Butinthesummertime，especiallyafteryou’vebeeninMariposaforamonthortwo，andhavepaddledalongsideofherinacanoe，shegetslargerandtaller，andwithagreatsweepofblacksides，tillyouseenodifferencebetweentheMariposaBelleandtheLusitania。
　　Eachoneisabigsteamerandthat’sallyoucansay。
　　Nordohermeasurementshelpyoumuch。Shedrawsabouteighteeninchesforward，andmorethanthat，——atleasthalfaninchmore，astern，andwhenshe’sloadeddownwithanexcursioncrowdshedrawsagoodtwoinchesmore。Andabovethewater，——why，lookatallthedecksonher！There’sthedeckyouwalkonto，fromthewharf，allshutin，withwindowsalongit，andtheaftercabinwiththelongtable，andabovethatthedeckwithallthechairspileduponit，andthedeckinfrontwherethebandstandroundinacircle，andthepilothouseishigherthanthat，andabovethepilothouseistheboardwiththegoldnameandtheflagpoleandthesteelropesandtheflags;andfixedinsomewhereonthedifferentlevelsisthelunchcounterwheretheysellthesandwiches，andtheengineroom，anddownbelowthedecklevel，beneaththewaterline，istheplacewherethecrewsleep。Whatwithstepsandstairsandpassagesandpilesofcordwoodfortheengine，——ohno，IguessHarlandandWolffdidn’tbuildher。Theycouldn’thave。
　　YetevenwithahugeboatliketheMariposaBelle，itwouldbeimpossibleforhertocarryallofthecrowdthatyouseeintheboatandonthewharf。Inreality，thecrowdismadeupoftwoclasses，——allofthepeopleinMariposawhoaregoingontheexcursionandallthosewhoarenot。Somecomefortheonereasonandsomefortheother。
　　ThetwotellersoftheExchangeBankareboththerestandingsidebyside。Butoneofthem，——theonewiththecameopinandthelongfacelikeahorse，——isgoing，andtheother，——withtheothercameopinandthefacelikeanotherhorse，——isnot。Inthesameway，HusselloftheNewspacketisgoing，buthisbrother，besidehim，isn’t。LilianDroneisgoing，buthersistercan’t;andsoonallthroughthecrowd。
　　Andtothinkthatthingsshouldlooklikethatonthemorningofasteamboataccident。
　　Howstrangelifeis！
　　Tothinkofallthesepeoplesoeagerandanxioustocatchthesteamer，andsomeofthemrunningtocatchit，andsofearfulthattheymightmissit，——themorningofasteamboataccident。Andthecaptainblowinghiswhistle，andwarningthemsoseverelythathewouldleavethembehind，——leavethemoutoftheaccident！Andeverybodycrowdingsoeagerlytobeintheaccident。
　　Perhapslifeislikethatallthrough。
　　Strangestofalltothink，inacaselikethis，ofthepeoplewhowereleftbehind，orinsomewayorotherpreventedfromgoing，andalwaysafterwardstoldofhowtheyhadescapedbeingonboardtheMariposaBellethatday！
　　Someoftheinstanceswerecertainlyextraordinary。Nivens，thelawyer，escapedfrombeingtheremerelybythefactthathewasawayinthecity。
　　Towers，thetailor，onlyescapedowingtothefactthat，notintendingtogoontheexcursionhehadstayedinbedtilleighto’clockandsohadnotgone。Henarratedafterwardsthatwakingupthatmorningathalf—pastfive，hehadthoughtoftheexcursionandforsomeunaccountablereasonhadfeltgladthathewasnotgoing。
　　ThecaseofYodel，theauctioneer，wasevenmoreinscrutable。HehadbeentotheOddfellows’excursiononthetraintheweekbeforeandtotheConservativepicnictheweekbeforethat，andhaddecidednottogoonthistrip。Infact，hehadnottheleastintentionofgoing。
　　HenarratedafterwardshowthenightbeforesomeonehadstoppedhimonthecornerofNippewaandTecumsehStreets（heindicatedtheveryspot）andasked："Areyougoingtotakeintheexcursionto—morrow？"
　　andhehadsaid，justassimplyashewastalkingwhennarratingit：
　　"No。"Andtenminutesafterthat，atthecornerofDalhousieandBrockStreets（heofferedtoleadapartyofverificationtothepreciseplace）somebodyelsehadstoppedhimandasked："Well，areyougoingonthesteamertripto—morrow？"Againhehadanswered：
　　"No，"apparentlyalmostinthesametoneasbefore。
　　HesaidafterwardsthatwhenheheardtherumouroftheaccidentitseemedlikethefingerofProvidence，andfellonhiskneesinthankfulness。
　　TherewasthesimilarcaseofMorison（ImeantheoneinGlover’shardwarestorethatmarriedoneoftheThompsons）。Hesaidafterwardsthathehadreadsomuchinthepapersaboutaccidentslately，——miningaccidents，andaeroplanesandgasoline，——thathehadgrownnervous。Thenightbeforehiswifehadaskedhimatsupper：
　　"Areyougoingontheexcursion？"Hehadanswered："No，Idon’tthinkIfeellikeit，"andhadadded："Perhapsyourmothermightliketogo。"Andthenexteveningjustatdusk，whenthenewsranthroughthetown，hesaidthefirstthoughtthatflashedthroughhisheadwas：
　　"Mrs。Thompson’sonthatboat。"
　　HetoldthisrightasIsayit——withouttheleastdoubtorconfusion。
　　HeneverforamomentimaginedshewasontheLusitaniaortheOlympicoranyotherboat。Heknewshewasonthisone。Hesaidyoucouldhaveknockedhimdownwherehestood。Butnoonehad。Notevenwhenhegothalfwaydown，——onhisknees，anditwouldhavebeeneasierstilltoknockhimdownorkickhim。Peopledomissalotofchances。
