and as far as they could see ahead it broadened considerably on this
side of the Lumano. But the hills arose abruptly on the farther bank
and all the force and mass of the flood must sweep across these
meadows.

As the car moved on, Helen tooted the horn constantly. Its blasts
alone should have warned people of what threatened, without Tom's
frantic shouts and gesticulations. They were obliged, however, to slow
down before several houses to make the occupants understand their
danger.

They were not half way to the Red Mill when the roar of the advancing
tidal wave was apparent even above the noise of the auto. Then they
saw the crest of the flood appear around the bend and the already
heavily burdened waters dashed themselves upon the toll-bridge. It
crumpled up and disappeared like a spider-web bridge, and the flood
rolled on, the wave widening and overflowing the lowlands behind the
automobile.

Ahead of them now upon the road there was a single foot-passenger-- a
man carrying a heavy basket. He seemed so far from the higher ground,
and so determined to keep to the road, that Ruth cried out and laid
her hand upon Helen's arm. The latter nodded and shut off the engine
so that the automobile ran down and almost stopped by this pedestrian.

"Here, you!" shouted Tom, from the tonneau. "Get in here quick!
There's no time to lose!"

Much of what he said was lost in the roaring of the waters; but the
fellow understood him well enough, and scrambled into the car with his