CHAP. x. A NIGHT ON THE ROCK. 159 



we are until daylight comes." Another flash of lightning 

 revealed all around us for an instant. The near thunder 

 told us the storm was approaching. " Jerome," said I, 

 " when the storm comes, we can cross ; the liehtnino; 



O O 



flashes will follow quick enough, and we can find the 



crossing." 



' It seemed a long time before the next flash came ; and 

 then we prepared to enter the water again in the direc- 

 tion to reach the opposite bank. Sitting on the edge of 

 the rock, and waiting for the next flash, we both began 

 to feel cold ; the water was like ice, being nothing but 

 melted snow. Jerome suddenly grasped me tighter, and 

 said, " The river 's rising ; we must make haste to cross, 

 or we shall be on the rock all night." Another flash came 

 at length, and showed us that the river had risen at least 

 eight inches during the last half-hour, and that it would 

 be dangerous for stone-blind men to attempt to pass. I 

 suppose the rock might be six feet square on the top, but 

 sloping, and I think it could not be ten feet above the 

 bottom of the creek. Well, we got to the top and sat 

 close together there. Flash after flash showed us how 

 the waters were rising, and the increasing roar of the 

 river became so loud that we could scarcely hear one 

 another speak. Jerome is at best a quiet man, but now 

 he scarcely spoke a word. Once and again he would bend 

 his head down to the rock, holding on tightly to me, and 

 at length he said, " The water is rising fast ; it 's within 

 three feet of us now ; let me grasp you while I try and 

 reach it with my foot. I can touch it," he said, after a 

 short trial ; " my foot is in it now. God have mercy on 

 us ! " He drew himself up again, shuddering, and we sat 



