RIVER LIFE. 221 



" It is quite wonderful, considering the suddenness and extent 

 of the rise of the water, that no more lives were lost in this vi- 

 cinity. There were some families in great peril. A family liv- 

 ing at the Point, between Brewer village and the river, were 

 alarmed by the approach of the flood, and started, several women 

 in the number, for higher land in the vicinity, but, before reach- 

 ing it, the water was up to their armpits. They reached what 

 was then an island, and were compelled to remain during the 

 night. A family living near Crosby's ship-yard could not escape, 

 and were taken off in a boat by one of the neighbors. 



"Twenty women and children, as the water flowed over the 

 plain at Brewer, fled to a school-house, but could not return, and 

 were obliged to go back upon the hills and remain until the 

 water subsided. 



" General Miller, at the post-office, with his clerks, had a cool 

 time of it. They were all at work, when the flood suddenly came 

 upon them, and filled the office to the depth of four feet. The 

 general started, and held the door for the clerks to dodge out and 

 escape up stairs ; but Calvin lingered behind for some minutes, 

 when the general called loudly to know what detained him. 



" ' Oh,' said he, wading along with the water up to his arm- 

 pits, ' I stopped for the purpose of stamping these paid letters,' at 

 the same time holding up a bundle. 



11 We are happy to add that Calvin remains perfectly civil, and 

 that in three hours alter getting into the old office yesterday 

 morning, every thing was cleaned up and business going on as 

 usual. 



"The actual amount of property lost in the city by this flood 

 is estimated by pretty good judges at between two and three 



hundred thousand dollars. This falls severely u\)o\[ some of our 

 citizens, but the heaviest Losses come upon those able to ride out 



the storm. " 



But, notwithstanding the severity of this visitation, lew traces 



