FRIENDS IN FEATHERS 



flood covered all the fields and swamp save a few of the highest 

 places. It was above the fences, covered with floating logs and 

 debris. The bridge to the private ditch crossing Mr. Male's land 

 was lodged in the swamp against some tree-trunks. We could 

 not go on, neither could we turn around. We unhitched the 

 horse, tied him to the bridge, backed the carriage off into the 

 road, and when we thought we were far enough to miss the 

 embankment, tried to turn it. We had not gone so far as we 

 supposed, for it ran down a steep place until the water filled 

 half the bed reaching my best camera. 



With all our might we pulled and pulled but could not budge 

 it. Then we corralled some floating rails, laid them out to the 

 running gear, Molly-Cotton walked them and set the camera and 

 my waders upon the seat. Next we brought down the horse, 

 tied the lines to the tugs and to the carriage, held up the shafts, 

 and with Patience's help drew the carriage into the road, where 

 we harnessed and drove back. 



On the road leading east from town we held a consultation 

 then decided to drive over to the levee and prospect from there. 

 We turned south at the first crossing, but when we came to the 

 gate we expected to enter, the water was a foot deep. That 

 portion of the meadow lying beside the ditch was all under water, 

 but there was no current. I was doubtful about it, when Molly- 

 Cotton proposed to put on my waders and prospect. It was 

 meadow that cattle had grazed over, I had driven through it all 

 the spring, she could feel her way before her, so I consented. 

 She put on the waders, pinned up her skirts, took a water tripod, 

 and started. She wore a flaming red waist. In the midst of 

 that pool I saw she was attracting the attention of a cow of the 

 Hale herd. I did not know whether the cow would enter the 

 water, but I did know Molly-Cotton could not hurry on that 

 soggy ground, with those heavy waders; so I called to her to 



176 



