ic task of
teaching Tony his lessons, the amiable lady had lost the general duty of
keeping Tony in order, putting right what Tony had put wrong, and,
generally, undoing what Tony did. She also missed painfully those
little daily attentions to her hands and shins, which were rendered
necessary in consequence of Tony's activity with his nails and the toes
of his boots, to say nothing of his teeth. For many weeks past--it
seemed to her years--Miss Trim had not bandaged a cut, or fomented a
bruise, or mollified a scratch with ointment. She absolutely felt as
though she had suffered bereavement.

The silence which had descended on the breakfast-table was not broken
until Mr Ravenshaw's horse was reported ready at the door. On his way
to the main road the old gentleman had to pass close to the summer-house
on the knoll so much coveted by Angus Macdonald. There he reined up a
few minutes. The position commanded an extensive view, and the aspect
of the river was sufficiently alarming. The ice, which by that time had
broken up, was rolling and crashing along with inconceivable force
before the impetuous torrent. The water had risen to such a height that
the lower lands were completely inundated. That it was still rising was
made obvious by the fact that the rolling masses at the river-sides were
being thrust higher and higher on obstructing points, carrying bushes
and trees before them. Even while he gazed a lofty elm that grew on a
low part of Angus Macdonald's property was overthrown as if it had been
a mere twig, and swept away. Several young maple and oak trees further
down shared the same fate a few minutes later.

The house of Angus was full in view. It occupied a mound nearly, though
not quite, as high as the knoll on which he stood, and was still, like
his own dwelling, far above the reach of the raging flood. The spot
where the hut of Peegwish had stood was by that time deep below the
surface of the ice-torrent.

Mr Ravenshaw did not remain long in contemplation. The weather, which
had been stormy, became suddenly cold, and a blinding fall of sleet
induced him to button his greatcoat up to the chin as he hastened away.

Arriving at the mission station after a gallop of several miles, he
found a state of things which almost beggars description. Men, women,
and children were hurrying to and fro, laden with their chief valuables,
or driving carts loaded with household goods, which they deposited on
the