Penny was stunned for an instant. Then seizing Louise’s arm, she pulled her out on the train platform. At first glance nothing appeared wrong. The tracks were well above the river level. Between the road bed and a high hill on the left, flood water was running like a mill race, but the ditch was narrow and represented no immediate danger.
“Listen!” Penny cried.
From far away there came a deep, rumbling roar not unlike the sound of distant thunder.
Leaning far over the train platform railing, Penny gazed up the tracks. The sight which met her eyes left her momentarily paralyzed.
Down the valley charged a great wall of water, taking everything before it. Trees had been mowed down. Crushed houses were being carried along like children’s blocks. Far up the track a switch engine was lifted bodily from the rails and hurled backwards.
Penny waited to see no more.
“The dam’s given away!” she shouted. “Quick, Louise! Climb over the railing and run for your life!”
CHAPTER
19
TRAGEDY
Leaping over the platform railing, Penny held up her arms to assist Louise. Now awakened to danger, her chum scrambled wildly after her only to stop aghast as she beheld the gigantic wall of water rushing toward them.
“Jump the ditch and make for the hill!” Penny ordered tersely. “Be quick!”