Leslie Ross Part 9

"You and Maud must get up directly, the river has overflown, and the house is surrounded by water; make haste or it will be too late, it has already reached the landing."

"Wait one moment, Leslie, I will procure a light--the water has invaded my room, I feel the carpet is soaked."

Sooner than Leslie could have thought possible, Mrs Price had dressed herself and Maud, and appeared pale and anxious at her chamber door.

"Why, child, you are not dressed."

"I had not time, the danger was too great."

"Here, carry Maud up into your room, while I wake the servants."

"Don't be long, mamma dear," cried Maud, greatly terrified.

"No, darling. Hold this light, while Leslie carries you."

Leslie had to put forth all his strength to carry his precious burden, yet he contrived to whisper to her not to fear, for he would protect her. But they were both much frightened when they looked over the bannisters and saw the eddying and whirling water.

"You are all wet, Leslie!" said Mrs Price as she left him with Maud in his arms.

"Yes, I fell in coming down."

Maud was safely conveyed to his room, where he wrapped her round in a blanket which he took from his bed, he then hastily dressed himself so as to be in readiness for any emergency that might arise.

Mrs Price soon joined them with the terrified servants, whose pale faces and trembling bodies almost made Maud cry, but with her mamma's arms around her her fears were soon quieted.

"Thank G.o.d we are all safe," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Mrs Price.

"Yes, at present," said Leslie; "but I wish daylight was here so that we could understand what our position really is."

"The house is strong, Leslie, I don't think we can be washed away,"

said Mrs Price.

"Listen, mamma, what a noise the water makes!"

"Yes, darling, but it shall not hurt you."

"I will go and ascertain whether it is still rising," said Leslie, taking one of the candles and leaving the room.

He found the water rising fast, and felt that they must make their way to the attics if they did not wish to be swamped. He hurried back with the dismal intelligence, and Mrs Price immediately acted upon his advice, and the whole party were soon a.s.sembled in the top-most room of the house.

"We can go no higher," said Mrs Price; "but, children, let us pray to G.o.d for help."

They all knelt down, and in earnest tones and very fervent words, Mrs Price implored help from the great Helper of all mankind, in their time of peril and danger. When they arose from their knees, the little party felt more strengthened and hopeful. What a refuge G.o.d is in times of peril. Will my young readers remember this?

The time pa.s.sed slowly away; the terror of the little party was every moment increased by the loud tumult of the water, and the terrible shocks which the house every instant received, as some large substance was hurled against it; they began to be afraid that it would not stand; that the waters would wash it away. As this fear gained ascendency, they longed more than ever for daylight to appear, that they might fully realize their position.

"With daylight, help must come," said Mrs Price, trying to soothe Maud, who was crying, "for many must know of our danger."

Leslie did his utmost to quiet his own fears, and infuse hope into the hearts of the rest; he tried to be brave and cheerful; and many times during that dreadful night Mrs Price admired the boy, and blessed him for his faithfulness and courage; and afterwards she said, it was him alone that kept them from utter despair.

Daylight at length came, but it only served to reveal the hopelessness of their situation. From the window of their refuge nothing was to be seen but a turbulent ma.s.s of heaving and seething water, in which uprooted trees were being tossed about, the thatched roofs of cottages, and pieces of household furniture; now and then the drowned carcase of a pig or sheep would float in sight; but look where they might, or in whatsoever direction, nothing but desolation met their view. The little party looked into each other's eyes to see only the reflection of their own despair.

"Look out, Leslie," said Mrs Price, "and see if any help is approaching."

"I cannot see a living creature in sight in any direction," said Leslie, after a long and anxious gaze.

"G.o.d help us!" murmured the anxious mother, pressing her daughter closer to her bosom.

Oh how powerless Leslie felt, that he could not effectually help Maud and her mother, that he could not rescue them from danger, and place them in some safe retreat.

"What is that, Leslie?" cried Mrs Price, as the house received a violent shock.

"A large tree, ma'am," said Leslie, looking out.

"I am fearful the house will not stand; is the water subsiding?"

Leslie shook his head; the water had risen so as to be but a few feet from their last refuge.

Suddenly Leslie gave a cry; he had been leaning out of the window, and an object caught his eye as it floated and drifted on the water.

"What is it, Leslie--help?" inquired Mrs Price.

"One of the school boats, ma'am; if it would only float close to the window we might all get into it, for the house is terribly shaken."

"Pray G.o.d that it may!" was the fervent e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n.

Leslie intently watched the progress of the boat, as the waters tossed it hither and thither; at one moment he believed it would float quite near, and then again his hopes were dashed, as it was whirled in another direction. At length, after his hopes had been alternately raised and dashed for many times, to his consternation he found it would pa.s.s the house a dozen yards distant. What could be done? It seemed their only hope from destruction. How could it be reached and entered? The distance was not great; should he swim to it? He looked at Mrs Price and Maud, and nerved his heart to the task.

"What are you about, Leslie?" cried Mrs Price, as she saw him climbing on to the window sill.

"I am going to swim to the boat."

"My child, you must not; the risk is too great!"

"Have no fear, ma'am, it is for your sake and Maud's," replied Leslie; and without further words, he plunged into the water and struck boldly out for the boat.

He found the turbulence of the waters stronger than he antic.i.p.ated, and was compelled to put forth all his strength to prevent being carried away. The lessons he had learnt from Old Crusoe were of good service now. He had to put them all into practical use, or his brave attempt would have ended in death. He gained the boat at last, but he was so exhausted that it was with difficulty he could climb into it, and when he had done so he was obliged to rest himself, to recover a little measure of strength. He found, as he knew he should, the oars safely secured, one to either side of the boat, and by their aid it was not long before he stood beneath the window from which Mrs Price was anxiously watching him.

"Will you place Maud in, while I prevent the boat from knocking against the wall of the house."

Leslie's head was on a level with the window sill, so that it was not far for Maud to be lowered. The feat was successfully accomplished; then Mrs Price turned to her two servants, desiring them to enter first.

"Make haste," said Leslie, for the girls hesitated, "or the boat will be dashed to pieces."

They entered with fear and trembling; Mrs Price was the last to leave the room.

"All safe!" cried Leslie, pushing away the boat.

Mrs Price first wrapped a blanket she had brought with her round Maud, and then, turning to Leslie, seized one of the oars, saying, "I can row."