　　Still，asIsay，neitherYodelnorMorisonnoranyonethoughtabouttherebeinganaccidentuntiljustaftersundownwhenthey——
　　Well，haveyoueverheardthelongboomingwhistleofasteamboattwomilesoutonthelakeinthedusk，andwhileyoulistenandcountandwonder，seenthecrimsonrocketsgoingupagainsttheskyandthenheardthefirebellringingrighttherebesideyouinthetown，andseenthepeoplerunningtothetownwharf？
　　That’swhatthepeopleofMariposasawandfeltthatsummereveningastheywatchedtheMackinawlife—boatgoplungingoutintothelakewithsevensweepstoasideandthefoamcleartothegunwalewiththeliftingstrokeoffourteenmen！
　　But，dearme，Iamafraidthatthisisnowaytotellastory。I
　　supposethetrueartwouldhavebeentohavesaidnothingabouttheaccidenttillithappened。ButwhenyouwriteaboutMariposa，orhearofit，ifyouknowtheplace，it’sallsovividandrealthatathinglikethecontrastbetweentheexcursioncrowdinthemorningandthesceneatnightleapsintoyourmindandyoumustthinkofit。
　　Butnevermindabouttheaccident，——letusturnbackagaintothemorning。
　　Theboatwasduetoleaveatseven。Therewasnodoubtaboutthehour，——notonlyseven，butsevensharp。ThenoticeintheNewspacketsaid："Theboatwillleavesharpatseven;"andtheadvertisingpostersonthetelegraphpolesonMissinabaStreetthatbegan"Ho，forIndian’sIsland！"endedupwiththewords："Boatleavesatsevensharp。"Therewasabignoticeonthewharfthatsaid："Boatleavessharpontime。"
　　Soatseven，rightonthehour，thewhistleblewloudandlong，andthenatsevenfifteenthreeshortperemptoryblasts，andatseventhirtyonequickangrycall，——justone，——andverysoonafterthattheycastoffthelastoftheropesandtheMariposaBellesailedoffinhercloudofflags，andthebandoftheKnightsofPythias，timingittoanicety，brokeintothe"MapleLeafforEver！"
　　Isupposethatallexcursionswhentheystartaremuchthesame。
　　Anyway，ontheMariposaBelleeverybodywentrunningupanddownallovertheboatwithdeckchairsandcampstoolsandbaskets，andfoundplaces，splendidplacestosit，andthengotscaredthattheremightbebetteronesandchasedoffagain。Peoplehuntedforplacesoutofthesunandwhentheygotthemsworethattheyweren’tgoingtofreezetopleaseanybody;andthepeopleinthesunsaidthattheyhadn’tpaidfiftycentstoberoasted。Otherssaidthattheyhadn’tpaidfiftycentstogetcoveredwithcinders，andtherewerestillotherswhohadn’tpaidfiftycentstogetshakentodeathwiththepropeller。
　　Still，itwasallrightpresently。Thepeopleseemedtogetsortedoutintotheplacesontheboatwheretheybelonged。Thewomen，theolderones，allgravitatedintothecabinonthelowerdeckandbygettingroundthetablewithneedlework，andwithallthewindowsshut，theysoonhadit，astheysaidthemselves，justlikebeingathome。
　　Alltheyoungboysandthetoughsandthemeninthebandgotdownonthelowerdeckforward，wheretheboatwasdirtiestandwheretheanchorwasandthecoilsofrope。
　　AndupstairsontheafterdecktherewereLilianDroneandMissLawson，thehighschoolteacher，withabookofGermanpoetry，——GotheyIthinkitwas，——andthebanktellerandtheyoungermen。
　　Inthecentre，standingbesidetherail，wereDeanDroneandDr。
　　Gallagher，lookingthroughbinocularglassesattheshore。
　　Upinfrontonthelittledeckforwardofthepilothousewasagroupoftheoldermen，MullinsandDuffandMr。Smithinadeckchair，andbesidehimMr。GolgothaGingham，theundertakerofMariposa，onastool。ItwaspartofMr。Gingham’sprinciplestotakeinanoutingofthissort，abusinessmatter，moreorless，——foryouneverknowwhatmayhappenatthesewaterparties。Atanyrate，hewasthereinaneatsuitofblack，not，ofcourse，hisheavierorprofessionalsuit，butasoftclingingeffectasofburntpaperthatcombinedgaietyanddecorumtoanicety。
　　"Yes，"saidMr。Gingham，wavinghisblackgloveinageneralwaytowardstheshore，"Iknowthelakewell，verywell。I’vebeenprettymuchalloveritinmytime。"
　　"Canoeing？"askedsomebody。
　　"No，"saidMr。Gingham，"notinacanoe。"Thereseemedapeculiarandquietmeaninginhistone。
　　"Sailing，Isuppose，"saidsomebodyelse。
　　"No，"saidMr。Gingham。"Idon’tunderstandit。"
　　"Ineverknowedthatyouwentontothewateratall，Gol，"saidMr。
　　Smith，breakingin。
　　"Ah，notnow，"explainedMr。Gingham;"itwasyearsago，thefirstsummerIcametoMariposa。Iwasonthewaterpracticallyallday。
　　Nothinglikeittogiveamananappetiteandkeephiminshape。"
　　"Wasyoucamping？"askedMr。Smith。
　　"Wecampedatnight，"assentedtheundertaker，"butweputinpracticallythewholedayonthewater。Youseewewereafterapartythathadcomeupherefromthecityonhisvacationandgoneoutinasailingcanoe。Weweredragging。Wewereupeverymorningatsunrise，litafireonthebeachandcookedbreakfast，andthenwe’dlightourpipesandbeoffwiththenetforawholeday。It’sagreatlife，"
　　concludedMr。Ginghamwistfully。
　　"Didyougethim？"askedtwoorthreetogether。
　　TherewasapausebeforeMr。Ginghamanswered。
　　"Wedid，"hesaid，——"downinthereedspastHorseshoePoint。Butitwasnouse。Heturnedblueonmerightaway。"
　　AfterwhichMr。Ginghamfellintosuchadeepreveriethattheboathadsteamedanotherhalfmiledownthelakebeforeanybodybrokethesilenceagain。
