The water rained in showers from the splash of their flying feet. Yet the roar of the cloudburst, the indescribable din of many waters piled in one, was growing louder with every heart-beat.
"We've got to do better!" yelled Ben. "Give 'em all the quirt!" He leaned and lashed Nan's horse.
"I can't; my horse is nearly played out!" Edith's despairing cry rose shrill.
The constant jumping of rocks and driftwood, together with the terrific pace, was beginning to tell on all the horses, but most of all on Edith's worn-out cow-pony.
He dropped behind.
Bob slackened his horse's pace and fell from it in his haste, but clung to the reins.
"Get off! Quick!"
She shook her head, but he caught the bridle when she would have passed and pulled her from the saddle. He threw her, rather than helped her, into his own.
"Don't spare him—he can make it!" He struck the quivering horse from behind and it was off with a leap.
The roar of the torrent reverberating in
