Although they were several miles down the valley, the thunder of the
bursting masonry now echoed in their ears. And up from the bottom of
the wall, near its center, a great geyser spouted. In a moment the
wall crumbled and they saw tons upon tons of the masonry melt away.
The waters of the pond burst through in a solid flood and charged down
the valley, spreading wider and wider as it charged on, and bearing
upon its crest every light and unstable structure found in its path.

It was a startling-- a terrifying sight. No wonder the two girls cried
out in alarm and clung together. The sight of the charging flood
fascinated them.

But then they were aroused-- and that within the first half minute of
their terror-- by Tom. He was trying, crippled as he was, to climb
over into their seat.

"What are you doing, you foolish boy?" cried Helen. "Sit down."

"We've got to get out of here!" muttered the excited youth.

"Why, we are safe here. The water will never rise to this height."

"I know it! I know it!" groaned Tom, falling back in his seat and
paling because of the pain from his arm, which he had twisted. "But
don't you see? There are many down the valley who won't know of this
until too late. Why, they can't see it at the bridge-- at Culm Falls--
until the flood is right upon them."

"It's true!" gasped Helen. "What shall we do?"