He knew, also, that the immense quantity of water that appeared to be falling, would cause the river to rise to a considerable height by morning, and make it very dangerous even for a strong man to attempt to cross it.

The thought of what might befall his child caused Mr. Bishop to pass a sleepless night; for although he was very strict with his children, he possessed an affectionate nature and loved them dearly.

The day dawned; the storm had ceased; the wind was still, and nothing was to be heard but the roar of the river.

The rise of the river was even greater than Mr. Bishop expected, and as soon as it was light enough, for him to see objects across it, he took up a position on the bank to watch for the approach of his son.

James arrived on the opposite shore at the same time, and his horse was beginning to enter the stream.

All his father’s feelings were roused into action, for he knew that his son was in fearful danger.  James had already proceeded too far to return—­in fact, to go forward or back was equally dangerous.

His horse had arrived at the deepest part of the river, and was struggling against the current.  The animal was being hurried down the stream, and apparently making but little progress toward the shore.

James became very much alarmed.  Raising his eyes toward the landing-place, he discovered his father.  Almost frantic with fear, he exclaimed, “O father, father!  I shall drown!  I shall drown!”

“No,” replied his father, in a stern and resolute tone of voice, dismissing for a moment his feelings of tenderness; “if you do, I will whip you severely.  Cling to your horse!  Cling to your horse!”

The son, who feared his father more than he did the raging river, obeyed the command; and the noble animal on which he was mounted, struggling for some time, carried him safe to shore.

“My son!” exclaimed the glad father, bursting into tears, “remember, hereafter, that in danger you must possess courage, and being determined to save your life, cling to the last hope!

“If I had replied to you with the tenderness and fear which I felt, you might have lost your life; you would have lost your presence of mind, been carried away by the current, and I should have seen you no more.”

What a noble example is this!  The heroism of this father and his presence of mind saved the life of his boy.

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Directions for Reading.—­In calling tones, as on pages 237 and 238, notice that the falling inflections only can be used.[14]

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Language Lesson.—­Let pupils make out an analysis, and use it in telling the story in their own words.

[14] See the last six paragraphs.

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LESSON LI.