"
That was a pardonable exaggeration, but the _Kansas_ was certainly
moving. They could see the white foam churned up by her propeller.
With one accord they cheered madly, and the oars, double-handed now,
tore the life-boat onward at a pace which outstripped even the shallow
canoes.
Then the Indians did a wise thing. They spared many of their own
lives, and, perchance others of greater value to the world, by ceasing
to paddle. The unlooked-for interference of the great vessel was too
much for them. They merely stared and cackled in amaze, while the
small flotilla dashed towards the towering black hull, and Boyle
lowered the gangway in readiness to receive the captain, his bride
elect, and a good half of the passengers and crew.
Courtenay lost not an instant of favoring tide and fine weather. When
Boyle told him that Walker could work the engines under easy steam, he
dashed up to the bridge three steps at a time. With his hand on the
telegraph, he superintended the hoisting on board of the life-boat and
two of the canoes, which he meant to carry away as trophies--be sure
that Elsie's own special craft was one of them.
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