“Silence, there! Save your lives! Up the sides as fast as you can, and as high as you can climb. At any moment the dam may be washed away like so much salt. Think of nothing but your lives!”
A wild yearning cry full of despair arose at this, but the master’s words went home, and the next minute the hurried scrambling of feet was heard, as women, carrying their children, began to climb up the sides of the vale, dragged and pushed up by the menfolk, in whose faces were seen reflected the looks of their chief; but to a man they were grim and stern; and all the while, harsh, wild and strange, bringing down as it were a shower of echoes of its tones, the great bell rang on, swung to and fro, and over and over under the feverish impulse given by Will’s untiring arms.
So effective were the commands, so deeply imbedded in every breast was the knowledge of what might happen, that the time seemed short before Mr Willows could draw breath and feel satisfied that the weaker portion of the community were in safety.
“Now,” he cried, “you who are old, and all you boys, follow the women. No words—Go! Now, my lads, you who are ready to work, let’s see what we can save. But, mind, it must be one eye for what you are doing and one for yon tottering wall.”
“Why, master,” shouted the north-country man, “I don’t see nowt. She’ll stand for long after we are passed away. Aren’t this all a skear?”
“No!” cried Willows, fiercely. “The strong dam is wounded, and the place is bleeding fast. Here, Will,” he shouted, “leave that bell!”
“Oh, father,” cried the boy, as he ran up, “don’t send me away at a time like this.”
“I am not going to, my boy; I want you to be my strong right hand. Now then, I shall not be with you, so watch for your safety and that of those who are with you. Take four men, and save the books first, then the chest, and all you can that is easiest to move. Scatter the things anywhere that they will lodge, as soon as they are higher than the dam. Off with you! Work for your lives! One more word of warning! When the wall goes, if go it does, it will be with one mighty rush, sweeping everything away. Now, six men with me!”
All the rest rushed to him, and he told off the number he required.
“You others,” he cried, “you have heard what I’ve said. Off with you, and try to save your most treasured possessions—by your, I mean those of your neighbours and yourselves. At a time like this all must be in common, as it shall be when, if, please God, we escape, I will try to make up to you for what you have lost. Off! Now, my lads, every man lift and bear as big a stone as you can. Follow me!”