ome up! come up!" he shouted to Harry and Reggy; "you will be safe
enough here."

"You had better come down and get up that tree," answered Harry,
pointing to one which stood on ground of the same level as the house,
and but a short distance from it.

Besides its trunk there were the numerous pendants, which had struck
down and taken root, so that it was more likely to resist the torrent
than any other of the trees near.

Hector, however, was obstinate. He was confident that he was safe, at
all events for the present, and thought he should remain so.

"I should grow giddy if I were to climb up into such a tree as that," he
answered; "Reggy, you may go if you like, but I'll stay here."

Harry, who carried the ladder, placed it against the tree, which reached
sufficiently high to enable them to get hold of one of the lower
branches, by which they could hoist themselves higher. Harry, however,
had no intention of going up until it became absolutely necessary.
Still the water rose. It was now sweeping over the ground on which they
stood. Reggy, again entreating Hector to come, rushed up to the tree
and mounted the ladder. Just then the captain and Mr Berrington
appeared in the distance. The roar of the waters prevented their voices
being heard. Their alarm at seeing their boys placed in so perilous a
position was, of course, very great. Harry saw them making signs and
pointing to the tree.

"They want you to do as I advise," shouted Harry. "Come down! come
down!"

Hector felt the house shake, as a surge beat against it larger than any
of its predecessors. He lost confidence in the safety of his position.

"Slip off the roof by the verandah," shouted Harry.

At length, as he saw Harry still standing below him, not being aware
that the water was over his ankles, he slid down.

When Hector discovered that he must jump into the water, he attempted to
climb back again. This, however, from his alarm, and from being
unaccustomed to climb, was more than he could do, and down he slid,
Harry catching him at the bottom.

"Now run for it!" cried the latter, seizing him by the arm, and they
made towards the ladder, the water hissing and foaming at their heels.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

THE BOYS TAKE REFUGE IN A TREE--THE HOUSE CARRIED AWAY--DESTRUCTION OF
CATTLE--A COW CAUGHT IN THE BOUGHS--A NIGHT UP THE TREE--HARRY KEEPS UP
THE SPIRIT OF THE PARTY.

The flood came roaring up, carrying everything in its course o