w, pierced in a thousand places by the rain as
by liquid fingers, settled with inconceivable rapidity. Great drifts
which had slanted to the tops of north windows twelve hours before
were almost gone. The wide snow-levels of the fields were all
honey-combed and glistening here and there with pools. The trees
dripped with clots of melting snow, there were avalanches from the
village roofs, and even in the houses was heard the roar of the
brook. It was, however, no longer a brook, not even a river, but a
torrent. It over spread its banks on either side. Forest trees stood
knee-deep in it, their branches swept it. At three o'clock Jerome's
mill was surrounded, though on one side by only a rippling shallow of
water. He had plenty of helpers all day; for if his dam and mill
went, there was danger to the Main Street bridge. Now they had all
taken advantage of the last firm footing, and left the mill. They had
joined a watching group on a rise of ground beyond the flood. The
rain was slacking somewhat, and half the male portion of the village
seemed assembled, watching for the possible destruction of the mill.
Now and then came a hoarse shout across the swelling water to Jerome.
He alone remained in his mill, standing by the great door that
overlooked the dam and the falls. He was high above it, but the spray
wet his face.

The great yellow flood came leaping tumultuously over the dam, and
rebounding in wild fountains of spray. Trees came with it, and
joists--a bridge somewhere above had gone. Strange, uncanny wreckage,
which could not be defined, bobbed on the torrent, and took the
plunge of annihilation over the dam. Every now and then came a cry
and a groan of doubt from the watchers, who thought this or that
might be a drowned man.

Besides the thundering rush of the water there were other sounds,
which Jerome seemed to hear with all his nervous system. The mill
hummed with awful musical vibrations, it strained and creaked like a
ship at sea.

The hoarse shouts from the shore for him to leave the mill were
redoubled, but he paid no heed. He was on the other side, and knew
nothing of a sudden commotion among the people when Jake Noyes came
dashing through the trees and calling for Doctor Prescott, who had
joined them some half hour before.

"Come quick, for God's sake!" he shouted; "you're wanted on the other
side of the brook, and the bridge will be gone, and you'll have to go
ten miles round. Colonel Lamson is down