l-room windows out into the equally deserted playground; how silent and lonely everything seemed, and to make matters worse, the rain had re-commenced to

ling rain, and the hot tears gushed from his eyes, and, laying

head, and a kind voice saying, "My poor boy! I am very sorry you are left behind; there, there, do not cry, brighten up, and come into th

and placing one hand in Mrs Price's, he said, as they walked to the parlour, "You ar

ve boy; you must not

so long to go home, and it is such a

orld and life are ful

hey, m

try to meet our shar

ll as bitte

much worse

a'am; but I really did try

be with her all day, and was soon engaged in planning various ex

nice things to eat; then we will row down the river until we reach the wood, in which we will roam about all day, having our dinner und

shall be my lance, and I will pretend to be a knight who

the beautiful la

se, for I think yo

Maud, opening her large eyes to the

ect you," said Le

be really st

, if danger threa

, mamma?" said Maud,

ear," was

shing, "but I think every one is brav

alling as it has done to-day, your excursio

t will be a bad season for farmers, and the poor, if no break come in the clouds." But day after day passed away, and no bright sun broke through an

drift away. Mrs Price was full of fear and alarm; she was afraid the river would overflow. The doctor was away from home, but she wrote him urgent letters requesting him to

er. Mrs Price, and Maud, and Leslie, stood looking out into the twilight. The mo

y danger, Mrs Price?" sai

was here, I should know what to do then, but to-morrow w

"the back yard is that full of water that our

can be done; I will come and se

much troubled,

s afraid the place will

r then we might

ome one came a

. She made her little daughter sleep in her own room, while Leslie was

sing him; "be sure and not forget to say

ng was wrong. He sat rubbing his eyes, and but half awake-a confused sound, he knew not what, fell upon his ear; it s

and looked out. The night was still dark, and the wind still high, but something unusual was taking place in the playground directly underneath where he stood; for a minute or two he could not m

given way, and the river has overfl

d them, which must be greater than his, for their room was on a lower floor. Without a moment's thought about the risk he

him hurry faster, and not quite so cautiously as before, the consequences of which was his slipping down a number of the stairs, and falling plump into the water, which had already reached the

?" came Mrs P

eslie

do you

own, and the house is surrounded by water; make haste or

cure a light-the water has invaded m

, Mrs Price had dressed herself and Maud, and

, you are n

e, the danger

into your room, while

ma dear," cried Mau

this light, while L

ed to whisper to her not to fear, for he would protect her. But they were both much f

said Mrs Price as she lef

ell in co

n a blanket which he took from his bed, he then hastily dressed hi

e pale faces and trembling bodies almost made Maud cry, but

e all safe," eja

wish daylight was here so that we could

e, I don't think we can be

what a noise t

but it shall

still rising," said Leslie, taking on

not wish to be swamped. He hurried back with the dismal intelligence, and Mrs Price immediately

Mrs Price; "but, children, l

per of all mankind, in their time of peril and danger. When they arose from their knees, the little party fe

h the house every instant received, as some large substance was hurled against it; they began to be afraid that it would not stand; that the waters

Price, trying to soothe Maud, who was cr

rave and cheerful; and many times during that dreadful night Mrs Price admired the boy, and blessed him for

ater, in which uprooted trees were being tossed about, the thatched roofs of cottages, and pieces of household furniture; now and then the drowned carcase of a pig or sheep would float in sigh

Mrs Price, "and see if

sight in any direction," said Les

anxious mother, pressing her

ally help Maud and her mother, that he could not rescue

ied Mrs Price, as the hous

a'am," said Lesl

se will not stand; is

r had risen so as to be but a f

ng out of the window, and an object caught hi

slie-help?" inq

only float close to the window we might all g

may!" was the fe

ed in another direction. At length, after his hopes had been alternately raised and dashed for many times, to his consternation he found it would pass the house a dozen yards distant. What could be do

ried Mrs Price, as she saw him

to swim to

ust not; the ris

" replied Leslie; and without further words, he plung

into practical use, or his brave attempt would have ended in death. He gained the boat at last, but he was so exhausted that it was with difficulty he could climb into it, and when he had done so he was obliged to rest himself, to recov

I prevent the boat from knockin

far for Maud to be lowered. The feat was successfully accomplished; th

the girls hesitated, "or the

trembling; Mrs Price was

d Leslie, pushin

t with her round Maud, and then, turning to Lesl

for the boat is rather small t

ut their progress was slow, as they had constantly to st

boat approaching with several men in it; he raised a shout, which was heartily returned by them, as they turned their boat in his dir

he said, as he clasped w

der Providence, to Lesl

ou heartily," said the h

while the men started again to try and rescue

y was very great; and it was several days ere the water su

here Mr Ross speedily joined them, being anxious for the sa

ne evening, "that we may forgive Lesl

or, "I owe him more than eve

t to owe," said Mrs

me," said Mr Ross, "for your ma

a reception Leslie received when he reached home

he never again indulged in a "lark" without first believing it would have no unhappy results; yet he could never

Dr Price thought it advisable to have his school

among whom Leslie received a most hearty welcome, and was regarded as quite a hero, while