　　Talkofthissort，——andafterallwhatmoresuitableforadayonthewater？——beguiledtheway。
　　Downthelake，milebymileoverthecalmwater，steamedtheMariposaBelle。TheypassedPoplarPointwherethehighsand—banksarewithalltheswallows’nestsinthem，andDeanDroneandDr。Gallagherlookedatthemalternatelythroughthebinocularglasses，anditwaswonderfulhowplainlyonecouldseetheswallowsandthebanksandtheshrubs，——justasplainlyaswiththenakedeye。
　　AndalittlefurtherdowntheypassedtheShingleBeach，andDr。
　　Gallagher，whoknewCanadianhistory，saidtoDeanDronethatitwasstrangetothinkthatChamplainhadlandedtherewithhisFrenchexplorersthreehundredyearsago;andDeanDrone，whodidn’tknowCanadianhistory，saiditwasstrangerstilltothinkthatthehandoftheAlmightyhadpiledupthehillsandrockslongbeforethat;
　　andDr。GallaghersaiditwaswonderfulhowtheFrenchhadfoundtheirwaythroughsuchapathlesswilderness;andDeanDronesaidthatitwaswonderfulalsotothinkthattheAlmightyhadplacedeventhesmallestshrubinitsappointedplace。Dr。Gallaghersaiditfilledhimwithadmiration。DeanDronesaiditfilledhimwithawe。
　　Dr。Gallaghersaidhe’dbeenfullofiteversincehewasaboy;andDeanDronesaidsohadhe。
　　Thenalittlefurther，astheMariposaBellesteamedondownthelake，theypassedtheOldIndianPortagewherethegreatgreyrocksare;andDr。GallagherdrewDeanDrone’sattentiontotheplacewherethenarrowcanoetrackwoundupfromtheshoretothewoods，andDeanDronesaidhecouldseeitperfectlywellwithouttheglasses。
　　Dr。GallaghersaidthatitwasjustherethatapartyoffivehundredFrenchhadmadetheirwaywithalltheirbaggageandaccoutrementsacrosstherocksofthedivideanddowntotheGreatBay。AndDeanDronesaidthatitremindedhimofXenophonleadinghistenthousandGreeksoverthehillpassesofArmeniadowntothesea。Dr。
　　GallaghersaidthehehadoftenwishedhecouldhaveseenandspokentoChamplain，andDeanDronesaidhowmuchheregrettedtohaveneverknownXenophon。
　　Andthenafterthattheyfelltotalkingofrelicsandtracesofthepast，andDr。GallaghersaidthatifDeanDronewouldcomeroundtohishousesomenighthewouldshowhimsomeIndianarrowheadsthathehaddugupinhisgarden。AndDeanDronesaidthatifDr。
　　GallagherwouldcomeroundtotherectoryanyafternoonhewouldshowhimamapofXerxes’invasionofGreece。OnlyhemustcomesometimebetweentheInfantClassandtheMothers’Auxiliary。
　　Sopresentlytheybothknewthattheywereblockedoutofoneanother’shousesforsometimetocome，andDr。GallagherwalkedforwardandtoldMr。Smith，whohadneverstudiedGreek，aboutChamplaincrossingtherockdivide。
　　Mr。SmithturnedhisheadandlookedatthedivideforhalfasecondandthensaidhehadcrossedaworseoneupnorthbackoftheWahnipitaeandthattheflieswereHades，——andthenwentonplayingfreezeoutpokerwiththetwojuniorsinDuff’sbank。
　　SoDr。Gallagherrealizedthatthat’salwaysthewaywhenyoutrytotellpeoplethings，andthatasfarasgratitudeandappreciationgoesonemightaswellneverreadbooksortravelanywhereordoanything。
　　Infact，itwasatthisverymomentthathemadeuphismindtogivethearrowstotheMariposaMechanics’Institute，——theyafterwardsbecame，asyouknow，theGallagherCollection。But，forthetimebeing，thedoctorwassickofthemandwanderedoffroundtheboatandwatchedHenryMullinsshowingGeorgeDuffhowtomakeaJohnCollinswithoutlemons，andfinallywentandsatdownamongtheMariposabandandwishedthathehadn’tcome。
　　Sotheboatsteamedonandthesunrosehigherandhigher，andthefreshnessofthemorningchangedintothefullglareofnoon，andtheywentontowherethelakebegantonarrowinatitsfoot，justwheretheIndian’sIslandis，allgrassandtreesandwithalogwharfrunningintothewater：BelowittheLowerOssawippirunsoutofthelake，andquiteneararetherapids，andyoucanseedownamongthetreestheredbrickofthepowerhouseandheartheroaroftheleapingwater。
　　TheIndian’sIslanditselfisallcoveredwithtreesandtangledvines，andthewateraboutitissostillthatit’sallreflecteddoubleandlooksthesameeitherwayup。Thenwhenthesteamer’swhistleblowsasitcomesintothewharf，youhearitechoamongthetreesoftheisland，andreverberatebackfromtheshoresofthelake。
　　Thesceneisallsoquietandstillandunbroken，thatMissCleghorn，——thesallowgirlinthetelephoneexchange，thatIspokeof——saidshe’dliketobeburiedthere。Butallthepeopleweresobusygettingtheirbasketsandgatheringuptheirthingsthatnoonehadtimetoattendtoit。
　　Imustn’teventrytodescribethelandingandtheboatcrunchingagainstthewoodenwharfandallthepeoplerunningtothesamesideofthedeckandChristieJohnsoncallingouttothecrowdtokeeptothestarboardandnobodybeingabletofindit。EveryonewhohasbeenonaMariposaexcursionknowsallaboutthat。
　　NorcanIdescribethedayitselfandthepicnicunderthetrees。
　　’Therewerespeechesafterwards，andJudgePepperleighgavesuchoffencebybringinginConservativepoliticsthatamancalledPatriotusCanadiensiswroteandaskedforsomeoftheinvaluablespaceoftheMariposaTimes—Heraldandexposedit。
