The canoe had almost reached the foot of the rapids, but it went much faster than the Indian, who was still bravely following it.  He had caught hold of one of the paddles, which assisted to support him.  I was now sure that his object was to assist Hugh, for he might, as I have said, by swimming to the rock and clutching it, have secured his own life until he could be taken off by Corney or Pierre.  Hugh still held tight hold of the canoe, which, however, the moment it reached the foot of the rapids, began to drift over to the eastern shore.