y, though in the same manner, the second and third streams, and
at length reached the houses. The spectators gave them three hearty
cheers. By this time the Kerrs had been left scarcely three feet of
ground to stand on, under the back wall of the houses. A pleasing sight
it was to see the boat touch that tiny strand, and the despairing family
taken on board. How anxiously did the spectators watch every motion of
the little boat, that was now so crowded as very much to impede the
rowers. They crossed the first two streams, and finally drew up for the
last and dreadful trial. There the frail bark was again whirled down;
and notwithstanding all their exertions, the stern just touched the wall.
The prow however was in stiller water; one desperate pull,--she sprang
forward in safety, and a few more strokes of the oar landed the poor
people amongst fifty or sixty of their assembled friends. After mutual
greetings and embraces, and many tears of gratitude, old Kerr related his
simple story. "Seeing their retreat cut off by the flood, they attempted
to wade ashore. But the nearer the shore, the deeper and more powerful
was the current. The moment was awful. The torrent increased on all
sides, and night, dark night, was spread over them. The stream began to
be too deep for the niece, a girl of twelve years of age,--she lost heart
and began to sink. At this alarming crisis Kerr seized the trembling
girl, and placed her on his back, and shoulder to shoulder with his wife,
he providentially, but with the greatest difficulty, regained his own
house. Between eight and nine o'clock he groped his way, and led his
wife and niece up into the garret. He could not tell how long they
remained there, but supposed it might be till about two o'clock next
morning, when the roof began to fail. To avoid being crushed to death,
he worked anxiously till he drove down the partition separating them from
the adjoining house. Fortunately for him it was composed of wood and
clay, and a partial failure he found in it very much facilitated his
operations. Having made their way good, they remained there till about
eight o'clock in the morning, when the strength of the water without
became so great that it bent inwards the bolt of the lock of the
house-door, till it had no greater hold of the staple than the
eighth-part of an inch. Aware, that if the door should give way the back
wall of the house would be swept down by the rush of the water