　　Ishouldsaythattherewereracestoo，onthegrassontheopensideoftheisland，gradedmostlyaccordingtoages，racesforboysunderthirteenandgirlsovernineteenandallthatsortofthing。SportsaregenerallyconductedonthatplaninMariposa。Itisrealizedthatawomanofsixtyhasanunfairadvantageoveramerechild。
　　DeanDronemanagedtheracesanddecidedtheagesandgaveouttheprizes;theWesleyanministerhelped，andheandtheyoungstudent，whowasrelievinginthePresbyterianChurch，heldthestringatthewinningpoint。
　　Theyhadtogetmostlyclergymenfortheracesbecauseallthemenhadwanderedoff，somehow，towheretheyweredrinkinglagerbeeroutoftwokegsstuckonpinelogsamongthetrees。
　　Butifyou’veeverbeenonaMariposaexcursionyouknowallaboutthesedetailsanyway。
　　SothedayworeonandpresentlythesuncamethroughthetreesonaslantandthesteamerwhistleblewwithagreatpuffofwhitesteamandallthepeoplecamestragglingdowntothewharfandprettysoontheMariposaBellehadfloatedoutontothelakeagainandheadedforthetown，twentymilesaway。
　　Isupposeyouhaveoftennoticedthecontrastthereisbetweenanexcursiononitswayoutinthemorningandwhatitlookslikeonthewayhome。
　　Inthemorningeverybodyissorestlessandanimatedandmovestoandfroallovertheboatandasksquestions。Butcominghome，astheafternoongetslaterandthesunsinksbeyondthehills，allthepeopleseemtogetsostillandquietanddrowsy。
　　SoitwaswiththepeopleontheMariposaBelle。Theysatthereonthebenchesandthedeckchairsinlittleclusters，andlistenedtotheregularbeatofthepropellerandalmostdozedoffasleepastheysat。Thenwhenthesunsetandtheduskdrewon，itgrewalmostdarkonthedeckandsostillthatyoucouldhardlytelltherewasanyoneonboard。
　　Andifyouhadlookedatthesteamerfromtheshoreorfromoneoftheislands，you’dhaveseentherowoflightsfromthecabinwindowsshiningonthewaterandtheredglareoftheburninghemlockfromthefunnel，andyou’dhaveheardthesoftthudofthepropellermilesawayoverthelake。
　　Nowandthen，too，youcouldhaveheardthemsingingonthesteamer，——thevoicesofthegirlsandthemenblendedintounisonbythedistance，risingandfallinginlong—drawnmelody：
　　"O——Can—a—da——O——Can—a—da。"
　　YoumaytalkasyouwillabouttheintoningchoirsofyourEuropeancathedrals，butthesoundof"OCan—a—da，"borneacrossthewatersofasilentlakeateveningisgoodenoughforthoseofuswhoknowMariposa。
　　Ithinkthatitwasjustastheyweresinginglikethis：
　　"O——Can—a—da，"thatwordwentroundthattheboatwassinking。
　　Ifyouhaveeverbeeninanysuddenemergencyonthewater，youwillunderstandthestrangepsychologyofit，——thewayinwhichwhatishappeningseemstobecomeknownallinamomentwithoutawordbeingsaid。Thenewsistransmittedfromonetotheotherbysomemysteriousprocess。
　　Atanyrate，ontheMariposaBellefirstoneandthentheotherheardthatthesteamerwassinking。AsfarasIcouldeverlearnthefirstofitwasthatGeorgeDuff，thebankmanager，cameveryquietlytoDr。Gallagherandaskedhimifhethoughtthattheboatwassinking。
　　Thedoctorsaidno，thathehadthoughtsoearlierinthedaybutthathedidn’tnowthinkthatshewas。
　　AfterthatDuff，accordingtohisownaccount，hadsaidtoMacartney，thelawyer，thattheboatwassinking，andMacartneysaidthathedoubteditverymuch。
　　ThensomebodycametoJudgePepperleighandwokehimupandsaidthattherewassixinchesofwaterinthesteamerandthatshewassinking。AndPepperleighsaiditwasperfectscandalandpassedthenewsontohiswifeandshesaidthattheyhadnobusinesstoallowitandthatifthesteamersankthatwasthelastexcursionshe’dgoon。
　　SothenewswentallroundtheboatandeverywherethepeoplegatheredingroupsandtalkedaboutitintheangryandexcitedwaythatpeoplehavewhenasteamerissinkingononeofthelakeslikeLakeWissanotti。
　　DeanDrone，ofcourse，andsomeotherswerequieteraboutit，andsaidthatonemustmakeallowancesandthatnaturallythereweretwosidestoeverything。Butmostofthemwouldn’tlistentoreasonatall。Ithink，perhaps，thatsomeofthemwerefrightened。Youseethelasttimebutonethatthesteamerhadsunk，therehadbeenamandrownedanditmadethemnervous。
　　What？Hadn’tIexplainedaboutthedepthofLakeWissanotti？Ihadtakenitforgrantedthatyouknew;andinanycasepartsofitaredeepenough，thoughIdon’tsupposeinthisstretchofitfromthebigreedbedsuptowithinamileofthetownwharf，youcouldfindsixfeetofwaterinitifyoutried。Oh，pshaw！Iwasnottalkingaboutasteamersinkingintheoceanandcarryingdownitsscreamingcrowdsofpeopleintothehideousdepthsofgreenwater。Oh，dearmeno！ThatkindofthingneverhappensonLakeWissanotti。
　　ButwhatdoeshappenisthattheMariposaBellesinkseverynowandthen，andsticksthereonthebottomtilltheygetthingsstraightenedup。
　　OnthelakesroundMariposa，ifapersonarriveslateanywhereandexplainsthatthesteamersank，everybodyunderstandsthesituation。
