The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-27

breaking Of tho banks had caused the
water again rapidly to rise about US.
in a little while II was once more as
high as our waists.
In The excitement and confusion deaf
encd by the noise and blinded by the
flying foam. we were In danger Of be-
coming separated in the food. We no
longer knew certainly In what direction
was tho tree by whose aid We had des-
candad from the electrical ship. We
pushed first one way and then another.
staggering through the rushing waters
IN search Of Il. Finally we succeeded
IN locating %. and with al our strength
hurried toward &c.
Then there came n noise as n the
globe OF Mars had been split asunder.
and another great head OF water hurled
iisclf down upon the soil before u.s. and.
without taking time 20 spread. bored a
vast cavity In the ground and scoopcd
ont tho whole Of the grove before our
eyes as easily as a gardener lfts sod
with his spade.
Our last hope was gone. For mo-
mcnt the level Of the water around us
sank again as u poured into the i'm
mense excavation where the grove had
stood. but in an instant II was reinforced
from all sides and began once more ra-
pidly to rise.
We gave ourselves UP for lost. and.
indeed. there did not seem any possible
hone Of salvation.
Even IN this extremity saw Colonel
Smith lifting the form Of Alma. who had
tainted. above the surface OF the surge
ing water while Sidney Phillips stood
by bis side and aided him in supporting
the unconscious girl
"We STAYED a little too long" was tho
only sound ] heard from Mr.. Edison.
The huge bulk of the power house par
TALLY protected us against the force Of
the current and tho water spun around
ms En- great cddics. These swept u7 this
way and that. but yet we managed 10
cling together. determined not 20 be scpa-
rated in death n we could avoid &c.
Suddenly a cry ran out directly above
our heads
Jump for yolr lives. and be quick"
At the same instant the ends OF several
ropes splashod into the water.
We glanced upward, ami there. within
three or four yards OF our heads hung
the electrical ship, which We had left
moorod at the top Of The tree
Tom. tho expert electrician from Mr..
ElisOn's shop. who had remained In
charge of the ship had hevor oncc
dreamed Of such % thing as descrtng
u.s. The moment he saw the water
bursting over the dam. and evidently
tered he cast of his moorings as we
subsequently learned. and lowered over
the entrance 20 the power house. getting
as low down as possible and keeping a
sharp watch for u.s.
But most OF The electric light in tho
vicinity had been carried down by the
first rush Of The water and On the dark
ness he did not see as when we emerged
from the entrance 10 was only after
the sweeping away OF the grove OF trees
had allowed a food OF light 90 stream
upon Tho scene from a cluster Of electric
lamps ON q distant portion OF the bank
ON the syrds that had not yet given way
that he caught sight OF us.
Immediately Doc began 90 shout 70 IT.
tract our attention. but in the awful
uproar we could not hear him. Getting
together an the ropes that he could lay
his hands on. Doe stecred The ship 10 a
point directly over us. and then dropped
down within few yards Of tho boiling
Hood.