“Hisv’icewaslikethesoon’o’monywatters，“shesaidtoherselfsoftly，astheliquidthunderofthetorrentcameinthelouder。
Gibbieshotroundthecornertothebyre，whencethroughalltheroar，everynowandthentheyhadheardthecavernousmooingofCrummie，piteousandlow。Hefoundastreamafootdeeprunningbetweenherforeandhindlegs，anddidnotwonderthatshewantedtobeonthemove。Speedilyheloosedher，andfasteningthechain-tethertoherhalter，ledherout。Shewasterrifiedatsightofthefallingwater，andtheyhadsometroubleingettingherthroughbehindit，butpresentlyafter，shewasmakingthedescentascarefullyandsuccessfullyasanyofthem。
ItwasaheavyundertakingforthetwooldfolktowalkallthewaytotheMains，andinsuchastateoftheelements;butwherethereisnochoice，wedowelltomakenodifficulty。Janetwashalftroubledthathermountain，andherfoundationontherock，shouldhavefailedher;butconsoledherselfthattheywerebutshadowsofheavenlythingsandfiguresofthetrue;andthatamountainorarockwasinitselfnomoretobetrustedthanahorseoraprinceorthelegsofaman。Robertploddedonincontentedsilence，andGibbiewasingreatglee，singing，afterhisfashion，alltheway，thoughnowandthenhalf-chokedbythefiercenessofthewindroundsomecornerofrock，filledwithrain-dropsthatstunglikehailstones。
ByandbyJanetstoppedandbeganlookingabouther。Thisnaturallyseemedtoherhusbandratheroddinthecircumstances。
“Whatareyeefter，Janet？”hesaid，shoutingthroughthewindfromafewyardsoff，bynomeanssorrytostandforamoment，althoughanyrecoveringofhisbreathseemedalmosthopelessinsuchatempest。
“Iwanttolaymyumbrellinsafity，“answeredJanet，“——gienIcudbutperceiveashuitablespot。Yewasricht，Robert，it’smairw’althnorIcangettheguido’。”
“Hoots！fling’tfraeye，than，lass，“hereturned。“Isthisadaytobethinkin’o’warl’’sgear？”
“Whatforno，Robert？”sherejoined。“Aeday’sasguid’sanitherforthinkin’abootonythingtherichtgait。”
“What！”retortedRobert，“——whanwehaeta’enoorlivesinoorhan’，an’cannomorethanhoupwemaycairrythemthrou’safe！”
“What’sthat’atyeca’oorlives，Robert？，TheMaisternevermademuckleo’thesavin’o’siclike’sthem。Itseemstomethey’renaethingbutakin’o’warl’’sgearthemsel’s。”
“An’yet，“arguedRobert，“ye’lltakthouchtabootanauldumbrell？
Whaur’syerconsistency，lass？”
“GienIwartribledabootmylife，“saidJanet，“Icudillsparethouchtforanauldumbrell。Buttheybaithtriblemesaelittle，’atImayjistasweelluikefterthembaith。It’sauldan’castenan’bow-ribbit，it’strue，butitwadillbecomemetodrapitwi’ootathoucht，whanhim’atcouldmakhaillloaves，said，’Getherupthefragments’atnaethingbelost。’——Na，“shecontinued，stilllookingabouther，“Imaunjistdeemydutybytheauldumbrell;
synecomeo’’t’atlikes，Icarena。”
Sosayingshewalkedtotheleesideofarock，andlaidtheumbrellacloseunderit，thenafewlargestonesuponittokeepitdown。
Imayadd，thatthesameumbrella，recovered，andwithtwonewribs，servedJanettothedayofherdeath。
CHAPTERXXXIII。
THEMAINS。
Theyreachedatlengththevalleyroad。ThewaterthatraninthebottomwastheLorrie。Threedaysagoitwasalivelylittlestream，windingandchangingwithinitsgrassybanks——hererestingsilentinadeeppool，thererunningandsingingoveritspebbles。
Nowithadfilledandfaroverfloweditsbanks，andwasaswiftriver。Ithadnotyet，sofarupthevalley，encroachedontheroad;butthetorrentsonthemountainhadalreadyinplacesmuchinjuredit，andwithconsiderabledifficultytheycrossedsomeofthenew-madegullies。Whentheyapproachedthebridge，however，bywhichtheymustcrosstheLorrietoreachtheMains，theirworsttroublelaybeforethem。Fortheenemy，withwhosereinforcementstheyhadallthetimebeendescending，showedhimselfeveringreaterstrengththefarthertheyadvanced;andheretheroadwasfloodedforalongwayonbothsidesofthebridge。Therewasthereforeagooddealofwadingtobedone;buttheroadwasanembankment，therewaslittlecurrent，andinsafetyatlasttheyascendedtherisinggroundonwhichthefarm-buildingstood。Whentheyreachedtheyard，theysentGibbietofindshelterforCrummie，andthemselveswentuptothehouse。
“TheLordpreserve’s！”criedJeanMavor，withupliftedhands，whenshesawthementerthekitchen。
“He’lldeethat，mem，“returnedJanet，withasmile。
“Butwhatcanhedee？，Gienyebedroontooto’thehills，what’stocomeo’hizi’thehow？，Iwadkenthat！”saidJean。
“Thewatter’snouptoyerdooryet，“remarkedJanet。
“Godforbid！”retortedJean，asiftheverymentionofsuchastateofthingswastoodreadfultobepolite。“——But，eh，ye’reweet！”
“Weet’snotheword，“saidRobert，tryingtolaugh，butfailingfromsheerexhaustion，andthebeginningsofanasthmaticattack。
Thefarmer，hearingtheirvoices，cameintothekitchen——amiddle-sizedandmiddle-aged，rathercoarse-lookingman，withkeeneyes，whotooksnuffamazingly。Hismannerwasfree，withatouchofsatire。Hewasproudofdrivingahardbargain，butwasthoroughlyhospitable。Hehadlittlerespectforpersonorthing，butshowedanoccasionaltouchoftenderness。
“Hoot，Rob！”hesaidroughlyasheentered，“Ithouchtyehadmairsense！，What’sbrouchtyehereatsicatime？”
Butashespokeheheldouthissnuff-boxtotheoldman。
“Fellneedcessity，sir，“answeredRobert，takingagoodpinch。
“Necessity！”retortedthefarmer。“Wasyeooto’meal？”
“Ooto’drymeal，Idoobt，bythistime，sir，“repliedRobert。
“Hoots！，Iwusswewara’inlikenecessity——weelupupo’thehilli’steado’doonhereupo’thehaughriver-meadow。It’sjistcleanridic’lous。Yesudhaekennedbetteratyourage，Rob。Yesudhaethouchttwise，man。”
“’Deed，sir，“answeredRobert，quietlyfinishinghispinchofsnuff，“therewassma’need，an’lesstimetothink，an’Glashgarbursten，an’thewattercomin’owerthetapo’thebithoosieasgien’twaramuckleowershotwheel，an’noaplaceforfowktobidein。YedinnathinkJanetan’mewadbetwasicauldfulesaspitonoorSundayclaestosweemin，gienwethouchttoseethingsasweleftthemwhanwegaedback！，Yesee，sir，thoughthehoosebefun’tupo’arock，it’smaistbiggito’fells，an’thefoundation’sa’Iluikeventoseeo’’tagain。Whantheforceo’thewattergrowsless，it’llcomedownupo’theriggin’wi’thehaillweichto’’t。”
“Ay！”saidJanet，inalowvoice，“thelivestanesmauncometotheliverocktobiggthehoose’at’llstan。”
“Whatthinkye，MaisterFergus，you’at’sgauin’tobeaminister？”
saidRobert，referringtohiswife’swords，astheyoungmanlookedinatthedoorofthekitchen。
“Lathimbe，“interposedhisfather，blowinghisnosewithunnecessaryviolence;“setnahimpreachin’afore’stime。Fessthewhusky，Fergus，an’gieauldRobertadram。Haith！gienthewatterberinnin’owerthetapo’yerhoose，man，itwastimetoflit。
Fesstwaorthreeglaisses，Fergus;wehaea’needo’something’at’snowatter。It’sperfecklyridic’lous！”
Havingtakenalittleofthewhisky，theoldpeoplewenttochangetheirclothesforsomeJeanhadprovided，andinthemeantimeshemadeupherfire，andpreparedsomebreakfastforthem。
“An’whaur’syerdummie？”sheasked，astheyre-enteredthekitchen。
“HehadpuirCrummietoluikefter，“answeredJanet;“buthemichthaebeeninorthistime。”
“He’llbewi’Donali’thebyre，naedoobt，“saidJean：“he’sayesomeshyo’comin’inwantin’aninveet。”，Shewenttothedoor，andcalledwithaloudvoiceacrosstheyard，throughthewindandtheclashingtorrents，“Donal，sen’Dummieintill’sbrakfast。”
“He’sawa’till’ssheep，“criedDonalinreply。
“Preserve’s！——thecratur’llbelost！”saidJean。
“Lessliklynoronymanaboottheplace，“bawledDonal，halfangrywithhismistressforcallinghisfrienddummie。“Gibbiekensbetterwhathe’sabootnoronytwa’atthinkshimafule’causehecannalatootsicstuffan’nonsenseastheycannahaudin。”
