New National Fourth Reader Part 64

Directions for Reading.--Point out the _emphatic words_ and mark _inflection_ in the third paragraph on page 295.[17]

What effect has very strong _emphasis_ upon _inflection_? (See _Directions for Reading_, page 238.)[18]

Should this lesson be read more slowly, or somewhat faster than conversation?

Language Lesson.--Let pupils fill blanks in the sentences given below, using in turn, each of the following sets of words:

(1) _saw, knew, was, plunged;_

(2) _sees, knows, is, plunges;_

(3) _perceived, thought, was, jumped;_

(4) _perceives, thinks, is, jumps;_

(5) _noticed, concluded, was, dived;_

(6) _notices, concludes, is, dives_.

He ---- in the water a white object, which he ---- -- the boy's dress.

Then he ---- into the roaring rapids.

When the first, third, and fifth sets of words are used, the action is represented as something that is past; but when the second, fourth, and sixth sets are used, the action is represented as going on at the present time.

The forms of _verbs_ (_action-words_) which are given in the first, third, and fifth sets are used to indicate past time, and are called _past tenses_; and the forms given in the second, fourth, and sixth sets are used to indicate present time, and are called _present tenses_.

[17] See fifth paragraph from the end of the pa.s.sage.

[18] See Lesson L.

LESSON LXII.

e merge', _come out_.

vor'tex, _water in whirling motion; a whirlpool_.

con fid'ed, _given into the care of_.

vis'i ble, _in sight_.

spec ta'tors, _those who look on_.

vent'ured, _dared_.

re ward', _that which is received in return for one's acts_.

des'ti nies, _lives and fortunes_.

sup pressed', _kept back_.

re doub'led, _made twice as great_.

ANECDOTE OF WAs.h.i.+NGTON.

PART II.

O, how that mother's straining eyes followed the struggling youth! How her heart sunk when he went under, and with what joy she saw him emerge again from the waters, and, flinging the waves aside with his strong arms, struggle on in pursuit of her boy!

But it seemed as if his generous efforts were not to succeed; for, though the current was bearing off the boy before his eyes, scarcely ten feet distant, he could not overtake the drowning child.

Twice the boy went out of sight; and a suppressed shriek escaped the mother's lips; but twice he reappeared, and then, with hands wrung wildly together, and breathless anxiety, she followed his progress, as his form was hurried onward.

The youth now appeared to redouble his exertions, for they were approaching the most dangerous part of the river.

The rush of waters at this spot was tremendous, and no one ventured to approach it, even in a canoe, lest he should be dashed to pieces.

What, then, would be the youth's fate, unless he soon overtook the child? He seemed fully sensible of the increasing peril, and now urged his way through the foaming current with a desperate strength. Three times he was on the point of grasping the child, when the water's whirled the prize from him.

The third effort was made just as they were entering within the influence of the current above the falls; and when it failed, the mother's heart sunk within her, and she groaned, fully expecting the youth to give up his task.

But no; he only pressed forward the more eagerly; and, as they breathlessly watched, amid the boiling waters, they saw the form of the youth following close after that of the boy.

And now both pursuer and pursued shot to the brink of the falls. An instant they hung there, distinctly visible amid the foaming waters.

Every brain grew dizzy at the sight.

But a shout burst from the spectators, when they saw the child held aloft by the right arm of the youth--a shout that was suddenly changed to a cry of horror, when they both vanished into the raging waters below!

The mother ran forward, and then stood gazing with fixed eyes at the foot of the falls. Suddenly she gave the glad cry, "There they are! See!