Page:Patches (1928).pdf/263

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bushes and all sorts of débris and Larry was aghast at the height and breadth of the flood. As he neared the cabin he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Elsie, Elsie, where are you?" Presently he thought he heard a faint cry from the bluff at the left and looking in that direction he saw her running hurriedly down the path which wound out and in among the trees. Her hair was streaming in the autumn wind and she was pale with fear, but she still clutched in her hands a bunch of autumn leaves.

"Run to me, Elsie," Larry called, barely making himself heard above the roar of the flood which was now like the sound of continuous thunder. He turned Patches about so as to be in readiness, but did not dare dismount and all the time he looked over his shoulder to watch the on-coming monster. The seconds seemed like hours, but finally, breathless and excited, Elsie threw herself against Patches' side and at the same instant Larry caught her by the collar of her coat and set her upon the saddle in front of him.

"Cling on tight," he warned.

At that instant the advance wave of the flood struck them. It was foaming, hissing and gnashing its teeth. The wave was only three or four feet high but it gave them a good drenching.

Then Larry let the quirt fall on Patches' side and he