Jeanwentbacktothekitchen，onlyhalfreassuredconcerningherbrownie，andfarfromcontentedwithhisabsence。ButshewasgladtofindthatneitherJanetnorRobertappearedalarmedatthenews。
“Iwussthecraturhadhadsomebrakfast，“shesaid。
“Hehasapiecein’spooch，“answeredJanet。“He’snooonproviditwi’whatcanbemademairo’。”
“Idinnarichtlyun’erstan’yethere，“saidJean。
“Yecannahaefailttoremark，mem，“answeredJanet，“’atwhantheMaistersethimsel’tofeedthehungerin’thoosan’s，heteukintil’shan’whattherewas，an’vrouchtupo’thattomakmairo’’t。Ihaewussedsometimes’attheladdiewi’thefivebarleyloavesan’thetwasma’fishes，hadnabeentherethatday。IwadfainkenhootheMaisterwadhaemanagedwantin’onythingtobeginupo’。Asitwas，heayehangwhathedidupo’somethinghisFatherhadduneaforehim。”
“Hoots！”returnedJean，wholookeduponJanetasaloverofconundrums，“ye’reayewarstlin’wi’runk-notsan’teuchmoo’fu’s。”
“Owna，noaye，“answeredJanet;“——onlywhiles，whanthespeerito’
speirin’getstheupperhan’o’meforasizon。”
“Idoobtthatsamespeerit’llleadyefarfraethestillwatterssomeday，Janet，“saidJean，stirringtheporridgevehemently。
“Ow，Ithinknot，“answeredJanetverycalmly。“WhantheMaistersays——what’sthattothee？——Itakcarehehasnatosay’ttwise，butjistgetupan’followhim。”
ThiswasbeyondJean，butsheheldherpeace，for，thoughshefearedforJanet’sorthodoxy，andhadastrongopinionofthesuperiorityofherowncommonsense——inwhich，asinthecaseofallwhopridethemselvesinthesame，therewasagooddealmoreofthecommonthanofthesense——shehadthedeepestconvictionofJanet’sgoodness，andregardedherasasortofheaven-favouredidiot，whoseutterancesweresomewhatprivileged。Janet，forherpart，lookeduponJeanas“anhonestwuman，wha’llgetaheapo’lichtsomeday。”
Whentheyhadeatentheirbreakfast，Roberttookhispipetothebarn，sayingtherewasnotmuchdangeroffirethatday;Janetwashedupthedishes，andsatdowntoherBook;andJeanwentoutandin，attendingtomanythings。
Meantimetherainfell，thewindblew，thewaterrose。Littlecouldbedonebeyondfeedingtheanimals，threshingalittlecorninthebarn，andtwistingstrawropesforthethatchofthericksofthecoming，harvest——ifindeedtherewasaharvestontheroad，for，asthedaywenton，itseemedalmosttogrowdoubtfulwhetheranyropeswouldbewanted;whilealreadynotafewoflastyear’sricks，fromfartherupthecountry，werefloatingpasttheMains，downtheDaurtothesea。Thesightwasadreadfulone——hadanairofthedayofjudgmentaboutittofarmers’eyes。FromtheMains，torightandleftbeyondtherisinggroundonwhichthefarmbuildingsstood，everywhereasfarasthebasesofthehills，insteadoffieldswaswater，yellowbrown，hereinstillexpanseorslowprogress，theresweepingalonginfiercecurrent。Thequieterpartsofitweredottedwithtrees，dividedbyhedges，shadedwithearsofcorn;upontheswifterpartsfloatedobjectsofallkinds。
Mr。Duffwentwanderingrestlesslyfromonespottoanother，findingnothingtodo。Inthegloaming，whichfellthesoonerthatarain-blanketmilesthickwrapttheearthupfromthesun，hecameacrossfromthebarn，and，enteringthekitchen，dropped，wearywithhopelessness，onachair。
“Icanweelun’erstan’，“hesaid，“whatfortheLordsudsetdoonBonyan’setupLouy，butwhatforhesudgarcorngrow，an’synesen’aspatetosweemawa’wi’’t，that’smairnormortalmancanseethesenseo’——Haudyertongue，Janet。I’mnosayin’there’sonythingwrang;I’msayin’naethingbutthesairtrowth，’atIcannaseethewhat-foro’’t。Icannaseetheguido’’ttillonybody。
A’thing’sonthero’dtotheGermanOcean。Thelan’’sjistmiltin’awa’intillthesea！”
Janetsatsilent，knittinghardatastockingshehadgotholdof，thatJeanhadbegunforherbrother。Sheknewargumentconcerningtheusesofadversitywasvainwithamanwhoknewofnolifebutthatwhichconsistedineatinganddrinking，sleepingandrising，workingandgettingonintheworld：astosuchthingsexistingonlythattheymaysubserveareallife，hewasalmostasignorant，notwithstandinghewasanelderofthechurch，asanyheathen。
>Frombeingnearlyinthecentreofitsownland，thefarm-steadingoftheMainswasataconsiderabledistancefromanyother;butthereweretwoorthreecottagesupontheland，andastheeveningdrewon，anotheragedpair，wholivedinoneonlyafewhundredyardsfromthehouse，madetheirappearance，andweresoonfollowedbythewifeoftheforemanwithherchildren，wholivedfartheroff。
Quicklythenightclosedin，andGibbiewasnotcome。Robertwasgrowingveryuneasy;Janetkeptcomfortingandreassuringhim。
“There’saething，“saidtheoldman：“Oscar’swi’’im。”
“Ay，“respondedJanet，unwilling，inthehearingofothers，tosayawordthatmightseemtosavourofrebuketoherhusband，yetpainedthatheshouldgotothedogforcomfort——“Ay;he’sawell-madeanimal，Oscar！，There’sbeenafowtho’sheep-carepittenintil’im。
Yeseehim’atmade’im，bein’ashepherdhimsel’，kenswhat’swantito’thedog。”——Nonebutherhusbandunderstoodwhatlaybehindthewords。
“Oscar’snowi’im，“saidDonal。“Thedogcamtomei’thebyre，langefterGibbiewasawa’，greitin’like，an’luikin’for’im。”
Robertgaveagreatsigh，butsaidnothing。
Janetdidnotsleepawinkthatnight：shehadsomanytoprayfor。
NotGibbieonly，buteveryoneofherfamilywasinperilsofwaters，allbeingemployedalongthevalleyoftheDaur。Itwasnot，shesaid，confessingtoherhusbandhersleeplessness，thatshewasafraid。Shewasonly“keepin’themcompany，an’haudin’theyettopen，“shesaid。Thelatterphrasewasherpicture-periphraseforpraying。Sheneversaidsheprayed;sheheldthegateopen。ThewonderisbutsmallthatDonalshouldhaveturnedoutapoet。
Thedawnappeared——butthefarmhadvanished。Notevenheadsofgrowingcornwereanywheremoretobeseen。Thelosswouldbesevere，andJohnDuff’sheartsankwithinhim。Thesheepwhichhadbeeninthemownclover-fieldthatslopedtotheburn，werenowallinthecorn-yard，andthewaterwastherewiththem。Iftherisedidnotsooncease，everyrickwouldbeafloat。Therewaslittlecurrent，however，andnothalfthedangertherewouldhavebeenhadthehousesstoodafewhundredyardsinanydirectionfromwheretheywere。
“Takyerbrakfast，John，“saidhissister。
“Latthemtak’athungers，“heanswered。
“Tak，orye’llnohaethewuttosave，“saidJean。
Thereuponhefellto，andate，ifnotwithappetite，thenwithawillthatwaswondrous。
Thefloodstillgrew，andstilltherainpoured，andGibbiedidnotcome。Indeednooneanylongerexpectedhim，whatevermighthavebecomeofhim：exceptbyboattheMainswasinaccessiblenow，theythought。Soonafterbreakfast，notwithstanding，astrangewomancametothedoor。Jean，whoopenedittoherknock，stoodandstaredspeechless。Itwasagreyhairedwoman，withamoredisreputablelookthanherweather-floutedconditionwouldaccountfor。
“Gran’witherforthedeuks！”shesaid。
“Whaurcomeyefrae？”returnedJean，whodidnotrelishthefreedomofheraddress。
“Fraeowerby，“sheanswered。
“An’hoowanyehere？”
“Upo’mytwalegs。”
Jeanlookedthiswayandthatoverthewaterywaste，andagainstaredatthewomaningrowingbewilderment——Theycameafterwardstotheconclusionthatshehadarrived，probablyhalf-drunk，thenightbefore，andpasseditinoneoftheouthouses。
“Yerlegsmaunbelangernortheyluikthan，wuman，“saidJean，glancingatthelowerpartofthestranger’sperson。
Thewomanonlylaughed——alaughwithoutanylaughterinit。
“What’syerwull，noo’atyearehere？”continuedJeanwithseverity。“YecamnatotheMainstotellthemtherewhatkin’o’
watheritwis！”
