Beadle's Dime Novels No. 35: East and West — page 63: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE DISCOVERY. 63 CHAPTER VIII. AN EXPLANATION. Tux wind continued unabated through the whole of that _ dsy ; and, although the water did not rise much higher, it dashed against the house threateningly, or tossed in waves “as far as eye could see.” Frank and Nat had both been successful in rescuing a few frightened and exhausted creatures, who were distributed - among such of the neighbors as were fortunate enough not to haye suffered much from the rise. They remained out as long as there was hope of helping any, and were quite - exhausted by the service. Nat, indeed, had so injured his arm by use, and cold, that he was pressed to go to bed in Mr. Willard’s room, and be doctored ; and the interest which Min- nie exhibited in his welfare, if it soothed Ais pain, did not seem to furnish comfort to Fletcher Harris. There was nothing to do, that dreary day, but to talk over the late events, and watch for some sign of better times. Toward evening the wind began to go down, to the joy of all ; for then, it was known, the flood must retire, at least to the lowlands. By night it was still, and growing warm; and the cause for apprehension being now past, the family retired early, to seek rest from their long watching and toil. On the next morning, the dawn showed the creek within its banks. There was still much water in sight, but cvicently retiring toward the river. And so for a week ; each day im- proving the condition of the prairie, though travel was still suspended, on account of the loss of bridges, and the deep water in all the sloughs. The people began to repair their | ruined homes, or to build in new places. Great anxiety was felt by some, concerning missing friends, whom they yet hoped to find alive. One day, Constance and Minnie were watching from an upper window the movements of the men constructing a new bridge across the creek. comilicbooks.com