“The big dam hasn’t burst, or we’d hear the roar of waters,” declared Ned.
“Yes, and we’d see ’em, too,” added Bob.
“Well, something busted, because Pete Bumps told me!” insisted Andy. “Maybe the bottom dropped out of the river—water may be all running away—ground sunk in—we’ll all fall through—whoop!”
“Andy!” cried Jerry. “Stop, or you’ll burst! Cool down; can’t you?”
“I can’t seem to,” answered the small lad. “Hey!” he cried, “there goes one house, anyhow,” and he pointed to a structure floating down the stream.
“That’s so!” agreed Bob. “It’s a boathouse, too. I wonder what’s up?”
They saw a moment later. Just above where the street on which they were running came out on the river front, was a small stream that joined the main one. This little stream had been dammed up, to provide a flow of water for an old-fashioned iron mill that used a turbine wheel. Part of this mill-dam had given way because of the heavy rains, and the waters that were held back had suddenly been released, to flow into the river proper.
There was quite a crowd collected on the both banks of the river, and employees from the mill were endeavoring to repair the break in the dam, by putting timbers in it, and filling in the gap with stones, sod and earth.
“Say, this isn’t such an awful flood!” cried Jerry as he took in the scene. “I thought you said the whole town was being washed away, Andy?”