“IcamwhaurIcudwin，“answeredthewoman;“an’formywull，that’snaethingtonaebodynoo——it’snoasitwasance——though，gienIcudgetit，theremichtbemairnormethebetterfor’t。An’saeasyewadgangthelen’tho’aglaisso’whusky——“
“Yes’getnaewhuskyhere，“interruptedJean，withdetermination。
Thewomangaveasigh，andhalfturnedawayasifshewoulddepart。
Buthowevershemighthavecome，itwasplainlyimpossiblesheshoulddepartandlive。
“Wuman，“saidJean，“kenan’Icarenaethingabootye，an’mair，I
dinnalikeye，northeluiko’ye;andgien’twarafinesimmernicht’atabodycudliethereoot，organgthefarther，Iwadsteekthedoori’yerface;butthatIdaurnadeethedayagain’myneebour’ssoo;saeyecancomeinan’sitdoon’an’，mymin’spoken，yes’getwhat’llhaudthelifei’ye，an’apucklestraei’thebarn。Onlyyemaunjisthaeaquaietsough，forthegudemandisnaliketramps。”
“Trampshere，trampsthere！”exclaimedthewoman，startingintohighdispleasure;“IwadhaeyekenI’manhonestwuman，an’notramp！”
“Yesudnaluiksaelikeanethan，“saidJeancoolly。“Butcomeyerwa’sin，an’Is’saynaethingsaelangasyebehave。”
Thewomanfollowedher，tooktheseatpointedouttoherbythefire，andsullenlyate，withoutawordofthanks，thecakesandmilkhandedher，butseemedtogrowbettertemperedassheate，thoughherblackeyesglowedatthefoodwithsomethingofdisgustandmoreofcontempt：shewouldratherhavehadagillofwhiskythanallthemilkontheMains。OntheothersideofthefiresatJanet，knittingawaybusily，withalookofeaseandleisure。Shesaidnothing，butnowandthencastakindlyglanceoutofhergreyeyesatthewoman：therewasanairofthelostsheepaboutthestranger，which，inwhomsoevershemightseeit，alwaysdrewheraffection。
“Shemaunbeaneo’themtheMaistercam’toca’，“shesaidtoherself。Butshewascarefultosuggestnoapproach，forsheknewthesheepthathaslefttheflockhasgrownwild，andismoresuspiciousandeasilystartledthanoneinthemidstofitsbrethren。
Withthefirstofthelight，someofthemenonthefarmhadsetouttolookforGibbie，wellknowingitwouldbeahardmattertotouchGlashgar。Aboutninetheyreturned，havingfounditimpossible。
Oneofthem，caughtinacurrentandsweptintoahole，hadbarelyescapedwithhislife。ButtheywereunanimousthatthedummiewasbetteroffinanycaveonGlashgarthanhewouldbeinthebestbed-roomattheMains，ifthingswentonastheythreatened。
Roberthadkeptongoingtothebarn，andbackagaintothekitchen，allthemorning，consumedwithanxietyaboutthesonofhisoldage;
butthebarnbegantobeflooded，andhehadtolimithisprayer-walktothespacebetweenthedoorofthehouseandthechairwhereJanetsat——knittingbusily，andprayingwithcountenanceuntroubled，amidsttherushoftheseawardtorrents，themadhowlingandscreechingofthewind，andthelowingoftheimprisonedcattle。
“OLord，“shesaidinhergreattrustingheart，“gienmybonnymanbedroonin’i’thewatter，ordeein’o’cauldonthehill-side，haud’shan’。Binnafarfraehim，OLord;dinnalathimbefleyt。”
ToJanet，whatwecalllifeanddeathwerecomparativelysmallmatters，butshewasverytenderoversufferingandfear。ShedidnotprayhalfsomuchforGibbie’slifeasforthepresencewithhimofhimwhoisatthedeathbedofeverysparrow。Shewentonwaiting，andrefusedtobetroubled。True，shewasnothisbodilymother，butshelovedhimfarbetterthanthemotherwho，insuchadreadforherchild，wouldhavebeenmadwithterror。Thedifferencewas，thatJanetlovedupaswellasdown，loveddownsowidely，sointensely，becausetheLordoflife，whogiveshisowntous，wasmoretoherthananychildcanbetoanymother，andsheknewhecouldnotforsakeherGibbie，andthathispresencewasmoreandbetterthanlife。Shewasunnatural，wasshe？——inhuman？——Yes，iftherebenosuchheartandsourceofhumanityasshebelievedin;
iftherebe，thensuchcalmnessandcourageandcontentashersarethemerehumanandnaturalconditiontobehungeredafterbyeveryaspiringsoul。NotuntilsuchconditionismineshallIbeabletoregardlifeasagodlikegift，exceptinthehopethatitisdrawingnigh。Lethimwhounderstands，understandbetter;lethimnotsaythegoodislessthanperfect，orexcusehissupinenessandspiritualslothbysayingtohimselfthatamancangotoofarinhissearchafterthedivine，canselltoomuchofwhathehastobuythefieldofthetreasure。EitherthereisnoChristofGod，ormyallishis。
Robertseemedatlengthtohaveceasedhiscagedwandering。Foraquarterofanhourhehadbeensittingwithhisfaceburiedinhishands。Janetrose，wentsoftlytohim，andsaidinawhisper：
“IsGibbiewauraff，Robert，i’thiswatterupo’Glashgar，northedissiplesi’theboatupo’yonlocho’Galilee，an’theMaisternocometothem？，Robert，myainman！dinnagartheMaistersaytoyou，Oyeo’littlefaith！，Wharfordidyedoobt？，Takhert，man;theMaisterwadnahaehismenbecooards。”
“Ye’rericht，Janet;ye’reayericht，“answeredRobert，androse。
Shefollowedhimintothepassage。
“Whaurareyegauin’，Robert？”shesaid。
“IwussIcudtellye，“heanswered。“I’mjisthungerin’tobemylane。IwussIhadneverleftGlashgar。There’sayeroomthere。
OrgienIcudwinootamo’therigs！，There’snaneo’themleft，butthere’stherucks——they’renosoomin’yet！，IwanttogangtotheLord，butImaunnaweetWillieMackay’sclaes。”
“It’sasairpeety，“saidJanet，“’atthemenfowkdisnalearntoweyvestockin’s，ordeesomethingoritherwi’theirhan’s。Mony’sthetimemystockin’’sbeenmaistasguid’sacloasettome，thoughIcudnajistgangintil’t。Butwhatmaitters’t！，Aprayeri’thehert’ssuretofin’thero’doot。Thehert’sthelastplace’atcanhaudanein。Aprayin’herthasnaereefrooftill’t。”
Sheturnedandlefthim。Comfortedbyherwords，hefollowedherbackintothekitchen，andsatdownbesideher。
“Gibbie’illbeheremayhapwhanleastyeluikforhim，“saidJanet。
NeitherofthemcaughtthewildeagergleamthatlightedthefaceofthestrangewomanatthoselastwordsofJanet。Shelookedupatherwiththesharpestofglances，butthesameinstantcompelledhercountenancetoresumeitsformerexpressionoffierceindifference，andunderthatbecamewatchfulofeverythingsaidanddone。
Stilltherainfellandthewindblew;thetorrentscametearingdownfromthehills，andshotmadlyintotherivers;theriversranintothevalleys，anddeepenedthelakesthatfilledthem。OneverysideoftheMains，fromthefootofGlashgartoGormdhu，allwasoneyellowandredsea，withroaringcurrentsandvorticesnumberless。
Itburrowedholes，itopenedlong-desertedchannelsandwater-courses;hereitdepositedinchesofrichmould，thereyardsofsandandgravel;hereitwascarryingawayfertileground，leavingbehindonlybarerockorshinglewherethecornhadbeenwaving;thereitwasscoopingoutthebedofanewlake。Manyathicksoftlawn，ofloveliestgrass，dottedwithfragrantshrubsandraretrees，vanished，andnothingwastherewhenthewaterssubsidedbutastonywaste，oragravellyprecipice。Woodsandcopseswereundermined，andtreesandsoiltogethersweptintothevast：
sometimestheveryplacewashardlytheretosayitknewitschildrennomore。Housesweretorntopieces，andtheircontents，asfrombrokenboxes，sentwanderingonthebrownwaste，throughthegreyair，tothediscolouredsea，whosesaltnessforalongwayouthadvanishedwithitshue。Haymowswereburiedtotheverytopinsand;otherswentsailingbodilydownthemightystream——someofthemfollowedorsurrounded，likebigducks，byagreatbroodofricksfortheirducklings。HugetreeswentpastasifshotdownanAlpineslide，cottages，andbridgesofstone，givingwaybeforethem。Woodenmills，thatchedroofs，greatmill-wheels，wentdippingandswayingandhobblingdown。FromtheupperwindowsoftheMains，lookingtowardsthechiefcurrent，theysawadriftofeverythingbelongingtofarmsanddwelling-housesthatwouldfloat。Chairsandtables，chests，carts，saddles，chestsofdrawers，tubsoflinen，bedsandblankets，workbenches，harrows，girnels，planes，cheeses，churns，spinning-wheels，cradles，ironpots，wheel-barrows——alltheseandmanyotherthingshurriedpastastheygazed。Everybodywaslooking，andforatimeallhadbeensilent。
