From time to time my father tried to raise our spirits by speaking
hopefully and prayerfully of our position, but it was hard work to raise
the spirits of poor creatures in so perilous a strait, and after a time
he became silent, and we all sat wondering, and bending down to feel if
the water was still rising.

Then all at once a curious thrill of horror ran through me, for the
hideous bellow of an alligator was heard, and Morgan's hand went
involuntarily to his pocket.

"Got knives, everybody?" he said. "Don't want them cowardly beasts to
tackle us now."

"It is hardly likely," said my father, but at that moment as he spoke
Pomp touched my arm.

"Dah 'gator!" he said, pointing.

I could see nothing, only that there was a broken lustre of the stars
reflected on the water; and if it was one of the monsters it slowly
glided away.

Then it began to grow colder and colder, and as I sat and gazed before
me, the dark trees standing above the flood grew misty, and a pleasant
sensation was stealing over me, when I felt my arm grasped tightly, and
I gave quite a jump.

"No, no, my boy!" said my father, sternly. "You must not give way to
that."

"I--I--" I faltered.

"You were dropping off to sleep," said my father, firmly. "You must
master the desire. Hannibal, take care that Pomp does not go to sleep."

"Him sleep long time, sah," said the black. "Wake um up?"

"No; let him sleep; only keep watch over him, or he may slide into the
water."

There was silence again, only broken by a low sigh or two from Sarah, to
whom Morgan muttered something again and again as the time crawled
slowly on and the waters still rose higher and higher toward our feet.

Never did the night seem so long before, and the only relief I had in my
wearisome position was derived from the efforts I had to make from time
to time to master the terrible feeling of drowsiness which would keep
coming on.

Every now and then there was a little buzz of conversation, and I made
out that my father asked every one's opinion, and made all try to make
out how much higher the water had risen, so as to excite their interest,
though it was all plain enough.

And so the night wore on, with the flood gliding up and up, and strange
splashings and bellowings heard from time to time, now far off, now
nearer, and every eye was strained to see if the creatures that made
these noises were appearing.

Then all was silent again, and we waited, with the w