A real hero must have presence of mind as well as courage in times of danger.
To-day we are going to learn how a man saved a whole village from destruction. The little village was built on the banks of a river, and a few miles above it was a great dam holding back the water until it looked like a large lake. It was very beautiful on bright sunny days to see the great sheet of water, and to watch the falls of the dam.
It had been raining for many days and the lake was becoming larger and larger. The water rose until it came to the very level of the dam; but everybody thought it was safe, for the great rocks looked as strong as the hills themselves. So one night after the rain had stopped all the people of the village went to sleep as usual. Late in the night the water ran over the dam and tore a rock loose. Then a larger rock followed, and then another and another. By daybreak a great hole was in the dam and the sides were tottering.
Collins Graves, a young farmer, rose early and went on his way to the mill.
“I believe I will go by and take a look at the dam,” he said to his wife, as he started off. It was well he did so. When he came to the lake he noticed how the water was going down. Then he went over to the dam and saw the great hole in it, and saw it was growing bigger and bigger every minute. As he stood watching it the whole dam gave way and the lake was emptied into the river.
“The village! the village!” he cried. “I must save the people!” and with that he leaped upon his horse and began a race with the flood. Five miles down the river lay the village asleep. Onward went the waters in a wave big enough to wash down the mill and all the houses of the people. On swept the brave horse as fast as he could race. Graves threw away his bags, his coat, even his hat to lighten the load, and called to his horse to run for the lives of the people.
He passed the big wave—gained on it—then rode a mile ahead of it and dashed into the village as the people were getting up.
“Run for your lives! The dam has broken and the waters are coming! Save the children and the stock—nothing else, for the wave will be here in a minute!” he cried out at the top of his voice. “Be quick!”
The people rushed from their houses, carrying the babes in their arms and calling for the children. The barns were opened and the stock ran, scenting the danger. Up to the hills they flew—all of them—not a soul was left in the village; and the great wave rolled over their houses, barns, bridges and fences.