“Lordsaveus！”criedMr。Duff，withagreatstart，andranforhistelescope。
Afour-postbedcamerockingdowntheriver，nowshootingstraightforashortdistance，nowslowlywheeling，nowshivering，struckbysomeswifterthing，nowwhirlinggiddilyroundinsomevortex。Thesoakedcurtainswereflackingandflyinginthegreatwind——and——yes，thetelescoperevealedit！——therewasafigureinit！deadoralivethefarmercouldnottell，butitlaystill！——A
cryburstfromthemall;butonsweptthestrangeboat，boundfortheworldbeyondtheflood，andnonecouldstayitscourse。
Thewaterwasnowinthestableandcow-housesandbarn。Afewminutesmoreanditwouldbecreepingintothekitchen。TheDauranditstributarytheLorriewereabouttomergetheirlastdifferenceonthefloorofJean’sparlour。Worstofall，arapidcurrenthadsetinacrossthefartherendofthestable，whichnoonehadasyetobserved。
Jeanbustledaboutherworkasusual，nor，althoughitwassomuchaugmented，wouldaccepthelpfromanyofherguestsuntilitcametopreparingdinner，whensheallowedJanetandtheforeman’swifetolendherahand。“Thetramp-wife“shewouldnotpermittotouchplateorspoon，knifeorpotato。Thewomanroseinangeratherexclusion，andleavingthehousewadedtothebarn。Thereshewentuptheladdertotheloftwhereshehadslept，andthrewherselfonherstraw-bed。
Astherewasnodoinganywork，Donalwasoutwithtwoofthemen，wadinghereandtherewherethewaterwasnottoodeep，enjoyingthewonderofthestrangelooksandcuriousconjunctionsofthings。
Noneofthemfeltmuchofdismayatthehavocaroundthem：beyondtheirchestswiththeirSundayclothesandatmosttwocleanshirts，neitherofthemenhadanythingtoloseworthmentioning;andforDonal，hewouldgladlyhavegivenevenhisbooksforsuchaploy。
“There’saething，mither，“hesaid，enteringthekitchen，coveredwithmud，arabbitinonehandandalargesalmonintheother，“we’renoliketosterve，wi’sawmoni’thehedges，an’mappiesi’
thetrees！”
Hismasterquestionedhimwithnolittleincredulity。Itwaseasytobelieveinsalmonanywhere，butrabbitsintrees！
“Icatchediti’thebraincheso’alairicklarch，“Donalanswered，“easyeneuch，foritcudnarinfar，an’wasmairfleytatthewatternoratme;butforthesawmon，haithIwasoweran’owerwi’hiti’thewatter，efterIgruppitit，er’Icudca’’tmyain。”
Beforethefloodsubsided，notafewrabbitswerecaughtintrees，mostlyspruce-firsandlarches。Forsalmon，theyweretakeneverywhere——amonggrass，corn，andpotatoes，inbushes，andhedges，andcottages。Onewascaughtonalawnwithanumbrella;onewasreportedtohavebeenfoundinapress-bed;another，coiledroundinapothangingfromthecrook——readytobeboiled，onlythathewasaliveandundressed。
Donalwasstillbeingcross-questionedbyhismasterwhenthestrangewomanre-entered。Lyinguponherstraw，shehadseen，throughthefanlightoverthestabledoor，theswiftnessofthecurrenttherepassing，andunderstoodthedanger。
“Idoobt，“shesaid，addressingnooneinparticular，“thega’leo’
thestablewinnastan’abuneanitherhalf-hoor。”
“Itmaunfa’than，“saidthefarmer，takingapinchofsnuffinhopelessserenity，andturningaway。
“Hoots！”saidthewoman，“dinnaspeykthatgait，sir。It’snowice-like。Takadram，an’takhert，an’dinnaflingthecalfefterthecoo。Whaur’syerboatle，sir？”
Johnpaidnoheedtohersuggestion，butJeantookitup。
“Theboatle’swhauryes’nolayhan’upo’’t，“shesaid。
“Weel，gienyehaenaemercyupo’yerwhusky，yesudhaesomeupo’
yerhorse-beasts，onygait，“saidthewomanindignantly。
“Whatmeanyebythat？”returnedJean，withhardvoice，andeyeofblame。
“Yemightattheleestgiethepuirthingsachance，“thewomanrejoined。
“Hoowadyedeethat？”saidJean。“Gienyelowsedthemtheywadbuttaktothewatterwi’fear，an’droontheseener。”
“Na，na，Jean，“interposedthefarmer，“theywadtakcareo’
themsel’stothelast，an’ayehaudtothedryest，jistasyewadyersel’。”
“Allooin’，“saidthestranger，replyingtoJean，yetspeakingratherasiftoherself，whileshethoughtaboutsomethingelse，“Iwadraitherdroonsoomin’nortiedbytheheid——Butwhat’stheguido’
doctrinewhaurthere’sonythingtobedune？——Yehaewhaurtoputthem——Whatkin’’sthefleersfloorsupthestair，sir？”sheaskedabruptly，turningfullonherhost，withaflashinherdeep-setblackeyes。
“Ow，guiddalefleers——whatither？”answeredthefarmer。“——It’sthewa’s，wuman，nothefleerswehaetobeconcerntabooti’thiswather。”
“Gienthej’istsbestrang，an’weelsetintilthewa’s，whatforsudnayetakthehorseupthestairintilyerbedrooms？，It’llbea’
totheguido’thewa’s，fortheweichto’thebeasts’llbeupo’
themtohaudthemdoon，an’thehaillhooseagain’thewatter。An’
gienIwasyou，Iwadpitthebesto’thekyean’thenowtintiltheparlouran’thekitchenhere。I’mthinkin’we’lllowsethema’
else;forthebyrewa’s’illgangaforethehoose。”
Mr。Duffbrokeintoastrangelaughter。
“Wadyenotakupthecarpetsfirst，wuman？”hesaid。
“Iwad，“sheanswered;“thatgangsohnspeirt——gientherewastime;
butItellyethere’snane;an’ye’llbuytwaorthreecarpetsforthepriceo’aehorse。”
“Haith！thewuman’si’thericht，“hecried，suddenlywakinguptothesenseoftheproposal，andshotfromthehouse。
Allthewomen，Jeanmakingnoexceptiontoanyhelpnow，rushedtocarrythebedsandblanketstothegarret。
JustasMr。Duffenteredthestablefromthenearerend，theoppositegablefelloutwithagreatsplash，lettinginthewidelevelvisionofturbidlyragingwaters，fadingintotheobscurityofthewind-drivenrain。Whilehestaredaghast，agreattreestruckthewalllikeabattering-ram，sothatthestableshook。Thehorses，whichhadbeenforsometimemovinguneasily，werenowquitescared。Therewasnotamomenttobelost。Duffshoutedforhismen;oneortwocamerunning;andinlessthanaminutemorethoseinthehouseheardtheiron-shodfeetsplashingandstampingthroughthewater，as，oneafteranother，thehorseswerebroughtacrosstheyardtothedoorofthehouse。Mr。DuffledbythehalterhisfavouriteSnowball，whowasagooddealexcited，plungingandrearingsothatitwasallhecoulddotoholdhim。Hehadorderedthementotaketheothersfirst，thinkinghewouldfollowmorequietly。ButthemomentSnowballheardthefirstthunderingofhoofsonthestair，hewentoutofhissenseswithterror，brokefromhismaster，andwentplungingbacktothestable。Duffdartedafterhim，butwasonlyintimetoseehimrushfromthefurtherendintotheswiftcurrent，wherehewasatonceoutofhisdepth，andwasinstantlycaughtandhurried，rollingoverandover，fromhismaster’ssight。Heranbackintothehouse，anduptothehighestwindow。Fromthathecaughtsightofhimalongwaydown，swimming。
Onceortwicehesawhimturnedheelsoverhead——onlytogethisneckupagainpresently，andswimaswellasbefore。Butalas！itwasinthedirectionoftheDaur，whichwouldsoon，hismasterdidnotdoubt，sweephiscarcaseintotheNorthSea。Withtroubledhearthestrainedhissightafterhimaslongashecoulddistinguishhislesseninghead，butitgotamongstsomewreck，andunabletotellanymorewhetherhesawitornot，hereturnedtohismenwithhiseyesfulloftears。
CHAPTERXXXIV。
GLASHRUACH。
AssoonasGibbiehadfoundastallforCrummie，andthrownagreatdinnerbeforeher，heturnedandspedbackthewayhehadcome：
therewasnotimetoloseifhewouldhavethebridgetocrosstheLorrieby;andhiswasindeedthelastfootthatevertouchedit。
