tion of the flood--only to see that it still continued to rise.
As soon as our arrangements were completed, I ran down to the water's
edge. After watching it for a few minutes, to my great joy I perceived
that _the flood was at a stand_! I shouted the glad news to my
companions, who, on hearing it, hastened to join me, and assure
themselves by actual observation. For half-an-hour, we all stood upon
the shore of the new-formed lake, until we became convinced that its
waters were rising no higher. We saw, too, that they did not subside,
but remained stationary. `It has reached the top of whatever has dammed
it,' thought we, `and is now flowing over.'

"`What a pity, Massa Roff,' said Cudjo, as we wended our way back to the
camp; `what a pity we make dat fine raff for nuffin!'

"`Ah, Cudjo,' rejoined my wife, `we should never regret having performed
that which is a work of precaution; and we must remember that the raft--
although it may not be required as we intended it--has already far more
than repaid us for the labour bestowed upon it. Remember the misery we
were suffering but a short time since, and from which the idea of this
raft at once relieved us. Measures of precaution, however irksome,
should always be adopted. It is only the slothful and vacillating who
either neglect or regret them.'

"`Dat's true, Missa--dat's berry true,' said Cudjo, in a serious tone,
for he well knew how to appreciate the teachings of his noble mistress.

"It was now very late, or rather very early, and Mary, with the
children, returned to their usual resting-place in the wagon. Cudjo and
I, fearing to trust to the capricious water, determined--lest it might
take another turn, and `catch us napping'--to keep watch on it till the
morning."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

THE BEAVERS AND WOLVERENE.

"When daylight came, the mysterious flood was still standing at its full
height. I call it mysterious, for as yet we knew nothing of what had so
suddenly created it. We could think of no other cause than the falling
in of the precipice below. I had determined, as soon as the day fairly
broke, to make my way through the woods, and remove all doubt--for we
still felt some uneasiness in regard to this strange phenomenon.

"Leaving Cudjo with his long spear, and the boys with their rifles, to
guard the camp, I set forth alone. I took with me my gun, as well as a
small hatchet which we had, to clear away a track through the brushwood.