Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-02-05

on Indian mountains the lOw-lying
country is liable to such sudden floods
that every year many heats. and even
human beings. are drowned ere they
can make their escape to the higher
grounds.
Floods are terrible visitations while
they last, aad one of them came on SO
suddenly that had to spend day
and night in an open canoe in conse-
quence, during which time had good
opportunities OF seeing the good and
bad effects produced by them. I lived
at the time in IL mat house. situated
upon hill which l supposed was
quite above high-water mark, but an
old Mahometan gentleman having
told me that when he was q little boy
he recollected the water once rising
higher than the hill. took precaution
OF keeping q canoe in small ditch
close at hand.
The rainy season began. and daily
the river rose higher. Ono morning
we noticed that the mountain tops
were covered with heavy banks OF
dark clouds, though no rain fell on the
plain whore we were; but we noticed
many animals, leopard among 9th.
ers, sneak out OF the high grass and
make for billy ground. The most
curious thing. however, was the smart
manner in which rats and oven grass
hoppers came scampering away from
the threatening danger. These latter
came in such crowds toward my bun
galow that not only the fowls about
the premises had a good feed on them,
but kites and crows began to swoop
down in such numbers that the air was
filled with their cries and noise OF
their rushing wings.
While watching the immense de-
struction OF these insects, we were
. startled by the outbreak OF the thun-
derstorm high up on the mountains;
but far above tho peals OF thunder
rose the terrible sound OF rushing
water. Animals now came rushing
out of the lowlands too terrified to
notice whittier they went.
Soon the water burst through the
river bank, spreading over the coun-
try, sweeping down the tall grass
Jungle and surging and roaring round
our hill. Packing all that was valuable
in small parcels. we gathered them in
a heap, hoping that the flood would
subside ere it reached the building.
All round about large trees. uprooted
by the terrible force OF the deluge,
were swept along, several animals
vainly trying to keep footing among
their roots and branches. At last the
water reached the steps OF the house;
so, pulling our boat close up, we
stepped in with what we could save
and hung TO the wooden posts OF the
building, vainly trusting that the
worst had come; but it was not SO, for
we soon had 10 leave go the post and
pass tho boats rope round a tree. The
water then rushed ir, the house toppled
over. and it and its contents were
swept away by the food.
In short time tho tree began to
shake and bend. so we knew that i,
was being uprooted; therefore, letting
60 the rope. We launched forth upon
the seething waste Of waters and were
wEirled away. Onward we rushed
through the masses OF logs. branches,
the remains of houses and such like
wreck, having to be very careful thai
our frail vessel did not get upset OF
crushed. Twice we made for the tops
of hills that showed themselves above
water, but on approaching them w
found that they had been taken pos.
session of by wild animals.
Here tiger crouched on the branct
OF a tree, seemingly too much alarmed
at his perilous position to modest thu
half dozen deer that crowded timidl!
together underneath his porch.
Up above him tho smaller branche!
were stocked with monkeys, who look
ed very lieconsolate ut their enforce,
imprisonment As we swept past tn
tiger raised his head, gave a dec
growl and showed his teeth. the,
crouch down again as il fully awar
OF his hclplessness, and we had to-
much to think OF ourselves to inter
fere.
Gaining the open country. the seen
was one OF desolation. but the curren
was not SO strong. so We turned round
seeing the food was going down. an
by nightfall we had got back to wher
the house had stood. Every vestig
!. OF the once pretty homo had disap
peared, with sheep and cattle, thong
the fowls had managed to find roos
on the tOpmost branches Of som
orange trees. which alone remained I
} mark tho spot
} A. the moon rose the mountaineel