United States or South Sudan ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !


The floor was somewhat higher, so that it would not damage that much should the flood cease to rise when it got thus far. But would it cease? was the question. If it once began to beat against the walls of the house, would they stand? Reggy proposed climbing up to the roof by means of the ladder. "That would be a place of very doubtful safety," said Harry.

"Why?" asked Reggy. "Because I see no cockatoos, laughing jackasses, or other birds flying about. If there were water they would be there." Paul's fears were realised there was not a drop of water in the hole. "Patience," cried Paul; "we shall probably fall in with another before night."

Bendigo, knowing that they would camp there, dismounted, and hobbled his horse. They then saw him narrowly examining a tall gum-tree, up to which he had ridden. It must have been a hundred feet in height before any branches were reached. "If he sees anything up there it will be of little use," observed Reggy, "for I am sure he will never get it."

This somewhat consoled Hector, who had hitherto declared that he could never touch such doughy stuff, although he ate his share eagerly, as did Reggy his. "It may be a satisfaction for you to know that I have got some more," said Harry; "but it won't do to eat them all up at once; we must put ourselves on an allowance, or we may have to starve at last. Now let us see how things are getting along."

"Why, if you've got thus far, why can't you wade back again?" asked Harry. "There are some horrid creatures sticking to me, and I don't know what they will do," cried Hector. Harry and Reggy, caring nothing for the wetting, plunged in, and soon helped Hector back on to dry ground.

The boys were on the point of throwing off their clothes to plunge in, when Harry exclaimed, "Hark! what's that sound?" "It is like distant thunder," answered Reggy. "It can't be thunder, there's not a cloud in the sky," replied Harry. "It seems to me to be coming right down the river.

Braith took it all as a matter of course, but this time failed to return as good as they gave. He took a seat beside Gethryn and said in a low tone: "I've just come from your house. There's a letter from the Salon in your box." Gethryn set down his wine untasted and reached for his hat. "What's the matter, Reggy? Has Lisette gone back on you?" asked Clifford, tenderly.

Harry returned again to the end of the branch, and found that his father and uncle had gone away to look after the party on the hill. Harry now proposed that they should get higher up, for the water had already risen several feet above the ground, and might in a short time be up to the branch in which they sat. Higher and higher they got. "When is it going to stop?" cried Reggy.

Fortunately the leeches were wiped off poor Hector's body before they had time to extract much of his blood. Although he declared that he felt very faint he soon recovered, and being attended to by Reggy and Harry, put on his clothes, vowing that it should be the last time he would ever bathe in that detestable country. "All water-holes have not got leeches in them," observed Harry.

Paul had a piece of linen through which he strained the water from one pannikin to another, then handed it to Harry, who carried it to their tutor before he would touch any himself. Reggy was next served, then Harry, and Paul drank last. How delicious the liquid tasted. "I could drink a dozen pannikins full," said Harry, as he drained off a second.