　　YouseewhenHarlandandWolffbuilttheMariposaBelle，theyleftsomecracksinbetweenthetimbersthatyoufillupwithcottonwasteeverySunday。Ifthisisnotattendedto，theboatsinks。Infact，itispartofthelawoftheprovincethatallthesteamersliketheMariposaBellemustbeproperlycorked，——Ithinkthatistheword，——everyseason。Thereareinspectorswhovisitallthehotelsintheprovincetoseethatitisdone。
　　SoyoucanimaginenowthatI’veexplaineditalittlestraighter，theindignationofthepeoplewhentheyknewthattheboathadcomeuncorkedandthattheymightbestuckoutthereonashoaloramud—bankhalfthenight。
　　Idon’tsayeitherthattherewasn’tanydanger;anyway，itdoesn’tfeelverysafewhenyourealizethattheboatissettlingdownwitheveryhundredyardsthatshegoes，andyoulookoverthesideandseeonlytheblackwaterinthegatheringnight。
　　Safe！I’mnotsurenowthatIcometothinkofitthatitisn’tworsethansinkingintheAtlantic。Afterall，intheAtlanticthereiswirelesstelegraphy，andalotoftrainedsailorsandstewards。ButoutonLakeWissanotti，——farout，sothatyoucanonlyjustseethelightsofthetownawayofftothesouth，——whenthepropellercomestoastop，——andyoucanhearthehissofsteamastheystarttorakeouttheenginefirestopreventanexplosion，——andwhenyouturnfromtheredglarethatcomesfromthefurnacedoorsastheyopenthem，totheblackdarkthatisgatheringoverthelake，——andthere’sanightwindbeginningtorunamongtherushes，——andyouseethemengoingforwardtotheroofofthepilothousetosenduptherocketstorousethetown，safe？Safeyourself，ifyoulike;asforme，letmeoncegetbackintoMariposaagain，underthenightshadowofthemapletrees，andthisshallbethelast，lasttimeI’llgoonLakeWissanotti。
　　Safe！Ohyes！Isn’titstrangehowsafeotherpeople’sadventuresseemaftertheyhappen？Butyou’dhavebeenscared，too，ifyou’dbeentherejustbeforethesteamersank，andseenthembringingupallthewomenontothetopdeck。
　　Idon’tseehowsomeofthepeopletookitsocalmly;howMr。Smith，forinstance，couldhavegoneonsmokingandtellinghowhe’dhadasteamer"sinkonhim"onLakeNipissingandastillbiggerone，aside—wheeler，sinkonhiminLakeAbbitibbi。
　　Then，quitesuddenly，withaquiver，downshewent。Youcouldfeeltheboatsink，sink，——down，down，——woulditnevergettothebottom？
　　Thewatercameflushuptothelowerdeck，andthen，——thankheaven，——thesinkingstoppedandtherewastheMariposaBellesafeandtightonareedbank。
　　Really，itmadeonepositivelylaugh！Itseemedsoqueerand，anyway，ifamanhasasortofnaturalcourage，dangermakeshimlaugh。
　　Danger！pshaw！fiddlesticks！everybodyscoutedtheidea。Why，itisjustthelittlethingslikethisthatgivezesttoadayonthewater。
　　Withinhalfaminutetheywereallrunningroundlookingforsandwichesandcrackingjokesandtalkingofmakingcoffeeovertheremainsoftheenginefires。
　　Idon’tneedtotellatlengthhowitallhappenedafterthat。
　　IsupposethepeopleontheMariposaBellewouldhavehadtosettledownthereallnightortillhelpcamefromthetown，butsomeofthemenwhohadgoneforwardandwerepeeringoutintothedarksaidthatitcouldn’tbemorethanamileacrossthewatertoMiller’sPoint。
　　Youcouldalmostseeitovertheretotheleft，——someofthem，I
　　think，said"offontheportbow，"becauseyouknowwhenyougetmixedupinthesemarinedisasters，yousooncatchtheatmosphereofthething。
　　Soprettysoontheyhadthedavitsswungoutoverthesideandwereloweringtheoldlifeboatfromthetopdeckintothewater。
　　ThereweremenleaningoutovertherailoftheMariposaBellewithlanternsthatthrewthelightastheyletherdown，andtheglarefellonthewaterandthereeds。Butwhentheygottheboatlowered，itlookedsuchafrail，clumsythingasonesawitfromtherailabove，thatthecrywasraised："Womenandchildrenfirst！"Forwhatwasthesense，ifitshouldturnoutthattheboatwouldn’tevenholdwomenandchildren，oftryingtojamalotofheavymenintoit？
　　Sotheyputinmostlywomenandchildrenandtheboatpushedoutintothedarknesssofreighteddownitwouldhardlyfloat。
　　InthebowofitwasthePresbyterianstudentwhowasrelievingtheminister，andhecalledoutthattheywereinthehandsofProvidence。Buthewascrouchedandreadytospringoutofthematthefirstmoment。
　　Sotheboatwentandwaslostinthedarknessexceptforthelanterninthebowthatyoucouldseebobbingonthewater。Thenpresentlyitcamebackandtheysentanotherload，tillprettysoonthedecksbegantothinoutandeverybodygotimpatienttobegone。
　　Itwasaboutthetimethatthethirdboat—loadputoffthatMr。SmithtookabetwithMullinsfortwenty—fivedollars，thathe’dbehomeinMariposabeforethepeopleintheboatshadwalkedroundtheshore。
　　Nooneknewjustwhathemeant，butprettysoontheysawMr。Smithdisappeardownbelowintothelowestpartofthesteamerwithamalletinonehandandabigbundleofmarlineintheother。
　　Theymighthavewonderedmoreaboutit，butitwasjustatthistimethattheyheardtheshoutsfromtherescueboat——thebigMackinawlifeboat——thathadputoutfromthetownwithfourteenmenatthesweepswhentheysawthefirstrocketsgoup。
　　Isupposethereisalwayssomethinginspiringaboutarescueatsea，oronthewater。