Guidinghimselfbywell-knownpointsyetsalient，forheknewthecountryperhapsbetterthananymanbornandbredinit，hemadestraightforGlashgar，itselfhidintherain。Nowwading，nowswimming，nowwalkingalongthetopofawall，nowcaughtandbaffledinahedge，Gibbieheldstoutlyon。Againandagainhegotintoacurrent，andwassweptfromhisdirection，buthesoonmadehisleewaygood，andatlengthclearofthelevelwater，andwithonlythetorrentstomind，seatedhimselfonastoneunderarockalittlewayupthemountain。Therehedrewfromhispockettheputty-likemasstowhichthewaterhadreducedthecakeswithwhichitwasfilled，andateitgladly，eyeingfromhissheltertheslantinglinesoftherain，andtherushingseafromwhichhehadjustemerged。Solostwasthelandbeneaththewater，thathehadtothinktobecertainunderwhichoftheroofs，lookinglikesomanyfounderedNoah’sarks，hehadlefthisfatherandmother。Ah！
yonderwerecattle！——ascoreofheads，listlesslydriftingdown，alltheswimoutofthem，theirlonghorns，likebitsofdrybranches，knockingtogether！，Therewasapig，andthereanother！，And，alas！
yonderfloatedhalfadozenhelplessspongesofsheep！
Atsightoftheselasthestartedtohisfeet，andsetoffupthehill。Itwasnotsohardastruggleastocrossthewater，buthehadstilltogettotheothersideofseveraltorrentsfarmoredangerousthananycurrenthehadbeenin。Againandagainhehadtoascendalongdistancebeforehefoundapossibleplacetocrossat;buthereachedthefoldatlast。
Itwasinalittlevalleyopeningonthatwherelaythetarn。
Swollentoalake，thewatersofitwerenowattheverygateofthepen。ForamomentheregrettedhehadnotbroughtOscar，butthenexthesawthatnotmuchcouldwithanyhelphavebeendoneforthesheep，beyondwhattheycould，ifatliberty，doforthemselves。
Leftwheretheyweretheywouldprobablybedrowned;ifnottheywouldbestarved;butifheletthemgo，theywouldkeepoutofthewater，andfindforthemselveswhatfoodandshelterweretobehad。
Heopenedthegate，drovethemout，andalittlewayupthehillandleftthem。
Bythistimeitwasabouttwoo’clock，andGibbiewasveryhungry。
Hehadhadenoughofthewaterforoneday，however，andwasnotinclinedtoreturntotheMains。Wherecouldhegetsomethingtoeat？，Ifthecottagewerestillstanding——anditmightbe——hewouldfindplentythere。Heturnedtowardsit。Greatwashispleasurewhen，afteranotherlongstruggle，heperceivedthatnotonlywasthecottagethere，butthetorrentgone：eithertheflowfromthemountainhadceased，orthecourseofthewaterhadbeendiverted。
WhenhereachedtheGlashburn，whichlaybetweenhimandthecottage，hesawthatthetorrenthadfounditswayintoit，probablyalongwithothersofthesamebrood，foritwasfrightfullyswollen，andwentshootingdowntoGlashruachlikeonelongcataract。Hehadtogoagreatwayupbeforehecouldcrossit。
Whenatlengthhereachedhome，hediscoveredthattheovershootingstreammusthaveturnedasideverysoonaftertheyleft，fortheplacewasnotmuchworsethanthen。Hesweptoutthewaterthatlayonthefloor，tookthedryestpeatshecouldfind，succeededwiththetinder-boxandsulphur-matchatthefirstattempt，lightedalargefire，andmadehimselfsomewater-brose——whichisnotonlythemosteasilycookedofdishes，butisasgoodasanyforayouthofcapacityforstrongfood。
Hishungerappeased，hesatrestinginRobert’schair，graduallydrying;andfallingasleep，sleptforanhourorso。Whenhewoke，hetookhisNewTestamentfromthecrapo’thewa’，andbegantoread。
OflatehehadmadeafewattemptsupononeandanotheroftheEpistles，but，notunderstandingwhatheread，hadnotfoundprofit，andwasonthepointofturningfinallyfromthemforthepresent，whenhiseyefallingonsomeofthewordsofSt。John，hisattentionwasatoncecaught，andhehadsoonsatisfiedhimself，tohiswonderandgladness，thathisFirstEpistlewasnosealedbookanymorethanhisGospel。TothethirdchapterofthatEpistlehenowturned，andreaduntilhecametothesewords：“HerebyperceivewetheloveofGod，becausehelaiddownhislifeforus，andweoughttolaydownourlivesforthebrethren。”
“Whatlearnedhimthat？”saidGibbietohimself;JanethadtaughthimtosearchtheteachingoftheapostlesforwhattheMasterhadtaughtthem。Hethoughtandthought，andatlastremembered“Thisismycommandment，thatyeloveoneanotherasIhavelovedyou。”
“AndhereamI，“saidGibbietohimself，“sittin’hereinidleseat，wi’myfire，an’mybrose，an’myBible，anda’thewarl’aneathGlashgarlyin’inaspeatflood！，Icannalaydoonmylifetosavetheirsowls;ImaunsaveforthemwhatIcan——itmaybebutahenoracalf。Imaundeethewarkso’him’atsentme——he’sayesavin’atmen。”
TheBiblewasbackinitsplace，andGibbieoutofthedoorthesamemoment。Hehadnotanideawhathewasgoingtodo。Allheyetunderstoodwas，thathemustgodownthehill，tobewherethingsmighthavetobedone——andthatbeforethedarknessfell。Hemustgowheretherewerepeople。Ashewenthisheartwasfullofjoy，asifhehadalreadyachievedsomedeliverance。Downthehillhewentsinginganddancing。Ifmerebattlewithstormwasadelighttotheboy，whatwouldnotamortaltusslewiththeelementsfortheloveofmenbe？，Thethoughtitselfwasaheavenlyfelicity，andmadehim“happyasalover。”
Hisfirstdefinitelydirectivethoughtwas，thathisnearestneighbourswerelikelyenoughtobeintrouble——“thefowkatthemucklehoose。”，Hewouldgothitherstraight。
Glashruach，asIhavealreadysaid，stoodononeoftherootsofGlashgar，wherethemountainsettlesdownintothevalleyoftheDaur。ImmediatelyoutsideitsprincipalgaterantheGlashburn;ontheothersideofthehouse，withinthegrounds，ranasmallerhill-stream，alreadymentionedaspassingcloseunderGinevra’swindow。BoththesefellintotheLorrie。Betweenthemthemountainslopedgentlyupforsomelittledistance，clothedwithforest。Onthesideofthesmallerburn，however，thesideoppositethehouse，thegroundroseabruptly。Therealsogrewfirs，butthesoilwasshallow，withrockimmediatelybelow，andtheyhadnotcometomuch。
Straightfromthemountain，betweenthetwostreams，Gibbieapproachedthehouse，throughlarchesandpines，ravingandroaringinthewind。Ashedrewnearer，andsawhowhighthehousestoodabovethevalleyanditswaters，hebegantothinkhehadbeenfoolishincomingtheretofindwork;butwhenhereachedacertainpointwhencetheapproachfromthegatewasvisible，hestarted，stoppedandstared。Herubbedhiseyes。No;hewasnotasleepanddreamingbythecottagefire;thewindwasabouthim，andthefirswerehowlingandhissing;therewasthecloudymountain，withtheGlashburn，fiftytimesitsusualsize，dartinglikebrownlightningfromit;butwherewastheirongatewithitstwostonepillars，crestedwithwolf’s-heads？wherewasthebridge？wherewasthewall，andthegravelledroadtothehouse？，Hadhemistakenhisbearings？
washelookinginawrongdirection？，Belowhimwasawide，swift，fiercelyrushingriver，wherewaterwasnonebefore！，No;hemadenomistake：therewastherestoftheroad，theendofitnextthehouse！，Thatwasagreatpieceofitthatfellfrothingintotheriverandvanished！，Bridgeandgateandwallweregoneutterly。
Theburnhadswallowedthem，andnow，foamingwithmadness，wasroaringalong，agreatwaywithinthegrounds，andrapidlydrawingnearertothehouse，tearingtopiecesanddevouringallthatdefendedit。There！whatamouthfuloftheshrubberyitgobbledup！
Slowly，graciously，thetalltreesbowedtheirheadsandsankintothetorrent，butthemomenttheytouchedit，shotawaylikearrows。
Wouldthefoundationsofthehouseoutstandit？，WeretheyasstrongasthewallsofBabylon，yetifthewaterunderminedthem，downtheymust！，Didthelairdknowthattheenemywaswithinhisgates？，Notwithallhehadthatdayseenandgonethrough，hadGibbieuntilnowgatheredanynotionoftheforceofrushingwater。
