The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-11-06

roaring Of the thunder, all combined, were
SO entirely overpowering, that the human
voice, at its utmost pitch, failed to be heard
at the distance of twelve or fourteen feet.
In the midst of this uproar, more thar
usually heavy thunder-clap was followed by
sudden and profound calm. The raiI
ceased to fall and the wind to blow. Step.
ping out into the verandah, perceived tha,
the clouds hung motionless, whilst in the
southeastern horizon was clear space,
wherein twinkled a few silvery stars,
The storm rack heaped up in portentous
masses; and fully anticipated more vio.
lent outbreak Of the tempest, thus arrested
as it were in mid-career; but presently the
dark clouds moved back on the track they
had SO long pursued, and, with gradually
accelerated motion, drifted northward. 4
few pale flashes, feebly cleaning from the
gloomy canopy, enabled me to perceive that
some strong force, as yet unfelt on earth
caused the clouds to pursue this retrograde
course. The surcharged masses seemed te
tumble over each other in their flight, and
the bright stars were one by one unveiled
At this moment the scene was sublime.
Presently, a soft breeze from the south
stirred my hair. 1t increased and soon blew
hard-so hard, indeed, that l was glad to
return to my own fire-side, and snugly seat
ed in my easy chair, to listen to its fury.
By degrees, distinguished another sound
so alike and Incorporated with that of the
rushing wind, that, only half convinced,
once more issued into the open air. 1t was
the roaring of the Murrumbidgee River, and
of numerous extemporised feeders, for the
&c bol
porarily converted every gully into torrent
By the light of the stars could perceive
that the stream had overhowed its banks;
but this circumstance created little surprise.
inasmuch as slight foods were of frequent
occurrence in and around Gundagai during
the winter months. l therefore felt nc
alarm, but listened to the song of the turbu-
lent current with positive pleasure. Shortly
afterwards we retired to rest.
l fell into into deep slumber-a perfect
oblivion of the senses. BY sudden transi.
ton, the terrors of the day were repeated
in nv dream, and with increased effect
First dreamed of the deluge. l was
climbing perpendicular rock, and ever as
climbed, the water rose equally, SO that ii
always covered my shoulders. Presently
my muscles relaxed, my nerves failed, lost
my hold and fell-fell-down unmeasured
depths. Then, without warning, was in
the midst of battle field, the rattle of fire.
arms, the dull heavy sound of distant artil-
lery, the shouts of armed men, and the
shrieks of the wounded
At length my wife aroused me. The
sounds of my dream still rang in my ears,
and it was some time before | could COM
prehend matters.
When | became thoroughly conscious,
was alarmed at the extent of our danger
The storm was raging more wildly than
ever, and the rush and roar of mighty wa
ters was added to its other sounds. Hoarse
shouts, too, were mingled with the din; and
cries of distress were borne to our ears.
became aware, too, of u violent knocking at
the door, and a voice exclaiming-
master, master, get up! bequick for any
sake! The waters are out'
did not fully understand this warning,
till, leaping out of my bed, hastily opened
the door, when the whole truth burst upon
me. Far and wide over the township one
vast sheet of water cleaned in the red glare
of the lightning. Many of the houses In
the more immmediatc vicinity of the river
were entirely submerged, and the inhabitants
were flving for dear life-bare head some
others almost destitute of any clothing
Aroused too late to linger one instant lest
destruction should overtake them, were men,
women, and children of tender age, all
heaped together in the storm. At the rear
of the township a little rising ground afforded
comparative security, and there all were
hurrying.
Our cottage, as | have said was built on
piles, and the flower garden was arranged in
the form of a mound, gradually decending
to the roadway. The waters already sur
rounded the house, and reached the level of
yerandah; but there was yet time to escape,
nv friendly monitor averred. How brief
the time was might have guessed, by the
speed wherewith-his warning task per-
formed-he sprang away in the direction
which all were now pursuing. But 1t was
my first experience of an Australian
food.
NV household consisted of Esther, two
children, and domestic named Martha
With the latter slept our little Rose, while
the baby occupied a cot iu our own room.
This much is necessary to enable the reader
to understand what follows.
more calm than had dared to anticipate.-
She had heard and anticipated all, and was
hurriedly dressing. In a few minutes we
were both ready. Truly there was no
time to lose. The floor was already under
water.
As we were passing out my wife suddenly
drew back.
Frank she said, 'where are Rose and
Martha?'
Leaving my wife in the verandah, few
to the servants room, to find it empty. There
was no response to my call, and the light
ming, which revealed the disordered state
of the bed, told that its occupants were
gone.
| searched through every room in valn.-
As was returning to the verandah, the
back door swinging to and fro, arrested my
attention. On examination found that the
wooden bar had been removed, and the key
had been turned in the lock; yet | had my
self secured the fastening on the previous
evening. Evidently they had passed out that
way, but whittier?
Nv search was hasty, for felt the neces-
sity of instantaneous fight; but brief as 1t
was, the water was several inches deep IN
house when my survey was completed. An
other delay occurred from the unwillingness
of Esther to leave the cottage without an
other and more minute search for her child;
at length danger became SO imminent, that,
having ascertained that she held our infant
securely, lifted her in my arms to bear her
to the crowded refuge on the slopes.
When arrived at the bottom OF the gar
den, the water was breast high, and strong
rushing current nearly carried me off my
legs. / made another step or two, and then
l was obliged to acknowledge my inability
to proceed. $780,,
ESTHER, dear, we must RETURN said.
Not word did she utter in reply, as with
a beating heart retraced my steps.
With difficulty we regained the shelter OF
the house. For a time-short indeed-the
bedstead served as platform to keep us
out of the ever rising waters. The desola-
ting storm still ragged. We were surrounded
bv all the horrors OF the Great Delcge, and
our hearts sank within US as we contemplated
our fate. ..............-.
The food was rising, and it became nec-
essary to devise and execute some prompt
plan Of safety and escape. We were impris-
oned in the cottage, and our only hope lay
in the cessation Of the storm, and the con-