　　Afterall，thebraveryofthelifeboatmanisthetruebravery，——expendedtosavelife，nottodestroyit。
　　CertainlytheytoldformonthsafterofhowtherescueboatcameouttotheMariposaBelle。
　　IsupposethatwhentheyputherinthewaterthelifeboattoucheditforthefirsttimesincetheoldMacdonaldGovernmentplacedheronLakeWissanotti。
　　Anyway，thewaterpouredinateveryseam。Butnotforamoment，——evenwithtwomilesofwaterbetweenthemandthesteamer，——didtherowerspauseforthat。
　　Bythetimetheywerehalf—waytherethewaterwasalmostuptothethwarts，buttheydroveheron。Pantingandexhausted（formindyou，ifyouhaven’tbeeninafoolboatlikethatforyears，rowingtakesitoutofyou），therowersstucktotheirtask。Theythrewtheballastoverandchuckedintothewatertheheavycorkjacketsandlifebeltsthatencumberedtheirmovements。Therewasnothoughtofturningback。Theywerenearertothesteamerthantheshore。
　　"Hangtoit，boys，"calledthecrowdfromthesteamer’sdeck，andhangtheydid。
　　Theywerealmostexhaustedwhentheygotthem;menleaningfromthesteamerthrewthemropesandonebyoneeverymanwashauledaboardjustasthelifeboatsankundertheirfeet。
　　Saved！byHeaven，saved，byoneofthesmartestpiecesofrescueworkeverseenonthelake。
　　There’snousedescribingit;youneedtoseerescueworkofthiskindbylifeboatstounderstandit。
　　Norwerethelifeboatcrewtheonlyonesthatdistinguishedthemselves。
　　BoatafterboatandcanoeaftercanoehadputoutfromMariposatothehelpofthesteamer。Theygotthemall。Pupkin，theotherbankteller，withafacelikeahorse，whohadn’tgoneontheexcursion，——assoonasheknewthattheboatwassignallingforhelpandthatMissLawsonwassendinguprockets，——rushedforarowboat，grabbedanoar（twowouldhavehamperedhim），andpaddledmadlyoutintothelake。Hestruckrightoutintothedarkwiththecrazyskiffalmostsinkingbeneathhisfeet。Buttheygothim。Theyrescuedhim。
　　Theywatchedhim，almostdeadwithexhaustion，makehiswaytothesteamer，wherehewashauledupwithropes。Saved！Saved！！
　　Theymighthavegoneonthatwayhalfthenight，pickinguptherescuers，only，attheverymomentwhenthetenthloadofpeopleleftfortheshore，——justassuddenlyandsaucilyasyouplease，upcametheMariposaBellefromthemudbottomandfloated。
　　FLOATED？
　　Why，ofcourseshedid。Ifyoutakeahundredandfiftypeopleoffasteamerthathassunk，andifyougetamanasshrewdasMr。Smithtoplugthetimberseamswithmalletandmarline，andifyouturntenbandsmenoftheMariposabandontoyourhandpumponthebowofthelowerdecks——float？why，whatelsecanshedo？
　　Then，ifyoustuffinhemlockintotheembersofthefirethatyouwererakingout，tillithumsandcracklesundertheboiler，itwon’tbelongbeforeyouhearthepropellerthudthuddingatthesternagain，andbeforethelongroarofthesteamwhistleechoesovertothetown。
　　AndsotheMariposaBelle，withallsteamupagainandwiththelongtrainofsparkscareeringfromthefunnel，isheadingforthetown。
　　ButnoChristieJohnsonatthewheelinthepilothousethistime。
　　"Smith！GetSmith！"isthecry。
　　Canhetakeherin？Well，now！AskamanwhohashadsteamerssinkonhiminhalfthelakesfromTemiscamingtotheBay，ifhecantakeherin？AskamanwhohasrunaYorkboatdowntherapidsoftheMoosewhentheiceismoving，ifhecangripthesteeringwheeloftheMariposaBelle？Sothereshesteamssafeandsoundtothetownwharf！
　　Lookatthelightsandthecrowd！Ifonlythefederalcensustakercouldcountusnow！Hearthemcallingandshoutingbackandforwardfromthedecktotheshore！Listen！Thereistherattleoftheshoreropesastheygetthemready，andthere’stheMariposaband，——actuallyforminginacircleontheupperdeckjustasshedocks，andtheleaderwithhisbaton，——one——two——readynow，——
　　"OCAN—A—DA！"
　　FOUR
　　TheMinistrationsoftheRev。Mr。DroneTheChurchofEnglandinMariposaisonasidestreet，wherethemapletreesarethickest，alittleupthehillfromtheheartofthetown。Thetreesabovethechurchandthegrassplotthatwasoncethecemetery，tilltheymadethenewone（theNecropolis，overthebrowofthehill），filloutthewholecorner。Downbehindthechurch，withonlythedrivingshedandalanebetween，istherectory。Itisalittlebrickhousewithoddangles。Thereisahedgeandalittlegate，andaweepingashtreewithredberries。
　　Atthesideoftherectory，churchward，isalittlegrasslawnwithlowhedgesandatthesideofthattwowildplumtrees，thatarepracticallyalwaysinwhiteblossom。Underneaththemisarustictableandchairs，anditisherethatyoumayseeRuralDeanDrone，theincumbentoftheChurchofEnglandChurch，sitting，inthechequeredlightoftheplumtressthatisneithersunnorshadow。
　　Generallyyouwillfindhimreading，andwhenItellyouthatattheendofthegrassplotwherethehedgeishighestthereisayellowbeehivewithsevenbeesthatbelongtoDeanDrone，youwillrealizethatitisonlyfittingthattheDeanisreadingintheGreek。Forwhatbettercouldamanbereadingbeneaththeblossomoftheplumtrees，withintheverysoundofthebees，thanthePastoralsofTheocritus？Thelighttrashofmodernromancemightputamantosleepinsuchaspot，butwithsuchfoodforreflectionasTheocritus，amanmaysafelyclosehiseyesandmuseonwhathereadswithoutfearofdroppingintoslumber。
