ould a reskeed one, we could a reskeed
all!"

"And where are your other prisoners?" inquired Mr. Berners.

"Some on 'em was drownded, sir, unavoidably. And some on 'em we reskeed
by taking of 'em through the windows, and on to the boat; but Lord love
you, sir, they give us leg bail the first chance they got; which who
could blame them? Most on them as we reskeed has made off up the
mountain, sir; and little use it would be to try to catch them, sir,
even if we succeeded, seeing as we have got no place to lock 'em up. And
as for me, my 'okkerpation's gone,' as the man says in the play! But
I'm not thinking of myself, sir. I'm mortal sorry for the poor wretches
called so sudden to their accounts," added the warden, brushing the
tears from his eyes with the sleeve of his coat.

"Come, Martin," said Mr. Berners, who, even in the midst of his own
despair, could not forget the claims of humanity--"Come, Martin! You and
your companions in misfortune cannot sit here longer without great
danger to health and life! You must get up and come away. The road,
though very difficult, is passable, you see, since we come by it. Come
away!"

"Come where? To the alms-house, I suppose," groaned the warden, dropping
his head in his hands.

"My poor fellow, the alms-house has gone with the rest. There is no
alms-house now."

"Then we may as well stay here and die; for there is no other place for
us to go," groaned the ruined man.

"There are half a hundred places to go to. Every house that has been
spared by the flood has, in gratitude to Heaven, opened its doors to
receive those who are rendered homeless by this disaster. Come, my good
friend; come with your companions to the village hotel. A number of us
who have lost no property by the flood, have already clubbed together
for the relief of those who have lost all. Come! if you sit here longer
you will surely catch your death."

The warden arose with a groan; and his example was followed by all his
comrades.

"My dear Beatrix, take my arm," said Mr. Berners, helping Miss Pendleton
to rise.

"My brother! Where is my brother? He was far enough off to be safe from
the flood; but why is he not here now."

"My dear Beatrix, he could not possibly get here yet. As soon as the
water shall have settled he will come, no doubt," said Mr. Berners, as
he led her down the hill towards the village.

The road was very bad. In some places it was nearly half a leg deep in
pools of water, or