Part 34 (2/2)
”They won't come.”
”Why? Are they drowned out?”
”No; the town is high enough so they will not suffer much of any damage, except as the water gets into their cellars. No; they are all right. I wish we were as much so, but there'll be no use in giving a show this afternoon.”
”Wait a minute,” spoke up Phil, raising one hand while he considered briefly.
”Of course, you have an idea. It wouldn't be you if you hadn't.
But I am afraid that, this time, you will fall short of the mark.”
”No, not if you will let me carry out a little plan.”
”What is it?”
”When I came over I noticed a strip of ground just a few rods to the north of the lot, and running right into it, that was higher than the flats. It was a sort of ridge and fairly level on top.”
”I didn't see that.”
”I did. It was showing above the water a few inches and looked like hard ground. If you don't mind getting wet I'll take you over and point it out.”
The showman agreed, though as yet he did not understand what Phil's plan was.
Phil led the way to the north side of the lot, then turning sharply to the left after getting his bearings, walked confidently out into the water followed by Mr. Sparling.
The ground felt firm beneath their feet. As a matter of fact it was a stratum of rock running out from the nearby mountains.
”Boy, you've struck a way for us to get out when time comes for us to do so. That mud on the flats will be so soft, for several days, that the wheels would sink in up to the hubs. The stock would get mired now, were they to try to go through.”
”But not here.”
”No; I rather think that's so. What's your plan?”
”We have plenty of wagons that are not in use--take for instance the pole wagons. Why not send our wagons over to the village and bring the people here? I am sure they will enjoy that,”
suggested Phil.
”Splendid,” glowed the showman. ”But I'm afraid the horses never would be able to pull them over.”
”Think not?”
”I said I was afraid they would not be able to.”
”I had considered that, sir.”
”Oh, you had?”
”Yes.”
”Of course, I might have known you had. Well, what is it?”
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