　　Somemen，Isuppose，terminatetheireducationwhentheyleavetheircollege。NotsoDeanDrone。Ihaveoftenheardhimsaythatifhecouldn’ttakeabookintheGreekoutonthelawninasparehalfhour，hewouldfeellost。It’sacertainactivityofthebrainthatmustbestilledsomehow。TheDean，too，seemedtohaveanativefeelingfortheGreeklanguage。Ihaveoftenheardpeoplewhomightsitwithhimonthelawn，askhimtotranslatesomeofit。Buthealwaysrefused。Onecouldn’ttranslateit，hesaid。Itlostsomuchinthetranslationthatitwasbetternottotry。Itwasfarwisernottoattemptit。Ifyouundertooktotranslateit，therewassomethinggone，somethingmissingimmediately。Ibelievethatmanyclassicalscholarsfeelthisway，andliketoreadtheGreekjustasitis，withoutthehazardoftryingtoputitintosopooramediumasEnglish。SothatwhenDeanDronesaidthathesimplycouldn’ttranslateit，Ibelievehewasperfectlysincere。
　　Sometimes，indeed，hewouldreaditaloud。Thatwasanothermatter。
　　Whenever，forexample，Dr。Gallagher——Imean，ofcourse，oldDr。
　　Gallagher，nottheyoungdoctor（whowasalwaysoutinthecountryintheafternoon）——wouldcomeoverandbringhislatestIndianrelicstoshowtotheDean，thelatteralwaysreadtohimapassageortwo。
　　Assoonasthedoctorlaidhistomahawkonthetable，theDeanwouldreachforhisTheocritus。IrememberthatonthedaywhenDr。
　　GallagherbroughtovertheIndianskullthattheyhaddugoutoftherailwayembankment，andplaceditontherustictable，theDeanreadtohimsolongfromTheocritusthatthedoctor，Itrulybelieve，dozedoffinhischair。TheDeanhadtowaitandfoldhishandswiththebookacrosshisknee，andclosehiseyestillthedoctorshouldwakeupagain。Andtheskullwasonthetablebetweenthem，andfromabovetheplumblossomsfluttereddown，tilltheymadeflakesonitaswhiteasDr。Gallagher’shair。
　　Idon’twantyoutosupposethattheRev。Mr。Dronespentthewholeofhistimeunderthetrees。Notatall。Inpointoffact，therector’slifewasoneroundofactivitywhichliehimselfmightdeplorebutwaspowerlesstoprevent。Hehadhardlysatdownbeneaththetreesofanafternoonafterhismid—daymealwhentherewastheInfantClassatthree，andafterthat，withscarcelyanhourbetween，theMothers’Auxiliaryatfive，andthenextmorningtheBookClub，andthateveningtheBibleStudyClass，andthenextmorningtheEarlyWorkers’Guildateleven—thirty。Thewholeweekwaslikethat，andifonefoundtimetositdownforanhourorsotorecuperateitwasthemostonecoulddo。Afterall，ifabusymanspendsthelittlebitofleisurethathegetsinadvancedclassicalstudy，thereissurelynoharminit。Isuppose，takeitallinall，therewasn’tabusiermanthantheRuralDeanamongtheAnglicanclergyofthediocese。
　　IftheDeaneverdidsnatchahalf—dayfromhisincessantwork，hespentitinfishing。Butnotalwaysthat，foraslikelyasnot，insteadoftakingarealholidayhewouldputinthewholeafternoonamusingthechildrenandtheboysthatheknew，bymakingkitesandtoysandclockworksteamboatsforthem。
　　ItwasfortunatefortheDeanthathehadthestrangeinterestandaptitudeformechanicaladviceswhichhepossessed，orotherwisethiskindofthingwouldhavebeentoocruelanimposition。ButtheRev。
　　Mr。Dronehadacuriouslikingformachinery。IthinkIneverheardhimpreachabettersermonthantheoneonAeroplanes（Lo，whatnowseeyouonhighJeremiahTwo）。
　　SoitwasthathespenttwowholedaysmakingakitewithChinesewingsforTeddyMoore，thephotographer’sson，andcloseddowntheinfantclassforforty—eighthourssothatTeddyMooreshouldnotmissthepleasureofflyingit，orratherseeingitflown。ItisfoolishtotrustaChinesekitetothehandsofayoungchild。
　　InthesamewaytheDeanmadeamechanicaltopforlittleMarjorieTrewlaney，thecripple，toseespun：itwouldhavebeenunwisetoallowtheafflictedgirltospinit。TherewasnoendtothethingsthatMr。Dronecouldmake，andalwaysforthechildren。Evenwhenhewasmakingthesand—clockforpoorlittleWillieYodel（whodied，youknow）theDeanwentrightonwithitandgaveittoanotherchildwithjustthesamepleasure。Death，youknow，totheclergyisadifferentthingfromwhatitistous。TheDeanandMr。Ginghamusedoftentospeakofitastheywalkedthroughthelonggrassofthenewcemetery，theNecropolis。AndwhenyourSundaywalkistoyourwife’sgrave，astheDean’swas，perhapsitseemsdifferenttoanybody。
　　TheChurchofEnglandChurch，Isaid;stoodclosetotherectory，atall，sweepingchurch，andinsideagreatreachofpolishedcedarbeamsthatrantothepointoftheroof。Thereusedtostandonthesamespotthelittlestonechurchthatallthegrown—uppeopleinMariposastillremember，aquaintlittlebuildinginredandgreystone。Aboutitwastheoldcemetery，butthatwasallsmoothedoutlaterintothegrassplotroundthenewchurch，andtheheadstoneslaidoutflat，andnonewgraveshavebeenputthereforeversolong。ButtheMariposachildrenstillwalkroundandreadtheheadstoneslyingflatinthegrassandlookfortheoldones，——
　　becausesomeofthemareeversoold——fortyorfiftyyearsback。
