“I can’t promise to send much more,” said the operator, as several of the reporters came into the office. “Just got word that the waters just above here are worse than ever. Guess I’ll have to vacate here soon.”
“Where will you go?” asked Larry.
“I’ll take some of the instruments and set up a temporary office on the high hill back of the town,” was the answer. “The water can’t get there, and if you’ll get a boat you may be able to bring me your copy.”
“I’ll get a boat,” said Larry, with a laugh. “But perhaps it will not be as bad as you think.”
“It will be worse,” replied the operator, clicking away at his key.
Larry started back to where Mr. Newton was. On the way he met Peter Manton, his old rival, bringing some copy from the reporter for whom he was working.
“You think you’re smart with your wheel,” said Peter. “But you can’t use it much longer. The dam is breaking and you will have to swim.”
At this news, that the dam was about to give way, Larry put on extra speed. He wanted to be back in time to get some more copy from Mr. Newton, who, he knew, would want to send word for the extra.
As he sped along, and hard enough going it was, he heard a dull boom over toward the dam. This was followed by excited shouts. Then came a subdued roar.
“The dam has gone!” Larry exclaimed.