As they neared the other shore one of the horses suddenly sank out of sight into a hole, and the pull dragged the driver over upon the top of his now struggling team.
The vehicle swept around suddenly, the driver was beaten down by the plunging, struggling horses, and was swept away upon the surging current.
But Nina de Sutro had seized the reins, and, to her great delight, the vehicle was swept upon a bar, where its downward course was arrested, and the horses regained their footing once more.
Poor Pedro!
“Alas! we, too, must go to join him soon,” said Sister Felicite, with calm resignation.
“Yes, sister, the waters are flowing more rapidly, and we will soon be swept away,” was the response of the young girl, who was still cool and full of nerve, though her face had blanched at thus being confronted by what appeared to be sure death.
“Keep up your courage, for I will come to your aid!”
The voice came from the bank, where a horseman had suddenly dashed down the hill and come to a halt.
“I will see if my lasso will reach you. Catch it, señorita, as I throw!” cried the horseman, and he launched the coil into the air, when it was caught by Nina, while the nun on the top of the carriage muttered a fervent:
“Holy Mother, I thank thee!”