Ravenshaw household
passed the night in silence.

And still the waters of the Red River continued to rise--slowly, it is
true, and inch by inch instead of foot by foot--until these settlers in
the great wilderness began to think, with something akin to
superstitious fear, of that mighty deluge which had been sent to
submerge the world in the days of old.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

OLD RAVENSHAW GOES EXPLORING AND RESCUING.

Another fine calm day came to comfort the victims of the flood in the
midst of that tempestuous time, with its April character of mingled
storm and sunshine. The rise in the water on the previous night had
been almost imperceptible. Feeling, therefore, somewhat easier in his
mind, old Mr Ravenshaw determined to embark in his boat for the purpose
of paying a visit to those unfortunates who, after being driven from
their homes, had taken refuge on the imperceptible eminence which had
been styled "The Mountain." Taking with him Lambert and a stout crew,
he embarked from his upper bedroom window, bade his wife and daughters
an affectionate adieu, hoisted his sail, and pushed off.

The hoisting of the sail was a mere matter of form.

"It's of no use at present, but will be ready to catch the first puff
that may favour us," observed the old gentleman, as he sat down and took
the tiller. "Give way, lads."

The oars were dipped, and the Willow Creek mansion was soon but a speck
on the horizon of the watery waste.

And now the old fur-trader learned the full extent of the desolation
with which it had pleased God to visit the settlement at that time.
While taken up with the cares and anxieties connected with Willow Creek,
he was of course aware that terrible destruction, if not death, must
have been going on around him; but now, when he rowed over the plains,
saw the state of things with his own eyes, and heard the accounts of
many settlers, some of whom he rescued from positions of danger, the
full extent of the damage done by the great flood of 1826 was borne
powerfully in upon his mind.

The varied stories which some had to tell of their escapes, others of
their losses, and all, of their sufferings, were sad as well as
interesting. Some of the people had taken shelter in garrets or on
stages, where they had to wait anxiously till some boat or canoe should
turn up to rescue them. Some had been surprised by the sudden rise of
the flood at night while asleep, and had wakened to find themselves an