One evening the wind began to rise, while the rain seemed to fall faster than ever. Mrs Price, and Maud, and Leslie, stood looking out into the twilight. The mother was pale with anxiety, as she listened to the increasing noise of the wind.

"Do you think there is any danger, Mrs Price?" said Leslie, touching her arm.

"I cannot say, my dear, but I hope not; I wish the doctor was here, I should know what to do then, but to-morrow we will move into the town in case any thing should happen."

"If you please, mum," said a servant, entering, "the back yard is that full of water that our kitchen will be flooded if something ain't done."

"Well, Mary, I don't know what can be done; I will come and see," and Mrs Price left the room.

"Ma' seems very much troubled," remarked Maud.

"Yes, Maud, your mamma is afraid the place will be flooded," said Leslie.

"I hope not, for then we might all be drowned."

"Yes, unless some one came and rescued us."

It was with a heavy and foreboding heart that Mrs Price retired to rest. She made her little daughter sleep in her own room, while Leslie was placed in one much nearer her own than that he had previously occupied.

"Good night, Leslie," said Mrs Price, kissing him; "be sure and not forget to say your prayers, for we all need God's help."

Leslie had no idea how long he had been asleep, when he started up in bed with an undefinable impression that something was wrong. He sat rubbing his eyes, and but half awake—a confused sound, he knew not what, fell upon his ear; it seemed as if some dreadful strife was going on outside his window, something seemed in a terrible fury, raging wildly.

As his senses became more collected, he listened, and then he heard sounds which made him at once spring from his bed, slip on his trousers, and rush to the window; he hurriedly forced it open, and looked out. The night was still dark, and the wind still high, but something unusual was taking place in the playground directly underneath where he stood; for a minute or two he could not make out what it could be, but as his eyes grew more accustomed to the darkness, he could distinctly make it out to be the surging and roaring of water, which appeared to increase even as he gazed.

"Why," he thought, "the banks have given way, and the river has overflown—the house will be washed away."

Then his thoughts instantly reverted to Mrs Price and Maud, perhaps they were unacquainted with the danger which threatened them, which must be greater than his, for their room was on a lower floor. Without a moment's thought about the risk he might possibly run, half dressed as he was, he opened his room-door, and groped his way down stairs as quickly as he could.

He could hear the water dashing up against the stairs, how far down he knew not, but, judging from the sounds which it made, he concluded it must be very near Mrs Price's bedroom; this fact made him hurry faster, and not quite so cautiously as before, the consequences of which was his slipping down a number of the stairs, and falling plump into the water, which had already reached the landing; it was not deep, however, so he was quickly upon his feet again, and a moment or two after hammering with might and main at the door of the room in which Maud and her mamma were sleeping.

"Who is there?" came Mrs Price's voice.

"I, Leslie Ross."

"What do you want?"

"You and Maud must get up directly, the river has overflown, and the house is surrounded by water; make haste or it will be too late, it has already reached the landing."

"Wait one moment, Leslie, I will procure a light—the water has invaded my room, I feel the carpet is soaked."

Sooner than Leslie could have thought possible, Mrs Price had dressed herself and Maud, and appeared pale and anxious at her chamber door.

"Why, child, you are not dressed."

"I had not time, the danger was too great."

"Here, carry Maud up into your room, while I wake the servants."

"Don't be long, mamma dear," cried Maud, greatly terrified.

"No, darling. Hold this light, while Leslie carries you."

Leslie had to put forth all his strength to carry his precious burden, yet he contrived to whisper to her not to fear, for he would protect her. But they were both much frightened when they looked over the bannisters and saw the eddying and whirling water.

"You are all wet, Leslie!" said Mrs Price as she left him with Maud in his arms.

"Yes, I fell in coming down."

Maud was safely conveyed to his room, where he wrapped her round in a blanket which he took from his bed, he then hastily dressed himself so as to be in readiness for any emergency that might arise.

Mrs Price soon joined them with the terrified servants, whose pale faces and trembling bodies almost made Maud cry, but with her mamma's arms around her her fears were soon quieted.

"Thank God we are all safe," ejaculated Mrs Price.

"Yes, at present," said Leslie; "but I wish daylight was here so that we could understand what our position really is."

"The house is strong, Leslie, I don't think we can be washed away," said Mrs Price.

"Listen, mamma, what a noise the water makes!"

"Yes, darling, but it shall not hurt you."

"I will go and ascertain whether it is still rising," said Leslie, taking one of the candles and leaving the room.

He found the water rising fast, and felt that they must make their way to the attics if they did not wish to be swamped. He hurried back with the dismal intelligence, and Mrs Price immediately acted upon his advice, and the whole party were soon assembled in the top-most room of the house.

"We can go no higher," said Mrs Price; "but, children, let us pray to God for help."

They all knelt down, and in earnest tones and very fervent words, Mrs Price implored help from the great Helper of all mankind, in their time of peril and danger. When they arose from their knees, the little party felt more strengthened and hopeful. What a refuge God is in times of peril. Will my young readers remember this?

The time passed slowly away; the terror of the little party was every moment increased by the loud tumult of the water, and the terrible shocks which the house every instant received, as some large substance was hurled against it; they began to be afraid that it would not stand; that the waters would wash it away. As this fear gained ascendency, they longed more than ever for daylight to appear, that they might fully realize their position.

"With daylight, help must come," said Mrs Price, trying to soothe Maud, who was crying, "for many must know of our danger."

Leslie did his utmost to quiet his own fears, and infuse hope into the hearts of the rest; he tried to be brave and cheerful; and many times during that dreadful night Mrs Price admired the boy, and blessed him for his faithfulness and courage; and afterwards she said, it was him alone that kept them from utter despair.

