"Perhaps we could slide down the beams and save him," remarked Pierre.

And they started toward the neighboring roof, when the second house collapsed,
leaving a gap in the route. Then a chill seized us. We mechanically grasped
each other's hands, wringing them cruelly as we watched the harrowing sight.

Cyprien had tried at first to stiffen his body. With extraordinary strength,
he had lifted himself above the water, holding his body in an oblique position.
Rut the strain was too great. Nevertheless, he struggled, tried to reach some
of the beams, felt around him for something to hold to. Then, resigning
himself,
he fell back again, hanging limp.

Death was slow in coming. The water barely covered his hair, and it rose very
gradually. He must have felt its coolness on his brain. A wave wet his brow;
others closed his eyes. Slowly we saw his head disappear.

The women, at our feet, had buried their faces in their clasped hands. We,
ourselves, fell to our knees, our arms outstretched, weeping, stammering
supplications.

On the other roof Aimee, still standing, her children clasped to her bosom,
howled mournfully into the night.

IV.

I know not how long we remained in a stupor after that tragedy. When I came
to, the water had risen. It was now on a level with the tiles. The roof was a
narrow island, emerging from the immense sheet. To the right and the left the