Rousinghimselffromhisbewilderedamazement，hedarteddownthehill。Iftheotherburnwasbehavinginlikefashion，thenindeedthefateofthehousewassealed。Butno;hugeandwildasthatwasalso，itwasnotabletoteardownitsbanksofrock。Fromthatsidethehousedidnotseemindanger。
Mr。Galbraithhadgoneagain，leavingGinevratothecareofMistressMacFarlane，withastrictordertoboth，andfullauthoritytothelattertoenforceit，thatsheshouldnotsetfootacrossthethresholdonanypretext，oronthesmallestexpedition，withoutthehousekeeper’sattendance。HemusttakeJosephwithhim，hesaid，ashewasgoingtotheDuke’s，butshecouldsendforAngusuponanyemergency。
Thelairdhadoflatebeensolittleathome，thattheestablishmenthadbeenmuchreduced;MistressMacFarlanedidmostofthecookingherself;hadquarrelledwiththehousemaidandnotyetgotanother;
and，Niciedismissed，andthekitchenmaidgonetovisithermother，wasleftaloneinthehousewithherMistress，ifsuchwecancallherwhowasreallyherprisoner。Atthismoment，however，shewasnotalone，forontheothersideofthefiresatAngus，notthitherattractedbyanyfriendshipforthehousekeeper，butbytheglassofwhiskyofwhichhesippedashetalked。ManyafloodhadAngusseen，andsomethathaddonefrightfuldamage，butneveronethathadcausedhimanxiety;andalthoughthiswasworsethananyoftherest，hehadnotyetanotionhowbaditreallywas。For，astherewasnothingtobedoneoutofdoors，andliewasnotfondofbeingidle，hehadbeenbusyallthemorninginthewoodhouse，sawingandsplittingforthewinter-store，andworkingthebetterthatheknewwhathonorariumawaitedhisappearanceinthekitchen。Inthewoodhouseheonlyheardthewindandtherainandtheroar，hesawnothingoftheflood;whenheenteredthekitchen，itwasbythebackdoor，andhesattherewithoutthesmallestsuspicionofwhatwasgoingoninfront。
GinevrahadhadnocompanionsinceNicielefther，andherdayshadbeenverydreary，butthisdayhadbeenthedreariestinherlife。
MistressMacFarlanemadeherselfsodisagreeablethatshekeptawayfromherasmuchasshecould，spendingmostofhertimeinherownroom，withherneedleworkandsomebooksofpoetryshehadfoundinthelibrary。Butthepoetryhadturnedoutverydull——notatalllikewhatDonalread，andthrowingoneofthemasideforthetenthtimethatday，shewanderedlistlesslytothewindow，andstoodtheregazingoutonthewildconfusion——theburnroaringbelow，thetreesoppositereadytobetorntopiecesbythewind，andthevalleybeneathcoveredwithstormywater。Thetumultwassoloud，thatshedidnothearagentleknockatherdoor：assheturnedaway，wearyofeverything，shesawitsoftlyopen——andtheretoherastonishmentstoodGibbie——come，sheimagined，toseekshelter，becausetheircottagehadbeenblowndown——Calculatingthepositionofherroomfromwhatheknewofitswindows，hehad，withtheexperiencedjudgmentofamountaineer，gonetoitalmostdirect。
“Youmustn’tcomehere，Gibbie，“shesaid，advancing。“Godowntothekitchen，toMistressMacFarlane。Shewillseetowhatyouwant。”
Gibbiemadeeagersignstohertogowithhim。Sheconcludedthathewantedhertoaccompanyhimtothekitchenandspeakforhim;butknowingthatwouldonlyenrageherkeeperwiththemboth，sheshookherhead，andwentbacktothewindow。Shethought，assheapproachedit，thereseemedalullinthestorm，butthemomentshelookedout，shegaveacryofastonishment，andstoodstaring。
Gibbiehadfollowedherassoftlyasswiftly，andlookingoutalso，sawgoodcauseindeedforherastonishment：thechanneloftheragingburnwasallbutdry！，Instantlyheunderstoodwhatitmeant。
Inhisimpotencetopersuade，hecaughtthegirlinhisarms，andrushedwithherfromtheroom。Shehadfaithenoughinhimbythistimenottostruggleorscream。Heshotdownthestairwithher，andoutofthefrontdoor。Herweightwasnothingtohisexcitedstrength。Themomenttheyissued，andshesawtheGlashburnravingalongthroughthelawn，withlittlemorethanthebreadthofthedrivebetweenitandthehouse，shesawthenecessityofescape，thoughshedidnotperceivehalfthedirenecessityforhaste。
Everyfewmoments，agreatgushwoulddashouttwelveorfifteenyardsoverthegravelandsinkagain，carryingmanyfeetofthebankwithit，andwideningbysomuchtheragingchannel。
“Putmedown，Gibbie，“shesaid;“Iwillrunasfastasyoulike。”
Heobeyedatonce。
“Oh！”shecried，“MistressMacFarlane！——Iwonderifsheknows。Runandknockatthekitchenwindow。”
Gibbiedartedoff，gavethreeloudhurriedtapsonthewindow，cameflyingback，tookGinevra’shandinhis，drewherontillshewasatherfullspeed，turnedsharptotheleftroundthecornerofthehouse，andshotdowntotheemptychanneloftheburn。Astheycrossedit，eventotheinexperiencedeyesofthegirlitwasplainwhathadcausedthephenomenon。Ashortdistanceupthestream，thewholefacingofitsloftyrightbankhadslippeddownintoitschannel。Notatree，notashrub，notabedofmosswastobeseen;
allwasbarewetrock。Aconfusedheapofmould，withbranchesandrootsstickingoutofitinalldirections，layatitsfoot，closingtheviewupward。Theothersideoftheheapwasbeatenbytheragingburn。Theycouldhear，thoughtheycouldnotseeit。Anymomentthebarriermightgiveway，andthewaterresumeitscourse。
Theymadehaste，therefore，toclimbtheoppositebank。Inplacesitwasverysteep，andthesoilslippedsothatoftenitseemedonitswaywiththemtothebottom，whilethewindthreatenedtouprootthetreestowhichtheyclung，andcarrythemoffthroughtheair。
Itwaswithafiercescrambletheygainedthetop。Thenthesightwasagrandone。Thearrestedwaterswirledandbeatandfoamedagainstthelandslip，thenrushedtotheleft，throughthewood，overbushesandstones，araggingriver，thewindtearingoffthetopsofitswaves，totheGlashburn，intowhichitplunged，swellingyethigheritshugevolume。Rapidlyitcutforitselfanewchannel。Everymomentatreefellandshotwithitlikearocket。
Lookingupitscourse，theysawitcomedownthehillsideawhitestreak，andburstintoboilingbrownandroarattheirfeet。Thewindnearlysweptthemfromtheirplace;buttheyclungtothegreatstones，andsawtheairytorrent，asifemulatingthatbelowit，fillitselfwithbranchesandleavesandlumpsoffoam。ThenfirstGinevrabecamefullyawareofthedangerinwhichthehousewas，andfromwhichGibbiehadrescuedher。Augmentedinvolumeandrapiditybythejunctionofitsneighbour，theGlashburnwasnowwithinayard——soitseemedfromthatheightatleast——ofthedoor。Buttheymustnotlinger。Thenearestaccessibleshelterwasthecottage，andGibbieknewitwouldneedallGinevra’sstrengthtoreachit。
Againhetookherbythehand。
“Butwhere’sMistressMacFarlane？”shesaid。“Oh，Gibbie！wemustn’tleaveher。”
Herepliedbypointingdowntothebedofthestream：thereweresheandAnguscrossing。Ginevra，wassatisfiedwhenshesawthegamekeeperwithher，andtheysetout，asfastastheycouldgo，ascendingthemountain，Gibbieeagertohaveherinwarmthandsafetybeforeitwasdark。