Daylight at length came, but it only served to reveal the hopelessness of their situation. From the window of their refuge nothing was to be seen but a turbulent mass of heaving and seething water, in which uprooted trees were being tossed about, the thatched roofs of cottages, and pieces of household furniture; now and then the drowned carcase of a pig or sheep would float in sight; but look where they might, or in whatsoever direction, nothing but desolation met their view. The little party looked into each other's eyes to see only the reflection of their own despair.

"Look out, Leslie," said Mrs Price, "and see if any help is approaching."

"I cannot see a living creature in sight in any direction," said Leslie, after a long and anxious gaze.

"God help us!" murmured the anxious mother, pressing her daughter closer to her bosom.

Oh how powerless Leslie felt, that he could not effectually help Maud and her mother, that he could not rescue them from danger, and place them in some safe retreat.

"What is that, Leslie?" cried Mrs Price, as the house received a violent shock.

"A large tree, ma'am," said Leslie, looking out.

"I am fearful the house will not stand; is the water subsiding?"

Leslie shook his head; the water had risen so as to be but a few feet from their last refuge.

Suddenly Leslie gave a cry; he had been leaning out of the window, and an object caught his eye as it floated and drifted on the water.

"What is it, Leslie—help?" inquired Mrs Price.

"One of the school boats, ma'am; if it would only float close to the window we might all get into it, for the house is terribly shaken."

"Pray God that it may!" was the fervent ejaculation.

Leslie intently watched the progress of the boat, as the waters tossed it hither and thither; at one moment he believed it would float quite near, and then again his hopes were dashed, as it was whirled in another direction. At length, after his hopes had been alternately raised and dashed for many times, to his consternation he found it would pass the house a dozen yards distant. What could be done? It seemed their only hope from destruction. How could it be reached and entered? The distance was not great; should he swim to it? He looked at Mrs Price and Maud, and nerved his heart to the task.

"What are you about, Leslie?" cried Mrs Price, as she saw him climbing on to the window sill.

"I am going to swim to the boat."

"My child, you must not; the risk is too great!"

"Have no fear, ma'am, it is for your sake and Maud's," replied Leslie; and without further words, he plunged into the water and struck boldly out for the boat.

He found the turbulence of the waters stronger than he anticipated, and was compelled to put forth all his strength to prevent being carried away. The lessons he had learnt from Old Crusoe were of good service now. He had to put them all into practical use, or his brave attempt would have ended in death. He gained the boat at last, but he was so exhausted that it was with difficulty he could climb into it, and when he had done so he was obliged to rest himself, to recover a little measure of strength. He found, as he knew he should, the oars safely secured, one to either side of the boat, and by their aid it was not long before he stood beneath the window from which Mrs Price was anxiously watching him.

"Will you place Maud in, while I prevent the boat from knocking against the wall of the house."

Leslie's head was on a level with the window sill, so that it was not far for Maud to be lowered. The feat was successfully accomplished; then Mrs Price turned to her two servants, desiring them to enter first.

"Make haste," said Leslie, for the girls hesitated, "or the boat will be dashed to pieces."

They entered with fear and trembling; Mrs Price was the last to leave the room.

"All safe!" cried Leslie, pushing away the boat.

Mrs Price first wrapped a blanket she had brought with her round Maud, and then, turning to Leslie, seized one of the oars, saying, "I can row."

"You must all sit very still, for the boat is rather small to contain so many," said Leslie.

They rowed in the direction of the little market-town, but their progress was slow, as they had constantly to steer wide to prevent being run down by the floating debris.

They had not proceeded half way from the house when one of the servants gave a great cry, and, looking round, Leslie perceived a large boat approaching with several men in it; he raised a shout, which was heartily returned by them, as they turned their boat in his direction. What was the astonishment of Mrs Price, as the boat ran alongside of their own, to see that her husband was one of the number.

"Thank God you are safe," he said, as he clasped wife and child in his arms.

"Yes, and we owe it, under Providence, to Leslie Ross," said Mrs Price.

"My brave boy, I thank you heartily," said the husband, in broken accents.

All were soon conveyed to a place of safety, while the men started again to try and rescue others from their equally perilous positions.

Happily no lives were lost, but the destruction of property was very great; and it was several days ere the water subsided, so as to allow the work of renovation to commence.

Mr and Mrs Price found a refuge in the house of a friend, where Mr Ross speedily joined them, being anxious for the safety of his son, having read and heard accounts of the flood.

"I think," said Mr Ross, smilingly, one evening, "that we may forgive Leslie the punishment for his last 'lark.'"

"Yes, indeed," said the doctor, "I owe him more than ever I shall be able to repay."

"Some debts are sweet to owe," said Mrs Price, kissing Leslie.

"To-morrow we must start for home," said Mr Ross, "for your mamma will be anxious to see you."

My young readers can picture to themselves what a reception Leslie received when he reached home—all who have affectionate and loving parents can.

Leslie's adventures during the flood sobered him somewhat, he became more thoughtful, and the consequence was that he never again indulged in a "lark" without first believing it would have no unhappy results; yet he could never feel sorry for taking out the linchpin from the farmer's cart, although he was sorry that the farmer broke his arm.

Ascot House withstood the fury of the flood, but Dr Price thought it advisable to have his school somewhat further removed from the dangerous stream.

As soon as everything could be satisfactorily arranged, the scholars once more assembled, among whom Leslie received a most hearty welcome, and was regarded as quite a hero, while the story of the flood and his adventures became one of the legends of Ascot House School.

THE END