at the water became deeper and rushed along
with greater force. The sound of its roaring in the confined place was
deafening, and communication with each other was out of the question.

"We had traveled perhaps three miles in this manner, when we suddenly
noticed that the water seemed to be rising! Within a few minutes after
we had observed this, it crept up to above our knees, and its roaring
grew perceptibly louder. We looked desperately about us for some place
of refuge, but there was none. The stream now ran in a cavern not more
than eighty feet wide and ten feet high, and its smooth, water-worn walls
stretched on into the darkness ahead without a break.

"We looked at each other in dismay, as the water crept up, deeper and
deeper. Pieces of wood and branches of trees were now floating on it,
and Bradhurst said, 'Boys, there must be a heavy rain outside, and this
stream is feeling its effects. If we don't get to some place where it
widens out very soon, we might as well write each other's epitaphs.
We've got to hurry like--listen! What was that?'"

"From the blackness in back of us came a sudden loud, menacing roar,
growing in volume every second."

"Come on, boys, quick!" yelled Bradhurst, setting us the example by
forging ahead faster than before. "There's a big wave coming that'll
fill this place up to the roof, and the Lord help us if it overtakes us
here."

"We stumbled along as fast as we could, but could make but slow progress,
burdened as we were by the helpless form of our comrade. The water was
almost to our waists, and the awful wave back of us approached with
horrible rapidity. We were about ready to give up, when Bradhurst, who
was a little in the lead, came ploughing back to us.

"Come along for your lives, boys," he shouted above the noise of the
water. "This infernal hole widens out a little further on, and
if--here, you fellows are tired out. Hustle along, and I'll carry Bob."

"We tried to stop him, but he paid no attention to us, and, stooping
over, lifted the unconscious form of our companion on his broad back.
Thus relieved, we put all our ebbing strength in one last mad dash,
pulling Brad and his burden along with us. At last we reached a place
where the cavern widened, and struggled up on a strip of sandy beach.
But we were not out of the water's power yet, by any means. We knew that
our only salvation lay in finding some refuge above the highest level the
stream would be