Bothburnswerenowbetweenthemandthecottage，whichgreatlyaddedtotheirdifficulties。Thesmallerburncamefromthetarn，androundthattheymustgo，elseGinevrawouldnevergettotheothersideofit;andthentherewastheGlashburntocross。Itwasanundertakinghardforanygirl，especiallysuchforoneunaccustomedtoexertion;andwhatmadeitfarworsewasthatshehadonlyhouse-shoes，whichwerecontinuallycomingoffassheclimbed。Buttheexcitementofbattlingwiththestorm，thejoyofadventure，andthepleasureoffeelingherownstrength，sustainedherwellforalongtime;andinsuchwindandrain，theabsenceofbonnetandcloakwasanadvantage，solongasexertionkeptherwarm。Gibbiedidhisbesttotiehershoesonwithstripsofherpockethandkerchief;butwhenatlasttheywereofnomoreuse，hepulledoffhiscorduroyjacket，toreoutthesleeves，andwithstripsfromthebacktiedthemaboutherfeetandankles。Herhairalsowasatrouble：itwouldkeepblowinginhereyes，andinGibbie’stoo，andthatsometimeswithquiteasharplash。Butsheneverlosthercourage，andGibbie，thoughhecouldnotheartenherwithwords，wassoreadywithsmileandlaugh，wassocheerful——evenmerry，sofearless，sofreefromdoubtandanxiety，whiledoingeverythinghecouldthinkoftolessenhertoilandpain，thatshehardlyfeltinhissilenceanylack;whileoften，torestherbody，andwithdrawhermindfromhersufferings，hemadeherstopandlookbackonthestrangescenebehindthem。ItwasgettingdarkwhentheyreachedtheonlyspotwherehejudgeditpossibletocrosstheGlashburn。Hecarriedherover，andthenitwasalldown-hilltothecottage。Onceinsideit，GinevrathrewherselfintoRobert’schair，andlaughed，andcried，andlaughedagain。Gibbieblewupthepeats，madeagoodfire，andputonwatertoboil;thenopenedJanet’sdrawers，andhavingsignifiedtohiscompaniontotakewhatshecouldfind，wenttothecowhouse，threwhimselfonaheapofwetstraw，wornout，andhadenoughtodotokeephimselffromfallingasleep。Alittlerested，heroseandre-enteredthecottage，whenamerrylaughfrombothofthemwentringingoutintothestorm：thelittleladywasdressedinJanet’sworkdaygarments，andmakingporridge。Shelookedveryfunny。Gibbiefoundplentyofmilkinthedairyundertherock，andtheyatetheirsuppertogetheringladness。ThenGibbiepreparedthebedinthelittleclosetforhisguestandshesleptasifshehadnotsleptforaweek。
Gibbiewokewiththefirstofthedawn。Therainstillfell——descendinginspoonfulsratherthandrops;thewindkeptshapingitselfintolonghopelesshowls，risingtoshrillyellsthatwentdriftingawayovertheland;andthenthehowlingroseagain。
Natureseemedindespair。TheremustbemoreforGibbietodo！，Hemustgoagaintothefootofthemountain，andseeiftherewasanybodytohelp。TheymightevenbeintroubleattheMains，whocouldtell！
Ginevrawoke，rose，madeherselfastidyasshecould，andlefthercloset。Gibbiewasnotinthecottage。Sheblewupthefire，and，findingthepotreadybesideit，withcleanwater，setitontoboil。Gibbiedidnotcome。Thewaterboiled。Shetookitoff，butbeinghungry，putitonagain。Severaltimesshetookitoffandputitonagain。Gibbienevercame。Shemadeherselfsomeporridgeatlast。Everythingnecessarywasuponthetable，andasshepoureditintothewoodendishforthepurpose，shetooknoticeofaslatebesideit，withsomethingwrittenuponit。Thewordswere，“IwillcumbackassoonasIcann。”
Shewasalone，then！，Itwasdreadful;butshewastoohungrytothinkaboutit。Sheateherporridge，andthenbegantocry。ItwasveryunkindofGibbietoleaveher，shesaidtoherself，Butthenhewasasortofangel，anddoubtlesshadtogoandhelpsomebodyelse。Therewasalittlepileofbooksonthetable，whichhemusthaveleftforher。Shebeganexaminingthem，andsoonfoundsomethingtointeresther，sothatanhourortwopassedquickly。
ButGibbiedidnotreturn，andthedaywentwearily。Shecriednowandthen，madegreateffortstobepatient，succeededprettywellforawhile，andcriedagain。Shereadandgrewtiredadozentimes;atecakesandmilk，criedafresh，andateagain。StillGibbiedidnotcome。Beforethedaywasover，shehadhadagoodlessoninpraying。Forhereshewas，onewhohadneveryetactedonherownresponsibility，aloneonabaremountain-side，intheheartofastormwhichseemedasifitwouldnevercease，andnotacreatureknewwhereshewasbutthedumbboy，andhehadlefther！
Ifheshouldnevercomeback，whatwouldbecomeofher？，Shecouldnotfindherwaydownthemountain;andifshecould，wherewasshetogo，withallDaursideunderwater？，Shewouldsoonhaveeatenupallthefoodinthecottage，andthestormmightgoonforever，whocouldtell？，Orwhocouldtellwhether，whenitwasover，andshegotdowntothevalleybelow，sheshouldnotfinditalifelessdesert，everybodydrowned，andherselftheonlypersonleftaliveintheworld？
Thenthenoiseswereterrible。Sheseemedtoinhabitnoise。
Throughthegeneralroarofwindandwaterandraineverynowthencameasharpersound，likeareportorcrack，followedbyastrangelowthunder，asitseemed。Theywerethenoisesofstonescarrieddownbythestreams，grindingagainsteachother，anddashedstoneagainststone;andofrocksfallingandrolling，andboundingagainsttheirfast-rootedneighbours。Whenitbegantogrowdark，hermiseryseemedmorethanshecouldbear;butthen，happily，shegrewsleepy，andsleptthedarknessaway。
Withthenewlightcamenewpromiseandfreshhope。WhatshouldwepoorhumansdowithoutourGod’snightsandmornings？，Ourillsarealleasiertohelpthanweknow——excepttheoneillofacentralself，whichGodhimselffindsithardtohelp——Itnolongerrainedsofiercely;thewindhadfallen;andthestreamsdidnotrunsofuriousaracedownthesidesofthemountain。Sherantotheburn，gotsomewatertowashherself——shecouldnotsparetheclearwater，ofwhichtherewassomestillleftinJanet’spails——andputonherownclothes，whichwerenowquitedry。Thenshegotherselfsomebreakfast，andafterthattriedtosayherprayers，butfounditverydifficult，for，dowhatshemighttomodelherslipperythoughts，shecouldnothelp，asoftenassheturnedherselftowardshim，seeingGodlikeherfather，thelaird。
CHAPTERXXXV。
THEWHELP。
Gibbiespeddownthehillthroughaworserainthanever。Themorningwasclose，andthevapoursthatfilleditwerelikesmokeburnedtothehueoftheflameswhenceitissued。Manyamanthatmorningbelievedanothergreatdelugebegun，andallmeasuresrelatingtothingsofthisworldlostlabour。GoingdownhisownsideoftheGlashburn，thenearestpathtothevalley，thegamekeeper’scottagewasthefirstdwellingonhisway。Itstoodalittledistancefromthebankoftheburn，oppositethebridgeandgate，whilesuchthingswere。
Ithadbeenwithgreatdifficulty，forevenAngusdidnotknowthemountainsowellasGibbie，thatthegamekeeperreacheditwiththehousekeeperthenightbefore。ItwaswithintwogunshotsofthehouseofGlashruach，yettogettoittheyhadtowalkmilesupanddownGlashgar。Amountaininstormisashardtocrossasasea。
Arrived，theydidnotthereforefeelsafe。ThetendencyoftheGlashburnwasindeedawayfromthecottage，asthegroundsofGlashruachsadlywitnessed;butatorrentisdouble-edged，andwhocouldtell？，Theyieldingofonestoneinitschannelmightsendittothem。AllnightAnguswatched，peeringouteveragainintothedarkness，butseeingnothingsavethreelightsthatburnedabovethewater——oneofthem，hethought，attheMains。Theothertwowentoutinthedarkness，butthatonlyinthedawn。Whenthemorningcame，therewastheGlashburnmeetingtheLorrieinhisgarden。Butthecottagewaswellbuilt，andfittostandagoodsiege，whileanymomentthewatersmighthavereachedtheirheight。Bybreakfasttime，however，theywererounditfrombehind。Thereisnothinglikeafloodforrevealingthevariationsofsurface，thedipsandswellsofacountry。Inafewminutestheywereisolated，withthecurrentoftheGlashburnononeside，andthatoftheLorrieinfront。Whenhesawthewatercomeinatfrontandbackdoorsatonce，Angusorderedhisfamilyupthestair：thecottagehadalargeattic，withdormerwindows，wheretheyslept。Hehimselfremainedbelowforsometimelonger，inthatendofthehousewherehekepthisgunsandfishing-tackle;therehesatonatable，preparingnetsforthefishthatwouldbeleftinthepools;andnotuntilhefoundhimselfafloatdidhetakehisworktotheattic。
Theretheroomwashot，andtheyhadthewindowopen。MistressMacPholpstoodatit，lookingoutontheawfulprospect，withheryoungestchild，asicklyboy，inherarms。Hehadinhisalittleterrier-pup，greatlyvaluedofthegamekeeper。Inasuddenoutbreakofpeevishwilfulness，hethrewthecreatureoutofthewindow。Itfellonthesloopingroof，andbeforeitcouldrecoveritself，beingtooyoungtohavethefullcommandoffourlegs，rolledoff。
