, nor, by comparison, very dangerous.
Within ten minutes from the time of entering them they were passed in safety, and the raft was floating down the broadest, smoothest current they had experienced since starting on their perilous journey.
Ike and Wah Shin cautiously released their hold on the logs and looked about them.
Sam again stood up with the steering pole in his hands.
Straight as an arrow, and for fully three miles, the river could be seen flowing down between its towering banks.
This sight brought to Sam a sense of great relief, and its effect on Ike was decidedly exhilarating.
Standing up in the front of the raft he waved his arms like a windmill and shouted out:
"Bress de Lor! we'z safe! we'z safe!"
Escape from the awful dangers they had just come through so miraculously made Ike forget, for the moment, his hunger and the fact that there could be no safety to people floating on a shaky raft, down a river whose course seemed through the very heart of sterile, towering mountains.
Ah, well, this only goes to show that, no matter how desperate the situation we always have something to be thankful for; and that no matter how bad things are, so long as life, health and hope remain, they might be worse.