as not the
only house that succumbed to the flood on that occasion. Many besides
himself were rendered homeless. That night, (the 4th of May), the
waters rose four feet, and the settlers even on the higher grounds began
to think of flight.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

THE FLOOD CONTINUES TO DO ITS WORK.

Rapidly and steadily did the waters of the Red River rise, until,
overflowing all their banks, they spread out into the plains, and
gradually settler after settler retired before the deluge, each
forsaking his home at the last moment, and going off in quest of higher
ground with his cattle and property.

These high places were not numerous, for the whole region was very
level. Many settlers discovered at that time a number of features in
the colony which had been unrecognised before, and found refuge on spots
which had never been observed as lying above the dead level of the
plains. Even these spots were not all safe. Many of them were speedily
submerged, and those who had fled to them sought refuge on the still
higher knolls, which soon became inconveniently crowded. Some miles
from the river there was an elevation of ground named the "Little
Mountain," and to this many of the people repaired. It was about as
deserving of its title as is a molehill; nevertheless it proved a safe
asylum in the end.

Louis Lambert was driven from his home the day after that on which the
house of his friend Winklemann was destroyed. His house was a stout one
of two storeys, and, owing to its position, was less exposed to the
current of the flood than many other dwellings. Confident of its
strength and the security of its position, its owner had carried all his
goods and furniture to the upper storey, but on returning, after
assisting his friend, he found the water in it so high that he feared it
might be set afloat--as some of the houses had already been--and finally
made up his mind to remove. But where should he remove to? That was
the question.

"To zee hause of old Liz," observed his friend. "It is close to hand,
an' zere is yet room."

This was true, but Lambert's inclinations turned in the direction of
Willow Creek; he therefore protested there was not room.

"No, no," he said; "it's not fair to crowd round old Liz as we are
doing. I'll ride down to Ravenshaw's and see if there is room on his
ground to place my property. There will be plenty of time. Even if the
water should go on rising, which I hope it won't, m