slowly and feebly, and every foot which the boat made across, it descended as much down the river.  Arthur had been desired to land de Lescure on the island, and another boat had been sent round to be ready to take him at once from thence to the other shore; but when he found that they were unintentionally so near the lower end of the island, it occurred to him that it would save them all much pain and trouble, if he were to run round it, and land them at once on the opposite shore; they would in this way have to make a considerably longer journey, but then de Lescure would be spared the pain of so many different movements.

Madame de Lescure immediately jumped at the proposal.  “For heaven’s sake, Arthur, do so, if it be possible,” said she; “it will be the greatest relief.  I do not think we should ever get across to the other boat, if we once leave this.”

Arthur was behind the two men at the oars, who had listened to what had been said, without making any observation, or attempting to alter the destination of the boat; rudder there was none, and the steering, therefore, depended entirely on the rowers.

“Do you hear?” said Arthur, stretching forward and laying his hand on the shoulder of the man who was in front.  “Never mind the island at all; go a little more down the stream, and then we can cross over at once without landing at all.  Do you hear me, friend?” added he, speaking rather hastily, for the boatman took no apparent notice of his instructions.

“We hear you, Monsieur,” said the man, “but it is impossible; we could not do it.”

“Ah, nonsense!” answered the Chevalier:  “not do it—­I say you must do it.  I wonder you should hesitate for a moment, when you know how M. de Lescure is suffering, and how much those ladies have to go through.  Turn the boat down the stream at once, I tell you.”

“It is quite impossible,” said the old man doggedly, and still holding on to his course; “we should only upset the boat and drown you all.  We could never push her through the current on the other side, could we Jean?”

“Quite impossible,” said the other.  “We should only be carried down into the rushes, or else be upset in the stream.”

“Nonsense!” said Arthur.  “What’s to upset you?  At any rate you shall try.”  And he laid his hand on the oar of the man who was nearest to him, but this, instead of having the effect which he desired, turned the nose of the boat the other way.

“For God’s sake, my dear friends, do this favour for us if you can!” said Madame de Lescure.  “It may save the life of my husband, and indeed we will reward you richly for your labour.  Stop, Arthur, don’t use violence; I am sure they will do this kindness for us, if they are able.”