“Eh！thedoggie’si’thewatter！”criedMistressMacPholpindismay。
Angusthrewdowneverythingwithanuglyoath，forhehadgivenstrictordersnotoneofthechildrenshouldhandlethewhelp，jumpedup，andgotoutontheroof。Fromtherehemighthavemanagedtoreachit，sohighnowwasthewater，hadthelittlethingremainedwhereitfell，butalreadyithadswamayardortwofromthehouse。Angus，whowasafairswimmerandanangryman，threwoffhiscoat，andplungedafterit，greatlytothedelightofthelittleone，caughtthepupwithhisteethbythebackoftheneck，andturnedtomakeforthehouse。Justthenashrub，sweptfromthehill，caughthimintheface，andsobewilderedhim，that，beforehegotridofit，hehadblunderedintotheedgeofthecurrent，whichseizedandborehimrapidlyaway。Hedroppedthepup，andstruckoutforhomewithallhisstrength。Buthesoonfoundthemosthecoulddowastokeephisheadabovewater，andgavehimselfupforlost。Hiswifescreamedinagony。Gibbieheardherashecamedownthehill，andranatfullspeedtowardsthecottage。
Aboutahundredyardsfromthehouse，thecurrentboreAngusstraightintoalargeeldertree。Hegotintothemiddleofit，andthereremainedtrembling，theweakbranchesbreakingwitheverymotionhemade，whilethestreamworkedattheroots，andthewindlaidholdofhimwithfierceleverage。Interror，seemingstilltosinkashesat，hewatchedthetreesdartbylikebattering-ramsintheswiftestofthecurrent：theleastofthemdivergingwouldteartheeldertreewithit。Braveenoughindealingwithpoachers，Anguswasnotthemantogazewithcomposureinthefaceofasureslowdeath，againstwhichnoassaultcouldbemade。Manyamaniscourageousbecausehehasnotconscienceenoughtomakeacowardofhim，butAngushadnotquitereachedthatcondition，andfromthebranchesoftheeldertreeshowedapale，terror-strickenvisage。
Amidstthemanyobjectsonthefaceofthewater，Gibbie，however，didnotdistinguishit，andplunginginswamroundtothefrontofthecottagetolearnwhatwasthematter。Therethewife’sgesticulationsdirectedhiseyestoherdrowninghusband。
Butwhatwashetodo？，Hecouldswimtothetreewellenough，and，hethought，backagain，buthowwasthattobemadeofservicetoAngus？，Hecouldnotsavehimbymainforce——therewasnotenoughofthatbetweenthem。Ifhehadaline，andtheremustbeplentyoflinesinthecottage，hewouldcarryhimtheendofittohaulupon——thatwoulddo。Ifhecouldsendittohimthatwouldbebetterstill，forthenhecouldhelpattheotherend，andwouldbeintherightposition，upstream，tohelpfarther，ifnecessary，fordownthecurrentalonewasthepathofcommunicationopen。Hecaughtholdoftheeaves，andscrambledontotheroof。Butinthefollyandfaithlessnessofherdespair，thewomanwouldnotlethimenter。Withacursecaughtfromherhusband，shestruckhimfromthewindow，crying，“Yes’nocomeinhere，an’mymandroonin’yon’er！，Gangtill’im，yecooard！”
NeverhadpoorGibbiesomuchmissedtheuseofspeech。Ontheslopeoftheroofhecoulddolittletoforceanentrance，thereforethrewhimselfoffittoseekanother，andbetookhimselftothewindowsbelow。ThroughthatofAngus’sroom，hecaughtsightofafloatingankercask。Itwastheverything！——andthereonthewallshungaquantityofnetsandcordage！，Buthowtogetin？，Itwasasash-window，andofcourseswollenwiththewet，thereforenottobeopened;andtherewasnotasquareinitlargeenoughtolethimthrough。Heswamtotheotherside，andcreptsoftlyontotheroof，andovertheridge。Butabrokenslatebetrayedhim。Thewomansawhim，rushedtothefire-place，caughtupthepoker，anddartedbacktodefendthewindow。
“Yes’nocomeinhere，Itellye，“shescreeched，“an’mymanstickin’i’yonboortreebuss！”
Gibbieadvanced。Shemadeablowathimwiththepoker。Hecaughtit，wrencheditfromhergrasp，andthrewhimselffromtheroof。
Thenextmomenttheyheardthepokeratwork，smashingthewindow。
“He’llbeinan’murder’sa’！”criedthemother，andrantothestair，whilethechildrenscreamedanddancedwithterror。
Butthewaterwasfartoodeepforher，Shereturnedtotheattic，barricadedthedoor，andwentagaintothewindowtowatchherdrowninghusband。
Gibbiewasinsideinamoment，andseizingthecask，proceededtoattachtoitastrongline。Hebrokeabitfromafishing-rod，securedthelineroundthemiddleofitwithanotch，putthestickthroughthebungholeinthebilge，andcorkeduptheholewithanet-float。Happilyhehadaknifeinhispocket。Hethenjoinedstronglinestogetheruntilhethoughthehadlengthenough，securedthelastendtoabarofthegrate，andknockedoutbothsashesofthewindowwithanaxe。Apassagethuscleared，hefloatedoutfirstachair，thenacreepie，andonethingafteranother，tolearnfromwhatpointtostartthebarrel。Seeingandrecognizingthemfromabove，MistressMacPholpraisedaterribleoutcry。Intheverypresenceofherdrowninghusband，suchawantondissipationofherpropertyrousedhertofiercestwrath，forsheimaginedGibbiewasemptyingherhousewithleisurelyrevenge。Satisfiedatlength，hefloatedouthisbarrel，andfollowedwiththelineinhishand，toaiditsdirectionifnecessary。Itstruckthetree。WithayellofjoyAnguslaidholdofit，andhaulingthelinetaut，andfeelingitsecure，committedhimselfatoncetothewater，holdingbythebarrel，andswimmingwithhislegs，whileGibbie，awaytothesidewithaholdoftherope，wasswimminghishardesttodrawhimoutofthecurrent。ButawearymanwasAngus，whenatlengthhereachedthehouse。Itwasallhecoulddotogethimselfinatthewindow，andcrawlupthestair。Atthetopofithefellbenumbedonthefloor。
Bythetimethat，repentantandgrateful，MistressMacPholpbethoughtherselfofGibbie，notatraceofhimwastobeseen;andAngus，contemplatinghispresentexperienceinconnectionwiththatofRobertGrant’scottage，cametotheconclusionthathemustbeanemissaryofSatanwhoontwosuchoccasionshadsounexpectedlyrescuedhim。Perhapstheideawasnotquitesoillogicalasitmustseem;forhowshouldsuchamanimagineanyothersortofmessengertakinganinterestinhislife？，Hewasconfirmedinthenotionwhenhefoundthatayardofthelineremainedattachedtothegrate，buttherestofitwiththeankerwasgone——fitbarkfortheangelheimaginedGibbie，toridethestormywaterswithal。Whiletheylookedforhiminthewaterandontheland，Gibbiewasagainintheroombelow，carryingoutafreshthought。Withthehelpofthetable，heemptiedthecask，intowhichagooddealofwaterhadgot。
Thenhetookoutthestick，corkedthebungholetight，lacedthecaskupinapieceofnet，attachedthelinetothenet，andwounditaboutthecaskbyrollingthelatterroundandround，tookthecaskbetweenhishands，andpushedfromthewindowstraightintothecurrentoftheGlashburn。InamomentithadswepthimtotheLorrie。Bythegreaterrapidityoftheformerhegoteasilyacrosstheheaviercurrentofthelatter，andwaspresentlyinwatercomparativelystill，swimmingquietlytowardstheMains，andenjoyinghistripnonethelessthathehadtokeepasharplook-out：ifheshouldhavetodive，toavoidanydriftingobject，hemightlosehisbarrel。Quicklynow，hadhebeensominded，hecouldhavereturnedtothecity——changingvesselforvessel，asoneafteranotherwenttopieces。Manyahouse-roofoffereditselfforthevoyage;nowandthenagreatwater-wheel，horizontalandhelpless，devouredofitselement。Oncehesawacradlecomegyratingalong，and，urgingallhismight，interceptedit，buthardlyknewwhetherhewasmoresorryorrelievedtofinditempty。
Whenhewasabouthalf-waytotheMains，awholefleetofricksboredownuponhim。Heboardedone，andscrambledtothetopofit，keepingfastholdoftheendofhisline，whichunrolledfromthebarrelasheascended。Fromitspeakhesurveyedthewildscene。