　　NorareyoutothinkfromallthisthattheDeanwasnotamanwithseriousperplexities。Youcouldeasilyconvinceyourselfofthecontrary。ForifyouwatchedtheRev。Mr。DroneashesatreadingintheGreek，youwouldnoticethatnoverylongperiodeverypassedwithouthistakingupasheetortwoofpaperthatlaybetweentheleavesoftheTheocritusandthatwerecoveredclosewithfigures。
　　AndthesetheDeanwouldlayupontherustictable，andhewouldaddthemupforwardsandbackwards，goingfirstupthecolumnandthendownittoseethatnothinghadbeenleftout，andthendownitagaintoseewhatitwasthatmusthavebeenleftout。
　　Mathematics，youwillunderstand，werenottheDean’sforte。TheyneverweretheforteofthemenwhohadbeentrainedatthelittleAnglicancollegewiththeclippedhedgesandthecricketground，whereRupertDronehadtakenthegoldmedalinGreekfifty—twoyearsago。Youwillseethemedalatanytimelyingthereinitsopenboxontherectorytable，incaseofimmediateneed。AnyoftheDronegirls，Lilian，orJocelyn，orTheodora，wouldshowittoyou。But，asIsay，mathematicswerenottherector’sforte，andheblamedforit（inaChristianspirit，youwillunderstand）thememoryofhismathematicalprofessor，andoftenhespokewithgreatbitterness。I
　　haveoftenheardhimsaythatinhisopinionthecollegesoughttodismiss，ofcourseinaChristianspirit，alltheprofessorswhoarenot，inthemostreverentialsenseoftheterm，fitfortheirjobs。
　　NodoubtmanyoftheclergyofthediocesehadsufferedmoreorlessjustastheDeanhadfromlackofmathematicaltraining。ButtheDeanalwaysfeltthathisowncasewasespeciallytobelamented。Foryousee，ifamanistryingtomakeamodelaeroplane——forapoorfamilyinthelowerpartofthetown——andheisbroughttoastopbytheneedofreckoningthecoefficientoftorsionofcast—ironrods，itshowsplainlyenoughthatthecollegesarenottrulyfillingtheirdivinemission。
　　ButthefiguresthatIspeakofwerenotthoseofthemodelaeroplane。Thesewerefarmoreserious。Nightanddaytheyhadbeenwiththerectornowforthebestpartoftenyears，andtheygrew，ifanything，moreintricate。
　　If，forexample，youtrytoreckonthedebtofachurch——alargechurchwithagreatsweepofpolishedcedarbeamsinside，forthespecialglorificationoftheAllPowerful，andwithimportedtilesontheroofforthegreatergloryofHeavenandwithstained—glasswindowsfortheexaltationoftheAllSeeing——if，Isay，youtrytoreckonupthedebtonsuchachurchandfigureoutitsinterestanditspresentworth，lessafixedannualpayment，itmakesaprettycomplicatedsum。Thenifyoutrytoaddtothistheannualcostofinsurance，anddeductfromitthree—quartersofastipend，yearbyyear，andthensuddenlyrememberthatthree—quartersistoomuch，becauseyouhaveforgottentheboarding—schoolfeesofthelittlestoftheDrones（includingFrench，asanextra——shemusthaveit，alltheoldergirlsdid），youhavegotasumthatprettywelldefiesordinaryarithmetic。TheprovokingpartofitwasthattheDeanknewperfectlywellthatwiththehelpoflogarithmshecouldhavedonethethinginamoment。ButattheAnglicancollegetheyhadstoppedshortatthatveryplaceinthebook。TheyhadsimplyexplainedthatLogoswasawordandArithmosanumber，whichatthetime，seemedamplysufficient。
　　SotheDeanwasperpetuallytakingouthissheetsoffigures，andaddingthemupwardsanddownwards，andtheynevercamethesame。VeryoftenMr。Gingham，whowasawarden，wouldcomeandsitbesidetherectorandponderoverthefigures，andMr。Dronewouldexplainthatwithabookoflogarithmsyoucouldworkitoutinamoment。Youwouldsimplyopenthebookandrunyourfingerupthecolumns（heillustratedexactlythewayinwhichthefingerwasmoved），andthereyouwere。Mr。Ginghamsaidthatitwasacaution，andthatlogarithms（Iquotehisexactphrase）mustbeaterror。
　　Veryoften，too，Nivens，thelawyer，whowasasidesman，andMullins，themanageroftheExchangeBank，whowasthechairmanofthevestry，wouldcomeandtakealook，atthefigures。Buttheynevercouldmakemuchofthem，becausethestipendpartwasnotamatterthatonecoulddiscuss。
　　Mullinswouldnoticetheitemforahundreddollarsdueonfireinsuranceandwouldsay;asabusinessman，thatsurelythatcouldn’tbefireinsurance，andtheDeanwouldsaysurelynot，andchangeit：
　　andMullinswouldsaysurelytherecouldn’tbefiftydollarsfortaxes，becausethereweren’tanytaxes，andtheDeanwouldadmitthatofcourseitcouldn’tbeforthetaxes。Infact，thetruthisthattheDean’sfigureswerebadlymixed，andthefaultlayindubitablywiththemathematicalprofessoroftwogenerationsback。
　　ItwasalwaysMullins’sintentionsomedaytolookintothefinancesofthechurch，themoresoashisfatherhadbeenwithDeanDroneatthelittleAnglicancollegewiththecricketground。Buthewasabusyman。Asheexplainedtotherectorhimself，thebankingbusinessnowadaysisgettingtobesuchthatabankercanhardlycallevenhisSundaymorningshisown。CertainlyHenryMullinscouldnot。TheybelongedlargelytoSmith’sHotel，andduringthefishingseasontheybelongedawaydownthelake，sofarawaythatpracticallynoone，unlessitwasGeorgeDuffoftheCommercialBank，couldseethem。