What further plain truths the boys might have told each other is not certain; but, at this juncture, both were startled by a pebble that came bouncing down the bluff and hopped clear across to the roof of the ark, thence off into the river.
“Now, what do you think did that?” whispered Lewis, gripping his rifle and peering sharply into the night mists that enveloped both river and bluffs.
“Oh, ’twas just a little slide of loose earth that came down, and the stone happened to hop across here,” said Moses.
“But that’s just the way it did twice before,” whispered Lewis. “I tell you, Mose, there’s something up there. I believe I can see something, too, up there against the sky, ’mongst the tree trunks,” he added. “I’ve a good notion to fire at it.”
“Mack told you not to,” said Moses.
“Well, then, you go get Tige and put him up here, and get the lantern,” rejoined Lewis, after they had listened a while. “Let’s tie the lantern to the end of one of these long, new setting-poles, and hoist it up high. Maybe we can see then what’s up there.”
This idea pleased Moses. He swung down from the roof, put Tige up, and getting the lantern, proceeded to light the candle, after the tedious method of those days. Passing his arm through the big wooden ring, he was about to climb up to the roof when a deep rumble was heard, like low, heavy thunder.
The ark started violently, then seemed to receive a tremendous impulse, as if pushed off by a giant hand from the bank. It careened far over. Every timber cracked. The live stock lurched and leaped back, tugging at their halters. Then the heavy craft appeared to rise, like a ship on a great wave at sea. Momentarily, too, a sharp crash was heard, accompanied by a shock as from a sudden blow. The whole forward end of the roof broke down, and distressed squeals rose from the horses.
Moses Ayer, who was on the rail in the act of climbing up, was pitched headlong into the river. As he rose he felt the side of the ark come hard against him, and a loose plank from the roof slid down close beside his head. He caught hold of it and held on, floating with the current.
Captain Royce and Shadwell Lincoln, who were still awake in the gun-room, sprang forth at the first rumble, but were thrown down by the violent lurch that followed it. Shouts of terror were heard from those who had been asleep.