“My gracious,” she exclaimed. “I had no idea the water could rise so high in such a short time.”
“I doubt if we can get across,” said Mabel.
Shirley took Mabel by the hand.
“We’ll try,” she said briefly.
Very slowly they continued their way.
The water rose to their shoe tops, then to their knees, and still they went on.
“It can’t be much deeper,” said Mabel.
“I don’t know,” said Shirley. “I have never seen it this high, but I have heard Dad say that forty years ago it rose until it was impossible to cross for two days.”
The water had now reached their waists, and was still rising. Fortunately there was no current to speak of, so there was little danger so long as they kept their heads above water.
But when the water reached their armpits and continued to rise, Shirley turned back.