Part 9 (1/2)
”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.