for what you are doing and
one for yon tottering wall."

"Why, master," shouted the north-country man, "I don't see nowt. She'll
stand for long after we are passed away. Aren't this all a skear?"

"No!" cried Willows, fiercely. "The strong dam is wounded, and the
place is bleeding fast. Here, Will," he shouted, "leave that bell!"

"Oh, father," cried the boy, as he ran up, "don't send me away at a time
like this."

"I am not going to, my boy; I want you to be my strong right hand. Now
then, I shall not be with you, so watch for your safety and that of
those who are with you. Take four men, and save the books first, then
the chest, and all you can that is easiest to move. Scatter the things
anywhere that they will lodge, as soon as they are higher than the dam.
Off with you! Work for your lives! One more word of warning! When the
wall goes, if go it does, it will be with one mighty rush, sweeping
everything away. Now, six men with me!"

All the rest rushed to him, and he told off the number he required.

"You others," he cried, "you have heard what I've said. Off with you,
and try to save your most treasured possessions--by _your_, I mean those
of your neighbours and yourselves. At a time like this all must be in
common, as it shall be when, if, please God, we escape, I will try to
make up to you for what you have lost. Off! Now, my lads, every man
lift and bear as big a stone as you can. Follow me!"

The next minute, headed by their chief, a line of men, like ants from a
disturbed hill, were seen staggering beneath their burdens up the rugged
steps to the top of the dam.

"Phew! This here's a heavy one!" panted the north-country man as they
reached the top. "Say, maister, it'll be dangerous to be safe for us if
the wall goes now."

The words were uttered in such a cheery tone, that, in spite of their
peril, a hearty laugh rose from the party, and, as Mr Willows paused
for a moment to gaze downward and see how on both the steep sides of the
valley his commands were being carried out, a grim smile for a moment
relaxed his tightened lips.

"Now," he cried, "do as I do," as he bent himself to his task, and
stepping to the end of the wall where the whirlpool seen first by Will
had begun to look more worthy of its name--for it was three times as
swift and mighty as at its birth--he leaned forward and softly dropped
in the great stone he carried, and stood back to let the others follow
suit.

"I