users and shirt-sleeves--for they had thrown off their
coats, as all active men do in an emergency--the brothers watched the
demolition of their possessions and hopes in solemn silence.

"I think," said John at length, with a sigh, "I've made up my mind to
join Frank Dobson now."

Bob and Jim smiled grimly, but said never a word.

Meanwhile the settlers of Mount Hope farm were not idle. Although not
fully alive to the danger of the storm, they saw enough to induce a
course of rapid action. Goods and cattle were removed from low-lying
buildings to higher ground, but the dwelling-house, being on the highest
point in the neighbourhood--with the exception of the hills themselves--
was deemed safe.

In these arrangements the family were ably assisted by the unexpected
accession of their friends. Hans, Considine, and Dobson taxed their
activity and strength to the utmost, so that things were soon put in a
state of security. Dobson did, indeed, think once or twice of his old
chums on the river, but a feeling of gallantry prevented his deserting
the ladies in the midst of danger, and besides, he argued, the Skyds are
well able to look after themselves.

Just as this thought passed through his mind the chums in question
appeared upon the scene, announcing the fact that their entire farm had
been swept away, and that _the water was still rising_.

"Well, it can't rise much higher now," said Edwin Brook, after condoling
with his young friends on their misfortunes, "and the moment it begins
to abate we shall go down to save all we can of your property. You
know, my poor fellows, that I shall be only too glad to help you to the
utmost of my power in such a sad extremity as this."

The brothers thanked their neighbour, and meanwhile aided the others in
removing the farm-produce and implements to higher ground.

Night at length settled down on the scene, and the wearied party
returned to the cottage for food and rest.

"Do you think, Mr Marais," said Gertie, looking up timidly at the
handsome young Dutchman, "that the worst of it is over?"

Hans, who felt somewhat surprised and chilled by the "Mister," replied
that he hoped it was.

But Hans was wrong. Late that night, after they had all lain down to
rest, Edwin Brook, feeling sleepless and uneasy, rose to look out at the
window. All was comparatively still, and very dark. There was
something grey on the ground, he thought, but judged it to be mist. The
noise of