"Then take her through," said the old man, stepping back; "there is the wheel."
"My fadder he make terreeble thing for me—too much terreeble thing," said Ouillette, shaking his head at the memory.
But he took her through somehow, half blinded by the swirl of water and the shock. At the wheel he stood, and with a touch of his father's hand now and then to help him, he brought the boat down safely. There was a kind of Spartan philosophy in the old man's action. His idea was that, could he once make his son face the worst of this business and come out unharmed, then never would the boy know fear again, for all the rest would be easier than what he had already done. And certainly his plan worked well, for Fred Ouillette has been fearless in the rapids ever since.
"Have you lost any lives?" I asked, reaching out for thrilling stories.
"Nevair," said he.
"Ever come near it?"
He looked at me a moment, and then said quietly: "Always, sair, we come near it."
THE INDIAN PILOTS RESCUE PASSENGERS FROM THE STEAMER ON THE ROCKS.